ARE YOU ON THE FENCE ABOUT CHOOSING TO ELOPE OR GOING IN THE DIRECTION OF A SMALL, INTIMATE WEDDING? WELL, LET ME SHARE SOME OF MY THOUGHTS ON WHY THESE KIND OF DAYS ARE SO SPECIAL.
I know, this is a BIG decision for some people — even a tricky one at times! Maybe, it’s not even a choice, maybe COVID-19 has made the decision to downsize for you. And, while I still LOVE big wedding days and totally support anyone who does and can choose that, I just wanted to share a few things that I love about small, intimate days and why they are so incredibly special.
I. IT’S MORE INTIMATE.
There is something so sacred about a small group witnessing your special day — or even JUST YOU TWO having saying your vows and celebrating together! With an intimate setting, there is more room to fully be present. With fewer distractions, you’re able to be more intentional during the day and soak up each moment to the fullest!
II. LESS ROOM FOR STRESS.
I believe NO wedding day has to be stressful — regardless of the size — but, on some bigger days with more moving pieces, it can be hard to avoid the little moments here and there that carry stress. Smaller days have much more of a “go with the flow” mentality — there’s room for adaptability if a “planned” piece of the day needs to change a bit.
III. IT’S AN EXPERIENCE.
I always say that eloping is more of an experience than just a wedding day — and the same goes for intimate weddings. You have SO many options to structure your day, and NOTHING is off limits. This kind of day is more about the journey than a strict timeline. If you want to stop on the way to your ceremony spot and get tattoos — you do it! If you want to go bungee jumping after you say your vows — you do it! If you want to hike up to a secret look out point and camp there the night before your elopement — you do it! You call all the shots on this day! You can make it whatever you want — make it an experience to remember.
IV. AMAZING LOCATIONS.
With bigger wedding days, there are some limitations on locations. BUT, with elopements and small weddings, the world is your oyster! There are some AMAZING spaces for elopements where a larger wedding wouldn’t work! You could say your vows in the middle of the desert, on the peak of a mountain, on the mossy floor of a forest, on a cliff overlooking the ocean, on a rooftop in the middle of the city, in a tropical paradise or in front of snow covered mountains — you could travel across the globe or explore somewhere new in your own State. Smaller days allow for some amazing locations!
V. LAST MINUTE PLANNING.
This is a big one. ESPECIALLY with COVID-19 being a part of our current season of life — last minute planning seems like a new way of living at this point. With smaller weddings and elopements, last minute planning is just fine! I’ve had so many elopements and “micro-weddings” book just a month or two out due to the ever changing wedding plans of 2020. And, you know what? THAT’S OK. With a smaller day, it’s easier to do it on a less busy day (aka a weekday). This means, less crowds, more space to yourself, and more chances that your photographer will be available last minute as well. There are less details and moving pieces to these intimate days, making it so much easier to plan!
(Scroll down to check out my Elopement Planning Guide)
This day can really be whatever YOU want and need. There is something so special about these intimate experiences — each one is fully unique and sacred. And, if you have any questions, I am always here to help guide you along with the small bits of planning to piece together a day that feels fully YOU — whatever that may look like!
A FEW RESOURCES THAT MAY BE HELPFUL —
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