Looking for DIY ideas for your wedding program? Check out this free wedding template by Aylee Designs. Here are the instructions for the fan wedding program. Before you attempt it, please read the comments below the instructions on the website for some helpful info.

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This wedding took place in 2006, but it was still worth featuring. I love the Chicago skyline backdrop and the lovely U-shaped reception table – sans tent!

Sandra, 34 & Ian, 39

Chicago, IL

Wedding Date: June 4, 2006

Number of Guests: 40

Wedding Cost: $12,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Promontory Point  in Chicago, Il. We chose to have our ceremony on the lawn right next to Lake Michigan.

Wedding Reception Location: Also Promontory Point on the patio of the field house.

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We wanted to have a memorable wedding with only those that are truly close to us.  This meant immediate family, best friends and a select few others that could not be missed.

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

Limiting the guest list because we did not want to offend or alienate anyone.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Yes, we had to go over it multiple times and put our foot down on a couple of occasions when relatives tried to invite others.

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

We did have a few people that wanted to invite more people.  We kindly made our feelings known and insisted that the main wish for our wedding was to have an intimate wedding and did not want to feel pressured to do otherwise.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

It was an amazing day.  Because it was a small and intimate wedding we were able to involve everyone in the ceremony.  For example we had guests read poems that they composed for the occasion. Also, we adapted a Mexican tradition of the coin ceremony so that multiple guests would hold and bring coins forth at the appropriate time. And we had a garland surrounding during the ceremony with the name of every guest attached to it.  We had a tribute to our deceased grandparents in which family tied their names to the garland.

The location was also perfect for a small wedding because we were able to select a spot for the ceremony at the end of the point that offered a perfect view of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.  The space worked because we had a small number of guests.

What were the highlights of the reception?

Here again we were able to personalize every aspect of the reception because it was an intimate wedding.  For example for our favors we hand-painted cappuccino cups with each person’s name and included a special message for each guest.  We were able to display pictures of special moments of each of our guest’s lives (wedding day, births etc…).  We were able to take a group photo of the whole wedding.

The U-shaped table that seated everybody was decorated beautifully and very appropriate for the venue and season.  It was nice to be able to see everyone at the table and to be able to spend quality time with every guest.   The size also allowed for some guests to surprise us with performances.  While this was not our plans, these moments turned out to be truly special and some of the most memorable.  The best man, for example, performed a song with guitar that he wrote for our wedding.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

The whole ambiance of the occasion perfectly suited our personalities.  It was also nice that  we were able to spend quality time with each guest and we remember everyone that was there.  We had fun at our wedding and did not stress one bit!

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

Go for it and don’t let the family and friends that wish to expand it take control.  You will be so glad in the end.

Vendors:

Photographer: Amanda Hein Photography

Catering: Blue Plate Catering

Cake: Tipsycake

Flowers: The Flower Firm

Venue: Promontory Point  in Chicago, Il.

Musicians were hired individually.

Photos:  Amanda Hein Photography

Are you an artsy type? Why not have your wedding reception at an art gallery?

A few years ago, art gallery weddings were about as fringe as Mohawk hairdos. But as popularity of more personalized and intimate weddings has risen, so has the need for unique venues. Art galleries across North America have quickly caught on and many are now marketing themselves as ideal places to hold a wedding reception.

Both large and small galleries offer rental space for weddings – and many offer full blown wedding packages. If you are more the DIY type, there are plenty of galleries that will let you ‘have at it’ for your wedding day.

Christian and Elizabeth found a gallery near their hometown that was a perfect spot for their 64-guest Christmas-themed reception.

“I am very big into the arts,” says Elizabeth.

The Historic Arts Centre of Tolland in Tolland, CT is not just a home to some great local art, the building itself is a feast for the eyes.

“The museum was unbelievable the first time we walked into it. It has huge windows … the tin ceiling was spectacular and also original to the building. The wood floors were perfect for dancing and the two huge colonial chandeliers were the perfect centerpiece for the room,” says Elizabeth. “To top it off, there was art from local artists throughout the building. Many of the pieces were landscapes of the towns we grew up in.”

Elizabeth says the cost of renting the space was only $500. However, the couple had to handle all of the reception essentials like chair, table and linen rentals. They also decorated the venue themselves – which was easy because of the Christmas theme.

“The night before my wedding we had our rehearsal dinner at the art gallery. My wedding party, parents and Christian’s aunt and uncle all worked together to decorate the hall. We had pizza, beer and goodies as well as Christmas music to make it a fun atmosphere,” she says. “Aside from catering and flowers, we did everything ourselves. I believe that is one of the reasons my wedding was so special. I knew exactly the amount of effort that went into everything.”

Elizabeth says that prior to dinner, guests toured the gallery space, canapés and cocktails in hand.

“People really enjoyed it … It added a personal touch. A few of the guests were even inquiring about purchasing some pieces,” she says.

If you are looking for art gallery space to have your reception, contact local art galleries to see if they are available. Even if a gallery doesn’t advertise rental space for weddings, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re not open to the idea.

Some questions to ask:

· How many guests can the venue accommodate?
· How many washrooms are there?
· Do you supply tables, chairs and linens?
· What about a caterer?
· Is alcohol allowed?
· Can we have music? What about a live band?
· Will guests be allowed to tour the venue? What if they want to make a purchase?
· How many hours are included in the rental?
· Is there ample parking?
· Are there any limitations on decorating the venue?
· Do you have pictures of past weddings held at the gallery?

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Having a brunch wedding reception or a lunch reception is a great way to cut reception costs.

There are several advantages to having your reception earlier in the day. One of the biggest is cost. A brunch reception is generally less expensive than dinner. Also, if the wedding venue is a popular one, you might have a better chance finding an opening earlier in the day.

If you are having a buffet brunch reception or luncheon, chances are your guests aren’t going to drink as much as they would at an evening reception. If you choose to serve alcohol, wine and champagne are all that is necessary, although some couples still choose to have an open bar with mixed drinks available.

Another advantage of having a brunch wedding reception is that it is generally shorter than a later reception. Some couples prefer this to having a drawn out evening event.

Jan and Mike wanted a simple wedding, without dancing, so they chose to have a lunch reception at a restaurant/converted train car.

“I have always been an avoider of the limelight. (I) never enjoyed big weddings … with all the protocol, receiving lines etc … I wanted to feel relaxed but still wanted to be the bride,” says Jan.

Because of her love of trains, the café they chose was a perfect fit.

“I wanted something different. I have been to so many horrible weddings in legion halls … I wanted people to have a decent lunch,” says Jan, who adds that they chose to have a buffet style hot chicken lunch with salads and cheese and fruit trays.

Just because you are having an earlier reception, doesn’t mean it can’t be as elegant as an evening soiree.

Lynette and Charles, who got married inside a Phoenix mansion, had an elaborate brunch reception which included iced jumbo shrimp, a carving station with prime rib, an omelet station, and eggs benedict – among many other choices.

The couple did not want dancing at their reception, so they had Christmas carolers, as well as a harpist provide the music for the afternoon. They also decided to forego the bouquet toss and the garter toss.

“We wanted to make our day more memorable with the carolers and harp, than bore the guests with the typical reception activities,” says Lynette.

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It’s time to show off those creative DIY wedding projects you’ve been working on and cash in! Amber over at Do It Yourself Weddings is holding a contest for the best DIY wedding tutorial. What about the loot, you ask? Among the prizes are $100, $75, $50, $25 gift certificates from Amazon.com. Contest ends March 31. While you’re at it, why not enter this DIY wedding contest over at VintageGlam?

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