Cheshire's Carden Park unveils its new enchanced wedding packages
Carden Park, the luxury Cheshire wedding venue set in 1,000 acres of stunning...
Say I do to an intimate wedding celebration
Since the pandemic, the biggest shift in the wedding industry has been towards more intimate weddings. Born out of necessity during various lockdowns and restrictions, small yet mighty nuptials made us all reevaluate what's important and remind us what a wedding is all about. So much so in fact that the trend for intimate weddings is here to stay. Here, we explore the benefits of a small but perfectly formed celebration as well as our tips for planning your own.
BUDGET
If you're opting for an intimate wedding not to save on costs but rather to focus on sharing the day with only those closest and most important to you, you really can go all out to create the day of your dreams. Just think, when you cut down the number of meals you're providing from 150 to 20 or fewer, the food you can provide can be akin to a fine dining experience.
Have a think about what you want to main experience of your wedding to be. How do you want it to be remembered? This is the area you want to invest in. With fewer guests you can typically invest more into each one ensuring their day is as memorable as yours. Elements you might want to look at prioritising are your venue, catering, and personalised details.
As ever, just be sure to keep an eye on your original budget and don't get it get away from you. You can have that flawless celebration without being left destitute!
One thing to bear in mind is that some suppliers may charge a higher fee for fewer guests numbers so be sure to take this into account to avoid any nasty surprises.
If you're opting for an intimate wedding not to save on costs but rather to focus on sharing the day with only those closest and most important to you, you really can go all out to create the day of your dreams. Just think, when you cut down the number of meals you're providing from 150 to 20 or fewer, the food you can provide can be akin to a fine dining experience.
Have a think about what you want to main experience of your wedding to be. How do you want it to be remembered? This is the area you want to invest in. With fewer guests you can typically invest more into each one ensuring their day is as memorable as yours. Elements you might want to look at prioritising are your venue, catering, and personalised details.
As ever, just be sure to keep an eye on your original budget and don't get it get away from you. You can have that flawless celebration without being left destitute!
One thing to bear in mind is that some suppliers may charge a higher fee for fewer guests numbers so be sure to take this into account to avoid any nasty surprises.
VENUE
With a guest list of 30 or fewer you have a whole new world of venue possibilities open up to you from the chic to the quirky. Think exclusive spaces such as boutique hotels, fine-dining restaurants, private estates and gorgeous vineyards.
The beauty is that you may now be able to afford the sort of space you'd dreamed of that would be out of budget for a larger wedding.
Be sure to choose the right venue size for your guest list. If a few of your are rattling around a space designed for 150 that cosy, intimate atmosphere you've set your sights on will be lost.
Check out our venues page to explore their spaces and capacities.
With a guest list of 30 or fewer you have a whole new world of venue possibilities open up to you from the chic to the quirky. Think exclusive spaces such as boutique hotels, fine-dining restaurants, private estates and gorgeous vineyards.
The beauty is that you may now be able to afford the sort of space you'd dreamed of that would be out of budget for a larger wedding.
Be sure to choose the right venue size for your guest list. If a few of your are rattling around a space designed for 150 that cosy, intimate atmosphere you've set your sights on will be lost.
Check out our venues page to explore their spaces and capacities.
GUEST LIST
One of the most difficult parts of planning an intimate day is deciding who make it onto your very select guest list. Carefully consider the people you're considering inviting. They should be your very nearest and dearest, those who are there for you through thick and thin, those who make a positive impact on your life and relationship, those you couldn't imagine celebrating your nuptials without. Being invited should be an honour, not an excuse for a booze up.
You may face the age old problem of feeling pressure to invite family you don't feel fall in any way into the above categories, so diplomacy will be required to ensure your dream day doesn't get away from you. Explain to those applying the pressure that you are only able to have very few people with you on the day. Try to keep language consistent. Perhaps open with something like this:
“We’re keeping our wedding to just immediate family and a handful of people, so unfortunately we can’t invite everyone we’d love to. We really value you and look forward to celebrating together outside the wedding day.”
One of the most difficult parts of planning an intimate day is deciding who make it onto your very select guest list. Carefully consider the people you're considering inviting. They should be your very nearest and dearest, those who are there for you through thick and thin, those who make a positive impact on your life and relationship, those you couldn't imagine celebrating your nuptials without. Being invited should be an honour, not an excuse for a booze up.
You may face the age old problem of feeling pressure to invite family you don't feel fall in any way into the above categories, so diplomacy will be required to ensure your dream day doesn't get away from you. Explain to those applying the pressure that you are only able to have very few people with you on the day. Try to keep language consistent. Perhaps open with something like this:
“We’re keeping our wedding to just immediate family and a handful of people, so unfortunately we can’t invite everyone we’d love to. We really value you and look forward to celebrating together outside the wedding day.”
WE DO
An oh-so romantic intimate ceremony is always worth considering, even if you choose to open up more invites for the ensuing celebrations.
The fewer guests you have for this part of the day, the easier it is to get them involved in your nuptials. For example, ask your celebrant about the various rituals that can be included such as a wedding ring warming, or unity candle ceremony.
CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL LOVELIES
Julie Kelling Wedding Celebrant
Pure Silk Ceremonies
Sophie Wilcockson Ceremonies
An oh-so romantic intimate ceremony is always worth considering, even if you choose to open up more invites for the ensuing celebrations.
The fewer guests you have for this part of the day, the easier it is to get them involved in your nuptials. For example, ask your celebrant about the various rituals that can be included such as a wedding ring warming, or unity candle ceremony.
CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL LOVELIES
Julie Kelling Wedding Celebrant
Pure Silk Ceremonies
Sophie Wilcockson Ceremonies
CATERING
Just because you've set enough budget aside to cater for 100 guests, doesn't necessarily mean you need to invite that many. If you decided to halve that or even cut it down to a third for the same budget, you'd be looking at quality over quantity. For so many of us, food tells a story and is a crucial part of any wedding day, so if it's the area you've both chosen to prioritise you really could go all out! What about a seven-course fine-dining tasting menu? Just some food for thought!
CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL LOVELIES
Cheeky Chilli Events
Olive Tree Catering
Just because you've set enough budget aside to cater for 100 guests, doesn't necessarily mean you need to invite that many. If you decided to halve that or even cut it down to a third for the same budget, you'd be looking at quality over quantity. For so many of us, food tells a story and is a crucial part of any wedding day, so if it's the area you've both chosen to prioritise you really could go all out! What about a seven-course fine-dining tasting menu? Just some food for thought!
CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL LOVELIES
Cheeky Chilli Events
Olive Tree Catering
STATIONERY
So much more is possible when your guest list consists of 30 or fewer, you can really make everything super-personal for you and your loved ones. Each and every person will be there for a great reason, so think of the ways they positively influenced your love story, or been beside you on the journey. You could include these little nods in a bespoke table name or wedding favour for that guest. Perhaps a personal, handwritten note, or an illustration on their place card. We love the idea of a couple's trip to the Lego store to put together a minifig resembling each guest! This is the sort of thing that just wouldn't be possible with 100-plus guests.
You could even get creative with your place names and turn them into something they'll want to take home and treasure. What about an agate slice or sea glass adorned with sweeping calligraphy?
Gorgeous handmade stationery also becomes more viable the fewer guests you have. You can commission an illustrator to create an impression of your venue or monogram. You could also opt for sumptuous materials with wax seals. They sky's the limit.
So much more is possible when your guest list consists of 30 or fewer, you can really make everything super-personal for you and your loved ones. Each and every person will be there for a great reason, so think of the ways they positively influenced your love story, or been beside you on the journey. You could include these little nods in a bespoke table name or wedding favour for that guest. Perhaps a personal, handwritten note, or an illustration on their place card. We love the idea of a couple's trip to the Lego store to put together a minifig resembling each guest! This is the sort of thing that just wouldn't be possible with 100-plus guests.
You could even get creative with your place names and turn them into something they'll want to take home and treasure. What about an agate slice or sea glass adorned with sweeping calligraphy?
Gorgeous handmade stationery also becomes more viable the fewer guests you have. You can commission an illustrator to create an impression of your venue or monogram. You could also opt for sumptuous materials with wax seals. They sky's the limit.
VENUE STYLING
When it comes to styling an intimate space creating the desired atmosphere is much easier to achieve with a carefully curated set of props and floral designs.
When it comes to your table layout you'll likely be able to seat everyone around a single table for a wonderful community feel. Or what about a horseshoe layout with the two of you seated at a sweetheart table?
Your tablescape will be the focal point and with only a single table to worry about you can give it your heart and soul! Think colour coordinated napkins, statement chargers, a stunning floral display and gold-toned cutlery - chef's kiss!
CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL LOVELIES
Butterfly Road
Jacqui O - Cheshire Florals
Molly Blooms - The Florist
Somerset Blooms
The Feel Good Florist
When it comes to styling an intimate space creating the desired atmosphere is much easier to achieve with a carefully curated set of props and floral designs.
When it comes to your table layout you'll likely be able to seat everyone around a single table for a wonderful community feel. Or what about a horseshoe layout with the two of you seated at a sweetheart table?
Your tablescape will be the focal point and with only a single table to worry about you can give it your heart and soul! Think colour coordinated napkins, statement chargers, a stunning floral display and gold-toned cutlery - chef's kiss!
CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL LOVELIES
Butterfly Road
Jacqui O - Cheshire Florals
Molly Blooms - The Florist
Somerset Blooms
The Feel Good Florist
CAKE
We love the initmate wedding cake options out there. A Lambeth cake is oh-so on trend and generally a single tier. Iced in palette fitting hues and scribed 'Just Married', it's an oh-so chic addition.
Tall single tiers are every bit as elegant as a multi-tiered wedding cake, but ensure you avoid the wastage. If you'e always dreamed of a three-tiered showstopper though, all hope is not lost. Chat do your cake maker about your options. Often, they'll be able to ice dummy tiers, so you get the drama without the costs and food waste.
CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL LOVELIES
Cake Creations Southport
Cake on the Lake
Mamma Mia Cakes & Cupcakes
We All Love Cake Ltd
We love the initmate wedding cake options out there. A Lambeth cake is oh-so on trend and generally a single tier. Iced in palette fitting hues and scribed 'Just Married', it's an oh-so chic addition.
Tall single tiers are every bit as elegant as a multi-tiered wedding cake, but ensure you avoid the wastage. If you'e always dreamed of a three-tiered showstopper though, all hope is not lost. Chat do your cake maker about your options. Often, they'll be able to ice dummy tiers, so you get the drama without the costs and food waste.
CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL LOVELIES
Cake Creations Southport
Cake on the Lake
Mamma Mia Cakes & Cupcakes
We All Love Cake Ltd
FASHION
We'd advise to keep your wedding party small. After all, you don't want your team to outnumber the other guests! Perhaps you'll choose a maid-of-honour and a best man to be by your sides. Not only will this safe you money on a whole stream of outfits, it'll give you the opportunity to really treat them, perhaps adding shoes and other accessories to their look. The look for the four of your will look beautifully created and you can even go for a fashion-forward vibe.
What's more, since this is another area of significant saving for you both, you'll be able to invest more of your valuable budget into those important experiential moments.
We're giddy with excitement for you!
CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL LOVELIES
A Bridal Story
Andrea Kosta
We'd advise to keep your wedding party small. After all, you don't want your team to outnumber the other guests! Perhaps you'll choose a maid-of-honour and a best man to be by your sides. Not only will this safe you money on a whole stream of outfits, it'll give you the opportunity to really treat them, perhaps adding shoes and other accessories to their look. The look for the four of your will look beautifully created and you can even go for a fashion-forward vibe.
What's more, since this is another area of significant saving for you both, you'll be able to invest more of your valuable budget into those important experiential moments.
We're giddy with excitement for you!
CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL LOVELIES
A Bridal Story
Andrea Kosta
