OK, so 2020 may have scuppered your original vision of your Wedding Day. Large Wedding reception gatherings and filled dance floors may not be possible right now but I want you to know that you can still have an AMAZING Wedding Day with 15 people. Small, intimate, micro – whatever you want to call them, the main event stays exactly the same; your Wedding Ceremony; the day that you will both unite, make your vows and commit to spending the rest of your life together.

I can also tell you that at that moment, when you are facing one another, holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes, saying those ‘I do’s’, you won’t know if there are 15 other people in that room or 15000 because there will be only one person you are focussed on. 

In case you need any more convincing, here are my top reasons for small but mighty Weddings.

Select guest lists

For many couples planning a wedding, choosing a guest list can be one of the more stressful parts.

‘ Kids or no kids’

‘ If we have their kids then we will have to have theirs too’, 

‘ How can we have your Aunt Sally (who isn’t actually your aunt but just been called it since you were little) and not invite my Uncle Albert (even though we haven’t seen them since 2006)’

‘ And don’t forget all the office people ( all 18 of them albeit you only socialise with a handful outside of work) 

Does this all sound familiar? And when you are looking at spending a lot of money per head for these people to attend the wedding it is unsurprising that it creates tension. 

At an intimate wedding, with only 15 people allowed, you will suddenly become very clear on those people that you truly want to share that beautiful experience with.

One of my favourite micro weddings was that of Emily & Adrian who married in front of their children and two other family members at The Archbishops Palace, Maidstone – perfect!

Budget

By this I don’t mean that you will be able to do it on the cheap. I mean that you can redistribute that healthy budget you had for 75 people and indulge in things that you couldn’t previously prioritise for your special 15. Go for the next tier up for the Wedding Breakfast meal choice, add some bubbles during your speeches, book those amazing props you originally wanted but decided you couldn’t afford, get that amazing floral arch installation you only dreamed of, have the engagement shoot you wanted but couldn’t stretch to or keep a little budget back to order a stunning album to showcase your gorgeous memories after the Wedding.

Relax

For some people the thought of being the centre of attention for the whole day is actually the stuff of nightmares and the anxiety can mean being unable to eat breakfast in the morning, a nervous tummy and not actually feeling particularly grand during the buildup. The experience that I have had from photographing smaller, more intimate Weddings since lockdown has been that couples are far more relaxed beforehand. Anyone that has followed me for a while will know that I am 100% about couples feeling completely relaxed on their day. It shouldn’t be stressful! It should be full of excited anticipation and joy and with only your closest family and very best friends I guarantee that these feelings will come far more easily to you. 

You will also get the chance to spend time with everyone there and engage in meaningful conversation with them. I hear so many couples say that they didn’t get the chance to speak to certain people on their day which I always think is a shame. 

Louise and Jim shared their day with their closest friends and family at The Secret Garden, a perfect venue for an intimate ceremony.

Marry now party later

We don’t know how long restrictions will mean that the larger weddings we previously considered normal will be out of the question. Think of the Wedding Day being in two parts; the gorgeous Ceremony with your special and very select guest list, becoming legally married and a beautiful Wedding Breakfast. And then the evening reception which can be held at a date to be confirmed, when it can look and feel exactly how you imagined it would be, no longer trying to shoehorn it all into one occasion. 

Ally & Joe had their Church Ceremony in August but are still planning their reception for next year. Their reception venue is stunning and it will be perfect celebration of their marriage and it’s great that they still have that part to look forward to. Oh and I get to take tonne more portraits of them which makes me very happy!

You get to do it twice

I can’t think of anything better than being able to get ready, dressed up, feel all that excitement all over again. You could have a renewal of vows, a humanist ceremony celebrant or even just get your closest friends to conduct a ceremony for you that is completely unique to you both. And you could even mix it up a little for Part II; wear your DM’s or Converse rather than the heels and brogues, choose the down hairstyle rather than the up style you had on the day. Forget the sit down meal and have an awesome evening buffet or choose your favourite take out. I shot a Wedding recently and their Wedding breakfast was a Wagamama’s! I can’t think of a better choice personally. 

Another of my recent couples, Kate and Adrian originally planned a Vegas Wedding this year. They 100% still plan to have that day but have put it on hold for now. But in the meantime they didn’t want to wait to become Husband and Wife anymore so had a secret ceremony with just their witnesses present. They said the relief they felt at no longer stressing about when they could have their dream day was immense. Kate bought a different dress for the secret ceremony so that the original plan, WHEN it happens, will still be the main event witnessed by all the people she wants there.

Kate and Adrian married at Mansion House in Tunbridge Wells in the smallest ceremony I have photographed to date. It was as gorgeous as they were.

Your Wedding suppliers are 100% focussed on making imminent Weddings all the more special, unique and memorable than ever before. We are an industry up against it at the moment but our love and dedication to Weddings and our couples whose days we are part of is still as strong as ever. Talk to us to get ideas about making your day really something to remember. Embrace this opportunity to really create a Wedding Day of your dreams.

If you are looking to go ahead with a smaller, gorgeously intimate Wedding and are looking for a photographer to capture the warmth and joy, get in touch. I offer a wedding photography package perfect for smaller intimate Weddings including 4 hours coverage, my relaxed, warm and happy unobtrusive style and guidance through the day and a stunning online gallery that you can share with friends and family for £1095. You can find out more about my prices here or ask for my full investment guide here.