Today’s romantic engagement shoot was sent over to us by Italian photographer Serena Cevenini. The photo shoot took place at a private residence in Italy. Here’s what Serena had to say about the engagement session:

 If I had to describe Valentina & Luca, I’d say they are beautiful souls.Valentina looks like a timeless actress, with a passion for lace dresses and a love of swimming – especially in rivers and lakes. Luca, on the other hand, is passionate about medieval fencing (he has a real armor!)  – and also knows how to choose an engagement ring!

Luca and Valentina are one of the most unique couples I’ve ever met. They both live in Tuscany and will have a beautiful and intimate wedding with only 30 guests. I absolutely cannot wait to photograph all the details!

Love travel? Why not incorporate that passion into your wedding decor? A travel-themed wedding shows off your favorite adventures, destinations and places in the world. Maps are always colorful, interesting and personal – making them perfect as wedding decor. We’ve rounded up 12 Etsy map decor ideas that we think you will love!

An easy way to add something extra to your invitations is with envelope liners, like these vintage map envelope liner by PrettyLaneWeddings.

These map favor boxes by AshleyCaitlinCrafts are made out of vintage atlases. They are a cute way to add a map motif and you can add anything you like inside the boxes.

Guests need to know where they are going and something like this hand drawn wedding map by AmyMadeCreations will show them the way. Map out your wedding locations, venue and city.

Show everyone how much you love traveling by using a globe as your guest book! Have guests sign their  name directly on the globe.  You can find this globe on Etsy at PrettyLittleDooDads.

Go all U.S.A themed for your wedding with these map paper flowers by lilleyster made out of U.S.A maps. They would work as table decorations, as a bouquet or on gifts.

There is such thing as a “map geek” and someone who loves maps would definitely love this map bunting by PeonyandThistle. The flags are made from colorful world maps.

Choose a map of your favorite place, city or destination and have guests sign it. This  guest book print is by FrannyandFranky

You can make almost anything out of maps, including luminaries. Luminaries, such as these map luminaries by OldendDesigns, are made out of paper with candles inside to light a path or table.

These printable table numbers by TheRusticBerry look like they are made from maps, but they are actually printable table numbers so you can get the map effect with little effort.

This map confetti by sewlovetheday definitely looks fun, and can be sprinkled on tables or something your guests can throw as you make your getaway.

Anyone who is in a long-distance relationship knows the travel involved. Commemorate your travel-packed love story with a custom map by HereandThereShop.

Everyone needs a travel journal. If you’re having a destination wedding, something like these mini travel journals by IstriaDesign would be amazing for guests to jot down their experience.

*This post includes Etsy Affiliate links

Going to the spa is always a good idea. However, skin treatments, massages and manicures are not always so great on the budget. For a bridal shower, bridal luncheon or girls’ day out, try some spa treatments at home with some DIY spa ideas. We’ve picked a few things from Etsy that will help to pamper and delight you and your bridesmaids.

We featured these kimono robes on a recent bridesmaid gifts blog post because they truly are fabulous for gifts, getting ready and a spa day. This bridesmaid’s kimono robe set by silkandmore is the perfect way to start a spa day.

This eucalyptus  bath bomb by theblacksheepsoapcompany will sure to be a hit. Your friends can take the bath bombs home to enjoy later on in a nice, relaxing bath.

Just like pens, chapstick is that kind of souvenir you always need. This set of personalized chapstick by ModParty are all natural and infused with organic oils and shea butter, plus you can personalize them however you would like.

Although these look more suited for the bride herself, bridesmaids could definitely all have their own pair too as something to wear to rest their feet. These personalized flip flops by nycweddingshop have custom rhinestone initials.

Enjoy samples or try a different variety of bath and beauty products at your spa bridal shower, or give everyone a set to take home, like this bath and beauty gift set by EvyJoandCo.

Of course, you need to invite everyone to the shower in style too, like with this soothing, watercolor spa bridal shower invitation by emilyedsondesign.

This sleep mask gift set by GoiaBoutique is inspired by Breakfast at Tiffany’s and has that glamour and luxury feel of wearing a satin sleep mask.

If your throwing a spa bridal shower, you will most likely need towels around. Give everyone their own monogrammed towel wraps by DesignWithinYou as a gift.

Leave a few products on the tables at your bridal shower for people to use or take home, like these spa gift sets with lip balms and bath salts by LittleFlowerSoapCo.

Wouldn’t it be fun to try out a bunch of temporary tattoos at your bridal shower, like this large floral temporary tattoo by Tattoorary? It’s a grown up twist on those fun tattoos from your childhood sleepover days.

*This post includes Etsy Affiliate links

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Since immigrating to the Caribbean in 2011, Marianne and Luke had not seen many of their friends and family in three years. Their wedding day was an opportunity to spend as much quality time with their loved ones as possible!

The couple planned their Languedoc wedding from over 5000 miles away, enlisting the help of their guests to pull it off. Despite the challenges they faced, they were rewarded with the fun and intimate wedding that they envisioned – complete with a music festival vibe, garden games, great french food, and bottles of decadent Laurent Perrier Rosé.

Special thanks to the guys from Nordica Photography for sending us all the gorgeous photos from Marianne and Luke’s Southern France wedding so we could share them with you today!

Marianne & Luke

Colobières Sur Orb, Languedoc, France

Wedding Date: May 25, 2014

Number of Guests: 65

Wedding Cost: $33,000 USD

Wedding Ceremony Location: Chateau de Colombières, Colombières sur Orb

Wedding Reception Location: same venue as the ceremony

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We immigrated to the Caribbean in 2011 and we had not seen many of our friends and family for 3 years, so we wanted an opportunity to catch up with all of them. We wanted an intimate, festival-like vibe and to have everybody involved in some way, and that is exactly what we got. We have good friends who have experience setting up music festivals, so we thought if we got everybody involved, we could do it all ourselves.

What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

Dealing with seating plan politics was probably the hardest thing! Seriously though, we had to plan it all and coordinate it from 5,000 miles away so we had to place of lot of trust in our friends and in strangers. In the end, they all came through. We planned the whole thing ourselves, but it was so rewarding on the day. Lack of sleep ahead of the big day was the only other issue!

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

No, there were a couple of extra people we could have invited, but we had a budget and a cost per head for the catering, so it was pretty easy. One of the benefits of having a small guest list was that almost everybody we invited came – only three guests couldn’t make it.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

No, we invited close friends and family, and everybody respected our wishes

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

Saying the actual vows “through the good times and the bad” was very moving. Everybody has heard them before, but actually saying them was very special, and of course the first kiss was a highlight.

My brother was the bishop presiding over the ceremony and he delivered a very personal rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, with the kind of tongue in cheek humor that only a sibling can muster. It set the mood for the reception perfectly.

And then the music as we walked back down the aisle together (Could you be Loved by Bob Marley) and the roar of applause and being covered with confetti was great.

What were the highlights of the reception? 

Fun was definitely the order of the day with garden games such as giant jenga, and a caricaturist to produce Hollywood style drawings of our guests. We had great fun the days ahead of the wedding with a few of our guests tasting and buying regional wine and bubbly from the local vineyards, and serving Laurent Perrier Rosé with the evening meal as our touch of decadence. The French are renowned for their quality of food and we had no difficulties sourcing local caterers to create lip-smacking regional delights such as monkfish and lamb, topped off with the most sumptuous croquembouche (traditional French wedding cake made of a profiterol tower with fresh caramel) for dessert.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

Getting to spend some quality time with friends and family we do not see often. Most guests were there for three days at least and we had the opportunity to catch up with them all properly. We have been to many a wedding where you kiss the bride and say congratulations and then that’s it – we wanted to see everybody properly.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Do it (but get saving and pray for sunshine)! We really wanted to feel relaxed on the day, so having a smaller intimate group was perfect. We found a venue that had accommodation for 50% of the guests, so not only did it mean that we were with everybody all the time, but it also helped massively with the cost of the venue, which gave us a bigger budget for champagne (and photography!).

We wed on a Sunday and 99% of the guests arrived on Friday night, meaning that they all had a chance to relax and get acquainted, which is exactly what we wanted. By the time the ceremony rolled around, everybody was in such a good mood. The guests had the option of staying from Friday until the following Saturday, and many stayed on for the following week to enjoy a break in the south of France with us.

Vendors:

Photography: Nordica 

Wedding Dress: White Leaf Bridal

Wedding Suit (Groom): Moschino, Woodies of Brighton

Caricaturist: Caricatures4u

Venue: Gites de Charme

Wedding Rings: Anna Sheffield

Wedding Cake: A L’heure des Thés

Events Coordinator: Fai Watu ltd.

Champagne: Envie de Champagne

Potted and Fresh Flowers: locally sourced at Pezenas Saturday market  

Make-up Artist: Adelys Institut

Live Band: Carpentras Brothers – local band, sourced by the Event Coordinator

DJ: Shadow Sanctuary

Naturally, introverted couple Sarah and Tim simply weren’t interested in a large or traditional style wedding. Rather, they were looking for something a little more laid-back and spontaneous when it came to their own nuptials. They chose to have an intimate ceremony, complete with a ring warming, along the Shepherd Nature Trail in North Carolina’s Duke Forest surrounded by 23 of their closest family and friends followed by a casual restaurant reception. Dropped rings, impromptu speeches, and a broken dress strap due to too much hugging – while being possible disasters in the eyes of some brides and grooms – only added to the memorable nature and intimacy of Sarah and Tim’s perfect wedding day.

A big thank you to Carolyn Scott for sharing all the wonderful photos of Sarah and Tim’s special day with us!

Sarah, 30 & Tim, 30

Durham, NC

Wedding Date: May 22, 2015

Number of Guests: 23

Wedding Cost: just under $6,000 (including ceremony and reception costs as well as our wedding rings, wedding attire, and an Airbnb rental for the long weekend)

Wedding Ceremony Location: Shepherd Nature Trail at Duke Forest

Wedding Reception Location: Rue Cler Restaurant

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We are individually, and as a couple, pretty introverted, so having a small wedding was always a likely option for us. It was important to us to create an atmosphere that represented our relationship and also provided us the opportunity to spend quality time with the family and friends who would be there. Neither one of us is particularly traditional, so the idea of having a big wedding with all the conventional trappings did not appeal to us. During the planning process, we read about Pop Wed Co. and the idea of a small ceremony with a laid back, spontaneous feeling really resonated with us, so this served as our guide as we planned our wedding.

What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

Letting go of traditional notions of how a wedding should be was the hardest part for us. It actually took us a little while to commit to the idea of a non-traditional wedding because we had questions, ourselves, about how to manage a small wedding. For example, Tim was worried that I might regret having a small wedding that did not include some of our closest friends. While the internet is full of traditional wedding etiquette and advice, most of that didn’t seem to be relevant to what we had in mind. So, we just had to go with our instincts and trust that our family and friends, those who attended and those who didn’t, would support us.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Once we determined that we were going to have a small wedding, it wasn’t hard to settle on the appropriate guest list. We decided it would be immediate family and a few mutual friends who still live in the Durham area. Since I have a much larger family, and it was important to Tim to have a few extended family members present, there ended up being a mix of immediate and extended family.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

Some of our extended family members were disappointed they were not a part our wedding day. My dad and stepmom offered to host a reception for the family and friends who would not be there on the day of our wedding which we hoped would help them feel included and loved.

I have three very close friends from high school (who actually introduced me to Tim!) and because I’d been (or would soon be) in each of their weddings, I wrote each of them a letter explaining what we had decided and why they would not be part of this occasion. These friends, and others, were very supportive and sent lots of love and good wishes on the day of our ceremony. We were so grateful for the texts and cards, and gifts from our friends and family who were thinking of us from afar!

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

We spent a lot of time crafting our ceremony with the help of our friend Becky who did an amazing job as our officiant. Neither of us is particularly religious, so we wanted a secular ceremony that felt meaningful, but not too traditional. In our research, we came across a ring warming ceremony, in which guests pass the wedding rings and offer a blessing, imbuing the rings with good energy and wishes. This ended up being one of the most touching parts of the ceremony for us and, we think, for our guests. Watching these people who love us, and who we love, take a moment to pass their positive thoughts and energy into our rings was so lovely. The other memorable moment was when we dropped my ring (heavy with good wishes) as we were preparing to exchange the rings! Since we were standing over a creek, there was a collective inhale as we all waited to see how the ring bounced (luckily, it bounced the right way). It was funny, and touching, and contributed to the spontaneity of the ceremony – something we had envisioned.

What were the highlights of the reception?

We held the reception at Rue Cler, a restaurant in downtown Durham, and the food, wine and champagne were certainly a highlight for us. Rue Cler did such a great job of putting together a menu that incorporated our tastes and what we wanted to share with our guests – a little piece of North Carolina. One of the other highlights was when Tim’s mom and my youngest brother each gave toasts, which was unexpected and very touching. One of the most memorable anecdotes from the reception was when my dress strap broke as a result of too much hugging (the dress is a 1950s vintage dress). We took that as a good sign and the restaurant staff came to the rescue with some scotch tape.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

We have been to a few, larger and more traditional weddings since we had our own ceremony and we have shared fleeting moments of doubt wondering if we should have done things differently. Those thoughts passed quickly, however, because our day was perfect for us. The planning leading up to the wedding and the day itself were low stress. Because we only had twenty-three guests, we got to spend time with everyone – we even hosted a casual lunch at our airBnB home on the afternoon of our wedding day. An intimate wedding helped us keep the focus on the awesome commitment we were making to one another and share that experience with the family and friends who were with us.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Sarah says: Trust that the people who you love and care about, both those that you invite as well as those who will not be there in person, will support you.

Tim says: Do what’s right for you – the one off the rack doesn’t always fit.

Also, spring for a photographer. We so appreciated how Carolyn and Geoff captured the story our of wedding for those who weren’t there to experience it in person! 

Vendors:

Sarah’s Dress: Treasury

Tim’s Attire: Suitsupply

Hair: Rock Paper Scissor (Sarah); Trim (Tim)

Makeup: Attraction Makeup

Photography: Carolyn Scott Photography

Wedding pies: Scratch Bakery

Reception: Rue Cler