Vogue Inspired intimate wedding photographed by Chuck and Shiloh

Let’s be honest: wedding planning is a lot. Between managing opinions from family or friends, sticking to a budget, and preparing for a marriage, the overwhelm creeps in quite quickly. Because of the amount of stress couples face during their wedding planning season of life, many are opting for an intimate wedding. Not only is there often less stress involved, but couples are able to include unique elements that stray from tradition, and still include their closest people. As a Colorado wedding and elopement photo and video team, Chuck and I have walked alongside dozens of couples who love the idea of an intimate wedding, but who aren’t sure where to start. Planning an intimate wedding that feels like you is easier than you think, though, friend! Let’s just get into it, shall we!?

A Vogue Inspired Colorado Intimate Wedding

What is an Intimate Wedding?

Within the wedding industry, defining what an intimate wedding is comes with conflicting answers. Much like a “large” wedding, it’s difficult to assign a numerical value when the word “intimate” can be subjective. But to give us a good place to start, here’s what Brides.com says:

Intimate wedding: Between 50 and 75 guests
Small wedding: Less than 50 guests
Tiny wedding: 15 people or less

In general, the fewer guests in attendance, the easier it will be to achieve an intimate feeling wedding. Because the word “intimate” can be subjective, make sure to effectively communicate with wedding vendors to ensure they work with your ideal number of guests. For example, some wedding and elopement photographers only document weddings with less than 15 people. Just keep that in mind when inquiring with vendors!

Over the years, intimate weddings have gained popularity because of the endless opportunities for couples to create a day that authentically feels like their love. Intimate weddings often feel more emotional, joyful, and intentional because they truly feel centered around the couple. They are also a happy compromise for couples that consider eloping, but don’t want to miss out on celebrating with their closet people.

How to evoke emotion on your wedding day

A luxury Vogue-inspired Colorado elopement photographed by Chuck and Shiloh

Choosing Your Intimate Wedding Guest List

Here’s the deal: just as there’s no “one size fits all” rule in relationships, the same applies to wedding planning. The best piece of advice when starting your guest list is to ensure that you and your partner are on the same page. Start by listing out the people who you absolutely don’t want to say “I do” without. Once you both have your core list, you’ll be able to decide if that number feels comfortable, or if you would like to invite a few more. But don’t be afraid to keep your list small; be picky about who you add to your list. Remember - you’re not just filling seats in congregation or around a table. You are choosing the group of people who will witness you marrying your person.

Champagne toast during a Vogue-inspired elopement photographed by Chuck and Shiloh

Planning an Intimate Wedding

One of my personal favorite parts of being a wedding and elopement photographer is getting to witness how couples include unique elements of themselves on their wedding day. Opting for an intimate wedding (in lieu of a large, traditional wedding) allows for more opportunities for personal touches. From selecting a meaningful location, to involving your loved ones throughout your wedding day, the possibilities are endless.

Selecting an Intimate Wedding Location

In case nobody has told you: location matters. One of the easiest ways to add just a little piece of ‘you’ in your wedding is by choosing a location with intention. Often times, couples choose a venue solely because it’s within their budget, or because of its proximity to their church. But the truth is, you’ll end up remember where you celebrated far more than you’ll remember how many roses made up your bouquet. Don’t be afraid to seek out a location that actually holds meaning in your heart.

If you find yourselves struggling to find the ‘perfect’ place to say “I do”, here are some some tips and questions to keep in mind:

Reminisce on your relationship. Consider any dates you went on or any places that have significance. Some examples could be a park where you went stargazing one night, an epic hike you embarked on, or even your hometown church.
Consider past vacation destinations or weekend getaways.
Think of locations on your bucket list. I mean, can you imagine getting married in a location you’ve only ever dreamed of visiting?! From a tropical intimate wedding in the Maldives to cozy nuptials in Iceland... it doesn’t get better than exploring alongside your person.

No matter how extravagant or low-key your intimate wedding location, choose a place that feels like you. Trust me when I say: you’ll treasure a backyard wedding way more than a random event space located in a town that has no significance to you.

Adding Personal Touches

Another easy way to make a special impact is through selecting meaningful details. Details can encompass anything from the cufflinks your husband wears to the scent of perfume you choose to be your signature scent. Wedding details are a beautiful way to complete not only complete your love story, but to also showcase the little elements that went into making you the people you are today. We have a little post on the ‘Gram with a snippet of items to include on your wedding day (you can check it out HERE). But it’s such an impactful way to infuse even the smallest bits into your love story.

While I firmly believe each wedding day (no matter how big or small) should revolve around the couple, intimate weddings are such a sweet opportunity to add little bits of yourselves throughout your entire day. From enjoying a family breakfast before getting ready, to ending the night with a DIY sundae bar, you have every chance to make your day completely yours.

In adding personal touches to your wedding day, don’t be afraid to also opt out of anything that doesn’t feel authentic to you. It can be as simple as having churros instead of wedding cake. You skip having a bridal party, and just request all guests wear a certain color or style. If there’s anything that doesn’t feel like you, you absolutely have permission to put your own spin on it, or to even get rid of it all together!

Including Your Loved Ones on Your Wedding Day

Including your loved ones is another beautiful way to plan an intimate wedding that feels like you. There’s no shortage of ways to include your people on your wedding day, but here are a few sweet ideas to consider!

Invite your gals to spend the morning getting ready with you. Even if you don’t have a bridal party, spending your wedding morning getting ready with the most important women in your life is so special.
Request that each loved one writes you letters to read as a couple on your wedding morning.
Ask a loved one to officiate your ceremony. The tears will be flowing for sure!
Have your family read scripture during your ceremony.
Wear a family heirloom or sentimental piece of jewelry.
Pass your rings around to each of your guests and ask them to pray over your marriage.
FaceTime with any family or friends that weren’t able to make it to your wedding day.

Taking time to express your gratitude to your loved ones is also a beautiful way to include them in the celebration. Write each guest a personal note, select meaningful favors tailored to each person, etc. There’s a reason these specific people are surrounding you on your wedding day; let them know just how much you appreciate them for being present.

Colorado Intimate Wedding Photography and Videography | Chuck + Shiloh

Planning an intimate wedding that feels like you is at your fingertips, my friend. As a past bride, and someone whose job is centered around weddings, I know how easy it can be to become all-consumed with trying to be unique. But it really comes down to just creating a day that is uniquely you. Don’t try too hard to do something that’s “never been done before”. Focus on the fact that you get to marry the love of your life, surrounded by your people.

Searching for more wedding and elopement planning tips? Check out the blog! And be sure to follow along on our Insta (@chuckandshiloh) to keep up with our latest adventures, swoon-worthy couples, and Hoka! Happy planning!!