By, Copper & Carlyle.
So far 2020 has forced all of us into rewriting rules and traditions arounds weddings and events. So often I hear my couples who have had to reschedule their nuptials asking how they can create intimate weddings that still feel personal to them once guidelines allow receptions to resume for small numbers.
Intimate weddings can be just as relevant and even more personal with just a little intentional tweaking and makes for an even more personalised experience for you and your guests. Small gestures can make big differences and you can find your day ends up leaving even more indelible memories as they’re so unique in some rewritten traditions you’d have been unable to focus on in ‘the good old days!’
If you’ve chosen a venue like Huntsmill Farm you can now comfortably accommodate your entire wedding party onsite, as opposed to guests travelling far and wide to join you, which makes for a much more personal event, and is a wonderful way to ensure the celebrations are extra magical.
Creative occasional seating around your venue (whether it be outdoors or inside) is often a luxury that space doesn’t afford, however to create intimacy within your venue if your head count is reduced, consider styling it with small lounge areas designed to evoke either an informal boho area with bamboo furniture and floor cushions, or a formal drawing room with velvet chairs, rugs, and side tables. This can be created with socially distanced spacing – without the need for yellow and black chevron tape on the floor, or catching up with loved ones at an awkward distance around the bar. You can feel your hosting your nearest and dearest from the comfort of your own home. Draw on the surroundings of the venue by cohesively including the style and colour scheme of your day by adding touches such as small bud vases of blooms from your florist on side tables, beautifully coloured tapered candles, arrangements of scatter cushions that reflect the general style of your day. Meaningful luxury is key to achieving quality without quantity!
Your budget can be proportioned greater per head and it doesn’t need to be in ways that break the bank. Personalisation can continue with hand calligraphy on custom name place boxes your guests can keep or use something other than paper. Fill the space with props that truly reflect you both, your story, your adventures, hobbies, family heirlooms or career choices. U shape seating for dining is also a way of bringing everyone together socially, and have you considered a ‘sweetheart’ top table for two? Enjoy your first meal together as a married couple, without feeling your traditional top table suddenly accounts for a third of your entire guest list leaving the room feeling suddenly very bare.
Rather than working around the constraints of social distancing when walking down the aisle (which comes up a lot as a frustration these days) take the opportunity for these unprecedented times to kick off your traditional heels, and be unique! Who is to say your partner can’t be the one who enters last and greets you and your father (or whoever has been given the honour of giving you away) at the alter? Rules are being rewritten by the day this year – be empowered to rewrite some of your own plans and feel proud that you embraced the opportunity to be unique!
Good luck and embrace the new!
Nickie x
