There has been a huge increase in couples looking to hold their wedding celebrations on a smaller scale, so here are some ideas and inspiration to help you plan your celebration and also to offer some clarification and alleviate concerns you may have.
So what size of wedding are you considering? Firstly, a small wedding is typically classed as up to 50 guests although a micro wedding is deemed to be fewer than 20 guests. A medium sized wedding typically has between 50-150 guests.
An elopement is even smaller and often more secretive with typically only the couple, their two witnesses, an officiant and maybe a photographer. A Celebrant elopement can be even more intimate having no requirement for witnesses.
Why are small weddings popular?
A small wedding most definitely has its benefits; even before the global pandemic, micro weddings have been growing in popularity and there are a number of reasons for this. Many couples prefer a more relaxed and intimate celebration of their love and commitment to each other with family and closest friends, whilst still keeping all the special and perhaps traditional elements albeit on smaller, more affordable and less stressful scale.
Of course, the cost of living crises has also led to couples reviewing and re-prioritising where to spend their hard earned cash. Although, perhaps, you had always envisaged having a big wedding, this is now the perfect opportunity to bring the focus back to the two of you and your relationship by making the ceremony the heart of your day and the beautiful moment when you make the ultimate commitment to each other and secure your union before your core supporters.
I am also finding that some of international couples are choosing to scale back their weddings celebrations. One of my lovely couples live in Australia; the Bride is Australian and the Groom is English. To save their families and elderly grandparents having to make the long journey across the globe and to allow both families to be a part of their celebrations, they chose to hold two intimate ceremonies.
Photographer Credit: Jade Greenbrooke Photography | Venue: Chiddingstone Castle
They held a beautiful, legal ceremony in Sydney with the Bride’s family and then flew to the UK to hold a stunning, intimate celebrant-led ceremony with the Groom’s family in the beautiful Chiddingstone Castle Orangery. The Bride’s parents also joined them from Australia and the Bride’s proud father escorted his beautiful daughter down the aisle.
The guest seating had been arranged in a curve around the Orangery ceremony area, allowing them to feel surrounded by everyone’s love. Once the ceremony was complete, everyone enjoyed celebratory drinks on the lawns, followed by a wedding breakfast in a local restaurant complete with a champagne tower! It was so special, very memorable and just perfect for them.
Save money or splash out?
Scaling back the number of guests does not mean having to compromise on atmosphere and style. You can still have the wedding of your dreams, however, smaller numbers allows you to save money on food and drink and all the other additional costs often associated with a wedding; favours, decorations, flowers and large numbers of guests.
A small wedding also allows you to really go to town and elevate your choices, making the whole celebration an amazing luxury experience should you wish.
Choosing your wedding venue
Fewer number of guests also expands the venue options available to you, you can now consider a full range of wedding venues including the smaller, more intimate establishments. Some of the larger venues may also have options which lend themselves to small, intimate weddings, so it is worth discussing with the events team.
Photographer: Jade Greenbrooke Photography | Venue: Chiddingstone Castle
There are some wonderful options available for small weddings and receptions, so take your time in deciding what would work for you. Depending on the time of year, you may wish to hold all your celebrations outdoors and there are some really wonderful outdoor wedding venues available.
However if you are looking to hold your wedding in the cooler months, there are also some absolute gems. You may have had your heart set on holding your wedding ceremony in a castle, this can still be possible for a small wedding; Hever Castle offers two indoor ceremony areas for up to 60 guests in The Castle Inner Hall and also the Tudor Suite, both areas are incredible! I have also delivered a small wedding ceremony with 40 guests in the Italian Gardens Loggia in late September.
Unlike many overseas destinations, in the UK, the weather can be rather unpredictable, so although in the summer months, there is more chance of the sun making an appearance and drier, warmer days, it is highly advisable to have a back-up plan by ensuring that an indoor or undercover option is available in the event the weather is not so favourable!
To ensure your wedding ceremony is meaningful and memorable, it is worth considering the option of a Celebrant-led wedding ceremony. By completing the legal element with a Registrar separately, you are free to have a beautiful and unique Celebrant ceremony, written for you, which can be held in the location of your choice, perhaps making the most of your venue’s lovely gardens or views and also in unlicensed venues.
This is also a great option if a Registrar is not available or taking bookings for your preferred ceremony date or time.
Smaller numbers also makes the possibility of a DIY wedding more appealing; you could consider holding your wedding in a family garden, a woodland, a field or on a farm, which could also give guests the opportunity to camp over-night rather than the big outlay for a hotel.
There are so many wonderful options available to you, allowing you the versatility and freedom to create a truly bespoke experience for any size of ceremony.
There are also a number of beautiful venues that offer land for hire, allowing you plenty of time to prepare for your big day. Refer to the venues section on my website for a wonderful selection of venues in Surrey, Sussex and Kent.
What is the format of a small or micro wedding?
Your wedding can take any format you like; it can be as traditional or as relaxed and informal as you wish. You may decide to hold your wedding ceremony at a place of worship, or book a Registrar to attend at a licensed venue.
It is also worth exploring the option of an intimate, personalised, tailor-made Celebrant ceremony; sharing your story and declaring your love and commitment to each other in the presence of those dearest to you is particularly special and meaningful. There are also a number of beautiful symbolic ceremonies that you might consider which could involve members of the wedding party, your children or all of your guests.
It is entirely up to you whether you include all the traditional elements of a larger wedding reception such as the formal cutting of the wedding cake, the throwing of the brides bouquet, the confetti shot and the first dance. There are no rules and no pressure so you can create your dream wedding day that reflects your style and vision.
Of course, with fewer mouths to feed, you will most probably need to scale back on the size of your wedding cake. Here are some beautiful designs created for smaller, more intimate weddings.
Photographer Credit: Jade Greenbrooke Photography | Venue: Chiddingstone Castle
More time …
The most wonderful part of a smaller wedding is that you have more time … more time with your loved ones, more time to enjoy the food and drink, more time to relax and soak up the amazing atmosphere, more time to enjoy the entertainment and most importantly, more time for each other.
If you would like to find out more about how wonderfully romantic, unique and beautiful a Celebrant Wedding ceremony can be, then please get in touch for a relaxed chat, it would be fantastic to hear from you.
Perfect Words make perfect memories
Contact Nikki
With thanks to the following wonderful suppliers for their contributions:-