5 ways to have an intimate Italian wedding
Photo: Marta Ilardo Photography
Did you know you can achieve an intimate wedding two ways? When you literally invite fewer people to celebrate with you and one which is all about intimate vibes but with a larger guestlist.
A fav intimate wedding
Sophia + Philip’s masterclass in intimate elegance with their 30 guests at Puglian venue, Masseria Le Torri.
Photo: Danilo & Sharon | Wedding Planner: Alessandra Linoci Events
Tips for an intimate wedding…..
Long table
Having one long table creates a dinner party atmosphere; everyone dining from the same table is pretty special - however long it ends up being!
Photo: Lucy Lens | Planner: Rebecca Marie Weddings
Informal structure
Any wedding needs structure in the form of on the day timings which are kept to deliver flow throughout the day. Intimate wedding structure can be more subtle, creating the feeling that things are happening organically but in reality they have all been planned out.
Photo: Tozzi Studio | Celebrant: Apulian Ceremony
Focus on details
It’s on you to create the warm, inclusive atmosphere your guests will vibe off. Details including decor, music, and additional personalised touches will set this tone. Why not handwrite all your guests welcome notes to find in their rooms? Or create a ‘family tree’ in the order of service as our gorgeous founder Lucy did, showing how each person has come into your lives.
Surprise element
Wow your guests and make your wedding totally unique by having a surprise tenor sing at the start of your meal, a caterer making cannoli live for your dessert, a moving band whilst your DJ plays for dancing. The options are endless!
Musician: Omero & Friends
Guests on site
By having your guests all staying on site creates a wonderful unified feeling, especially if guests have travelled from far to celebrate with you. By having mini events pre wedding and post wedding day will take the pressure off to ‘get around' everyone’. Togetherness in this magical place is the goal.
Photo credit: Villa Medicea di Lilliano
Your worries addressed….
Do people dance at a smaller wedding?
You bring the energy to any wedding, whether that’s 20 people or 200! Make sure the area you have chosen for dancing isn’t too big - people feel safer when busting out their best moves when they don’t have too much wide open space around them. Good music is key; create an intensifying atmosphere by having the music during dinner becoming more ‘dancey’ as the evening progresses.
How do you have speeches with less guests?
Speeches will always have a place at a wedding in our minds, but the way you schedule them doesn’t have to be the typical one after another roll-out! If you’re having a welcome party, why don’t you as a couple speak then? A parent speaking is always nice on a wedding day and then instead of a single best man speech you could ask a few friends to say something short over dinner.
Is it worth having a planner if we are only having 25 guests?
It is ALWAYS worth having a good planner in our eyes. Remember a planner doesn’t necessarily coordinate guests, so it doesn’t hugely change their responsibilities having fewer people. Sourcing a suitable venue, finding trusted suppliers, liaising with this team during the planning and on the day, coordinating paperwork, managing budgets - all of this falls under a standard planner’s remit. Without one, are you ready to take all of this on yourselves and still walk into your wedding day stress-free?
Looking for the answer to an easier planning experience? Say ciao to our membership, The Club. Lucy White, expert wedding planner will personally guide you through each and every aspect of your planning journey, with live calls, access to an exclusive planning community, plus how-to-videos making this process fun and enjoyable! Ready to save yourself time and money?
