The Season of Intimate Weddings
The Season of intimate weddings
The events industry has taken a mammoth tumble over the last few months with the lockdown restrictions put in place. It’s been hard for our clients who were looking to host events that have had to be cancelled, particularly weddings. We all know how long it takes to plan a wedding; the hours you spend dreaming about how perfect it is going to be and then, BOOM, the world has a pandemic and all your plans are put on hold.
Do you delay until the following year and have the huge party you dreamt of? Or do you downscale, go for a small, intimate wedding that can still give you a gorgeous day with the people you love the most? Cue 2020, the Season of small and intimate weddings.
With guidelines looking likely that small gatherings will be allowed later in the year, for those aiming to get married July onwards, downscaling and creating a small wedding, may just be the key.
Benefits to an ‘Intimate Wedding’
- You are not going to upset anyone. Choosing your guests when have a small wedding is easier and people will be more understanding. You won’t feel guilty when unable to invite family friends who you’ve not seen for years and equally, not having the space to invite all your work colleagues won’t make you the big bad wolf when you return from your honeymoon.
- It’s easier to manage. Arranging a seating plan for 50 people, moving from church to reception, serving dinner – all are made easier when there are fewer people.
- You and your guests will have more time to talk! The day will be all yours and long lunches mean quality time to talk.
- An outdoor wedding at home can be so beautiful and unique. Our Sperry and Tipi tents can fit in spaces from 10m x 13m, meaning that smallish gardens can turn into the most unique wedding venue. And with current guidance, outdoors is the safest place for you and your guests to be.
- Less guests means more money for the extras you couldn’t originally afford! Did you want a food truck in the evening as well as the three-course dinner? Was the glitter ball and light up dance floor on your original list before you had to cull the budget? Did you dream of shepherd’s crooks with festoons lighting up the whole field? All of these options will be possible when having a small wedding.
And last minute doesn’t always mean second best. With so many weddings and events postponed around the country, you may just end up with a bargain from a supplier you couldn’t originally get your hands on. Use the advice and contacts from your wedding planner or the company you are working with the closest (see PapaKåta’s little black book for some amazing suppliers).
Word from the experts
One of our favourite Wedding Planners in the south of England, Natalie Hewitt, is already planning a wedding that has gone from 200 people to 30. Natalie explained that the challenge is achievable. “I have spoken to many of my brides in the last few weeks and it is heart-breaking to hear them say they have had to postpone to 2021/22. But for some, this simply isn’t an option with plans to move house, have babies or travel the world next year, creating an intimate wedding this year becomes a necessity. The couple I’m currently working with has retained six suppliers. who we created a shared calendar with. so that we can all see which weekends we can and can’t do to help make choosing a date once restrictions are lifted, that much simpler. We have even found a vicar to read the bands. It just goes to show that people will always do their best to help, so don’t be afraid to ask!”.
Helen Davies, one of our favourite Wedding Planners in North Yorkshire also explains how intimate weddings can work better for some guests. “There has been a real resurgence of the outdoor wedding, with brides wanting to ensure the safety of their guests by holding the majority of the wedding outdoors but many people don’t know where to start with this. Since the lockdown began, I have been offering my knowledge and advice free of charge to any couple who are struggling to get to grips with the guidelines. Even a couple from Norway called me the other day!”. Helen went on to explain that she has always been an advocate of intimate and outdoor weddings, “You get to pay more attention to the detail with fewer guests, and can be really creative when using tipis or sperry tents. Long gone are the days of having only a white marquee as an outdoor option. There are so many venues that look amazing with a tipi or sperry structure attached to them to give you the needed space to make your wedding fabulous.”
Get in touch!
Thanks so much to Helen and Natalie for your contribution! You can contact them at: hello@nataliehewitt.co.uk / helen@withhelendavies.com
Contact us on 01904 702100 / tellmemore@papakata.co.uk, we’d love to hear from you. And we have bases in York, Henley on Thames and Perth in Scotland – so very happy to travel!
For an instant quote, please visit quotemepapa.papakata.co.uk
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