Too bossy? Sorry, but I have seen so many people walk away from their wedding tired, underwhelmed, and with buyer’s remorse and I just think to myself ” I wish they had done exactly what they wanted.” We often take into consideration too many other people when we are planning for our wedding day that we lose sight of the reason behind this celebration.
It is about you and your partner. Period.
In the wedding industry, we are seeing a trend of creating small and intimate gatherings (thanks COVID!) but the results are AMAZING because they have the time and space to showcase exactly what is important to you both. This is not a rushed courthouse elopement you have heard about in the past. This is a small and intentional celebration with only those who you love to bear witness or even just the two of you alone! It can be a day exploring after starting at the courthouse or it can be a day at a local Airbnb and beautiful beach. But if you are worried you won’t be able to do all the traditional elements you want please know that you can! You can take an overwhelming task (planning a big wedding) and break it down to only what matters most to you and invest in the key pieces you want! It is all win-win!
Here are some elements/vendors I have seen incorporated into a small celebration or elopement, but the sky is the limit! Remember, you can take your budget and place the money where it really counts in order to maximize the value you are getting. Without paying for a meal for 200 people you have now opened up a great budget to put the money on the things that actually matter to you! In the end you are even likely to SAVE a ton of money and invest in your future.
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Photo and Video documentation: I am not just saying this because I am a photographer, but also because I value this documentation. For me, finding the right photographer to document my wedding and now my family each year is so important! I want a photographer that I love their style AND want to work with them for the service they provide.
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Officiant: This person is going to actually join you two in marriage, so be sure to pick someone who you are comfortable around, understands your uniqueness (and spends time getting to know you!), and is able to tailor your union to YOU in some way. The ceremony is often the quickest part of your day, but trust me when I say you want a dedicated professional who is able to do exactly what you want. The officiant for this wedding was Ashlee from Heartfelt Ceremonies (Check her out! heartfelton.com or IG @heartfeltceremonies).
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Floral Artist: Yes, I said artist! Just like your photographer, you should look for a floral artist who demonstrates the style and skills you are drawn to in the final product. Similar to other artists, you will find such a variation in skills and service. You can give a good florist your budget and style/colors and they will run with it to create some unique pieces for your day. If you are on a smaller budget a simple bouquet is enough, but if you are getting married in Hawaii think about unique pieces that fit your environment like a Lei Po’o (flower crown) or Ti Leaf Maile Lei (green wrap). The beautiful bouquet below was done by Vanessa and her team at La Flor Events (Check them out at laflorevents.com or IG @laflorevents)
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Luxury Picnic: So just because you don’t have a huge dinner doesn’t mean you can’t eat! Sometimes the breaking of bread together for the first time is really important, so I love it when my couples decide to get a picnic set up at the beach for after the ceremony. It allows them to sit and chat to reflect on their ceremony usually just as the sun is setting! Add a stunning cake (this one was from Leonilda Cakes- @leonildacakes) from a local baker and you have so many elements you dreamt of in a much more manageable setting. The full picnic set up below was done by Caymen at Island Picnic Co (www.islandpicnichi.com or IG @islandpicnics)
I was asked to document a particularly intimate day like this and I keep pinching myself that I was able to be a part of A + J’s elopement. This couple wanted many of the traditional elements of their celebration including getting ready, first look, meaningful ceremony, first dance and delicious food and cake! The amazing thing about it for me was that it was a couple-only celebration, so the other vendors and I felt so special that we all came together to support this amazing couple on their day! Not only being asked to document their elopement because they loved my work, but also knowing that I was a witness to this union just felt so special and humbling. I know I will never forget this day and I know A + J will have these memories in photos for a lifetime!
Do you have a vision for your day that is small and intimate? That is where I shine and I LOVE to help plan, support and just cheer you on as you celebrate. My favorite love language to express is Acts of Service and I know that is what I am meant to do for the couples who reach out–SERVE THEM! Let’s chat about how we can come together and make some amazing memories in the process!
