As we slowly ease back into wedding and event planning, we want to share some thoughts and advice on how you can still have the wedding celebration you dreamed of even if its with a smaller number of guest than you had originally planned.

Instead of worrying about the guest size, focus your attention on ways to elevate your guest experience.

What I love about small and intimate celebrations is you don’t have to stretch your budget. You are now able to curate every experience from floral to food, entertainment, stationery and all aspects of your wedding celebration more intimately.

Having a small wedding or celebration doesn’t make it less luxurious. Luxury is in the details. We are sharing ways to create an intimate and unforgettable wedding experience for you and your guests.

ENTERTAINMENT:

This is a great place to customize the experience for your small wedding celebration. Customize the entertainment for the day to fit your personal styles. I love the idea of a live performance as guests walk into the room – harpists or violinists are great ways to start a party on the right note.

Wedding bands and singers are other options for your dinner reception – nothing gets your friends to the dance floor and makes sure it stays packed more than live performances of some of their favorite songs.I especially love going against the traditional timeline and Inviting guests for dance sets in between dinner courses so they don’t grow tired or complacent.

You can end the night with a DJ. It’s such a fun way to wrap up the night. I advise my couples to pick a really good last song of the night to wrap up the party with a bang!

DINNING:

One of the main things people will remember about your wedding celebration is their dining experience. From cocktail hour, to dinner, and even the after-party, food is one of the most-talked-about elements of any celebration. Today, couples are applying a good portion of their spending limit on crafting creative menu options, including gourmet food stations and meal courses perfectly paired with various wines and libations. Your should not let your guests down when it comes to their meal quality or offer food so late into the reception that revelers notice their hunger.

DÉCOR SCHEME:

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. For starters, you can’t go wrong with a breathtaking grand entrance. Décor sets the tone, stirs up feelings of excitement, and forges a certain ambience.

For a curated experience, consider creating a different mood for each portion of the festivities. For example, at the ceremony you may want to use soft amber lighting and light classical music to create a romantic, ethereal feel. While for cocktail hour, jazz and signature libations can be used to establish more of a lounge vibe. When I design a room, I think of it from top to bottom, with extravagant lighting, visually stimulating centerpieces, textured linens, couture stationery, and a fabulous dance floor area.

People will always enjoy being surrounded by lush floral arrangements, so put some thought
into the varieties you choose. Consider that guests may sit at their dining tables for hours, so this is where you really want to make a statement. Play with a mix of long, square, and round tables with a unique centerpiece for each. It doesn’t have to be the tallest, grandest display ever seen, but it should reflect your taste, be interesting, and not impede the conversation of your guests.

PERSONALIZED DETAILS:

When designing an event for my clients, I am always focused on the tiny details that make all the difference. If you are having a small wedding celebration, you have a better chance of adding these special touches because of the guest size. Think about personalizing the welcome bags, dinner napkins or individual cakes for each guest. What a great and unexpected treat for your guests.

CREATIVE LIGHTING DESIGN:

Lighting is one of the best ways to transform a room. Candles always add the perfect finishing touch; however, you should also play with patterns, pinspots, and room washes, as it can take the space to a whole new level. Conversely, poor or little lighting can ruin the experience for everyone.

AFTER-PARTY:

Continue the celebration with an after-party! Here, couples typically introduce a new décor scheme and reinvent the same lounge seating, lighting, or floral fixtures from earlier in the day. Have slippers in various sizes on hand, set up creative food, drink, and dessert stations, and hire a DJ who is skilled at keeping guests involved and on the dance floor. A talented planner can help you coordinate a late-night event that continues to surprise family and friends with small details that make a big impression.

I hope you are inspired with these tips. Wedding celebrations should not be based on size but the union itself. Small celebrations should be embraced with an elevated guest experience in mind.

Happy Planning