The year 2020 was a huge challenge for couples planning their weddings as well as the wedding industry as a whole. Despite all difficulties some couples still went ahead and created a small and intimate celebration and wedding planners come up with a many solutions and ideas to create something intimate, creative and beautiful. I am really happy to share with you the thoughts and ideas of lovely Susannah of Couture Events.

Susannah Parker
Founder & creative director of Couture Events 

As we commence 2021 with ongoing uncertainty about large social gatherings in the UK, intimate weddings are most definitely the way forward for couples who want to take control and marry sooner rather than later. And here at Couture HQ, we are huge fans of intimate weddings – it is the perfect opportunity for us to work with our clients to create an experience which is exclusive, exquisite and exceptional in every way.

Hosting an intimate wedding does not make your wedding any less unforgettable – in fact, quite the opposite. An extraordinary wedding day is not dependent on the number of guests you are hosting – rather it is about creating the most incredible experience for every single one of your guests through a combination impactful design, thoughtful touches and your personal connection and attention.

Think of it this way – designing a wedding for smaller guest numbers is the perfect opportunity to indulge your guests in experiences which simply wouldn’t be possible for larger numbers, such as hosting an experiential destination weekend, offering an haute cuisine menu paired with individually selected fine wines for each course and being able to show your gratitude for their love and support in more meaningful ways.

Let’s start by looking at your venue – which for luxury intimate weddings can become so much more than just the location for your ceremony and wedding breakfast. Why not invite your guests for a luxury weekend experience where you can all really relax and reconnect at an exclusive destination – our favourites include Cliveden House, Cowdray Park and Wilderness Reserve. Your guests can then share not only in the emotional intensity of your wedding day but also in the excitement and anticipation of the night before at your rehearsal dinner and all the fun of relaxing and sharing stories the following day. Depending on your guests’ preferences, we can arrange pre- and post-wedding activities and entertainment such as spa treatments or therapists coming to the venue, country pursuit activities or a skills masterclass such as mixology, a whisky tasting or making sushi.

In terms of your guests’ experience on the day, let’s look at how an intimate wedding gives you the chance to really have some fun and get creative with the catering. Instead of each guest having an identical menu – which is standard procedure at large weddings – by hosting an intimate wedding you are able to offer guests a choice for each course and perhaps work with an award winning or a Michelin starred chef who can design a menu of such calibre and creativity that it is a completely different experience to any meal your guests may have had at previous larger weddings they’ve attended. Similarly, you could allow guests to choose their preference from a wine list tailored especially for your wedding, rather than all being served the same wines as they would be at a larger wedding. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, sharing and enjoying food with friends is one of the most bonding experiences we have as human beings – an intimate wedding permits you to seat your guests all together on one long table – a set up style we love at Couture – which creates intense levels of togetherness and connection between you and your guests which are simply not possible at larger weddings.

One final thought on how to ensure that your wedding remains etched in your guests’ memories for years afterwards – focus on the details and make them personalised to each of your guests as much as possible. How about leaving personal handwritten notes from you both along with the welcome hampers we’ve arranged in their bedrooms, or let us commission bespoke personalised tableware at your wedding breakfast in each guest’s name such as calligraphed charger plates or embroidered napkins; another suggestion could be to offer luxury keepsakes from your day such as monogrammed knee blankets, pashminas or umbrellas or to arrange framed candid shots of your guests taken by your wedding photographer during the day and send them along with your thank you notes – these thoughtful touches are guaranteed to make your guests feel appreciated and will show them how much you value them.

Here at Couture Events, we are specialists in the creative design and immaculate management of luxury weddings in exceptional locations. For more ideas and venue recommendations for your exquisite intimate wedding, do visit us at www.couture-events.co.uk, follow us on Instagram @couture.weddings.events  or contact us at info@couture-events.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!

Image of Susannah is by @annelimarinovich