Intimate weddings have not always been a normal thing. In fact, before the COVID-19 pandemic, they were actually looked down upon!

As an elopement and intimate wedding photographer, I have made it my purpose to draw attention to the benefits of having a smaller wedding. I guess my hope is to normalize the intimate wedding scene and maybe even inspire more people to join the more non-traditional side of things!

From big and traditional, to personalized and intimate weddings

Until recently, simpler ceremonies weren’t always common. Instead, brides would wear their big and elegant dresses while the grooms dressed in custom-designed suits that cost them a small fortune. People, who most of the time, the bride and the groom did not even know, would come from miles around to witness the couple say “I do.” I mean, we are talking about the weddings that made their home in bridal catalogs!

Although those weddings are still a big part of the industry, intimate marriages are starting to get their chance in the sunlight, metaphorically speaking. Click HERE to read an article that was published in the New Yorker about the rise of small weddings.

“HI! I AM COVID, AND I WILL BE ENTERING THE CHAT.”

During the pandemic, many were forced to regroup and drastically change their wedding plans!

Elopements and Intimate Weddings became the new norm! Personally, I hope the trend is here to stay because I 100% believe that it’s the best way to tie the knot.

I know. I know. You’re probably thinking, “That’s a pretty bold stance!” I agree it is, but I’m far from alone in this thinking.

Allow me to share some reasons I’ve heard from my couples as to why they opted for a smaller wedding or elopement. Some of their responses may just surprise you!

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Here are 8 reasons to consider an intimate wedding

#1: MORE FOCUS ON THE LOVE YOU SHARE

Your wedding day’s main purpose should be celebrating your relationship and the love you share with one another.

When you have a large, traditional, wedding it is easy to lose sight of that focal point. You are spending your time greeting guests and dealing with vendors. Ultimately, you aren’t able to give each other the undivided attention that you deserve on your special day.

Undoubtedly, you can spend more time experiencing your love for each other, and the day can feel more intimate and relaxed than the frantic energy at many traditional weddings.

#2: NO LONGER HAVE TO BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION

If you HATE being the center of attention, intimate weddings may just be for you! Having to worry about ALL EYES ON YOU, even if they are just friends and family, is enough to make your skin crawl!

When you have a smaller wedding, you don’t have to worry as much about people looking to you for “entertainment.” All you have to do is focus on being IN LOVE.

#3: WEDDING PLANNING IS MORE FUN

There is a bit of a lie going around the small wedding world and I’m here to set it straight!

The lie is that intimate weddings require less planning, this isn’t true! However, it’s true that intimate weddings are more fun! You are able to plan things like adventures and what restaurant you’re going to go to after you tie the knot!

SO SAY GOODBYE TO THE FORMAL INVITATIONS, SEATING CHARTS! If things like that just aren’t necessary for you then having a small celebration might be your way to go!

#4: ABILITY TO EXPERIENCE MORE

While saving money never hurts, many of my couples don’t hesitate to drop dollars on the things they value.

If you’re more experience-oriented, this may be your best bet! Use your money on an amazing, bucket-list vacation instead of paying to accommodate hundreds of guests.

#5: OPPORTUNITIES AND POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS

The world is your oyster when you have a smaller wedding! I mean, you can be thrill-seekers and jump out of a plane or you can have a chill day wandering the streets of Paris.

THE ODDS ARE IN YOUR FAVOR TO DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.

Make the day about the two of you and do something that you have been dreaming of doing together since you met. Honestly, there is no better time!

#6: CREATE A CUSTOM AND UNIQUE DAY

This is your chance to make your day highly unique! Fill your wedding day with activities that are fun and that you will actually enjoy.

The sky is the limit so you might at well make some memories that are completely unique to you and your significant other!

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#7: TURN YOUR WEDDING INTO AN ADVENTURE

Do you two have adventurous spirits?

When you opt for an intimate wedding, you are able to add in little bits (or a whole lot) of adventure into your special day!

Here are just a few of your options:

• 4×4 JEEPING TOURS
• PRIVATE HELICOPTOR RIDES
• HORSE BACK RIDING ON THE BEACH
• HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT AT SUNRISE

#8: GET MARRIED IN A WAY THAT MATTERS TO YOU AND NO ONE ELSE

I have said it once, but I am going to say it again.

YOUR DAY IS FOR YOU TWO AND THE LOVE YOU SHARE.

This means that you should be able to get married the way that speaks to you and your significant other and your relationship. You should not plan your wedding just because people expect you to have a traditional wedding.

I hope this, in its entirety, was helpful… However, if you only take one thing away, let it be that there is truly no right or wrong way to get married BUT THERE ARE OPTIONS. I encourage all my couples to make choices that best fit their priorities and personalities rather than what they perceive is expected of them. Just my two cents!

As an elopement photographer and someone who had an intimate wedding myself, I love hearing that more couples are choosing alternative marriage routes. It goes to show that you don’t just have to fall into the mundane just because it is society’s norm.

THINKING OF HAVING AN INTIMATE WEDDING AND NEED A PHOTOGRAPHER? INQUIRE HERE.