Singaporebrides | Weddings 101
December 2020
Top 10 Tips for a Beautiful and Thoughtful Intimate Wedding
Our top tips for planning a beautiful and heartwarming intimate wedding filled with moments you and your guests will cherish forever.
For those of you who never wanted a big wedding in the first place (but had mile-long guest lists from your parents), the current mandates for 100-pax weddings might have you breathing a sigh of relief. Even before COVID-19 dictated the shrinking of wedding guest lists, intimate weddings have been on the rise in Singapore as more and more couples choose to focus on the people that matter most to them instead of hosting a large and lavish affair.
Weddings have been trending towards smaller celebrations that focused on meaningful connection, guest experiences, and couple’s personalities. The smaller size of an intimate wedding opens up so many possibilities for intentionality and personalisation—from having more budget to splurge on your dream wedding details, to having more time to craft personal touches for each guest. Here, we’re laying out our top tips for a super memorable intimate wedding!
Cleo and Paul’s Minimalist and Ethereal Art Gallery Wedding by iki company
1. Focus on your story
Your wedding should celebrate the two of you and your love, so before you start planning your intimate wedding, think about what your love means to you. Let your wedding be an opportunity to share your story with your family and friends. Do you both love animals? Have your dog be part of your ceremony. Are you adventurers who have conquered mountains together? Weave adventure into your theme and décor. Or perhaps you’re big-time foodies. Introduce your guests to your gourmet discoveries with a bespoke menu.
2. Choose a thoughtful venue
Your wedding venue makes the most impact on the feel of your wedding, and having a smaller-sized wedding opens up many more venue options. Decide on the vibe you want for your celebration, and don’t be afraid to think out of the box! An intimate wedding is the perfect opportunity to explore unconventional and alternative wedding venues—such as cafes, rooftop restaurants, or minimalist art galleries that are clean canvases for your style.
Rachel and Aaron’s Intimate and Unplugged Wedding at Maison Miaja by Andri Tei Photography
3. Refine Your Guests List
If there’s one silver lining of the COVID-19 wedding restrictions, it’s that you don’t need to worry about people feeling offended or left out when you can’t invite them to your intimate wedding. With international travel restrictions in place, your guest list might be organically reduced anyway. Decide who your VIPs are, and limit your guest list to those nearest and dearest to you, such as close family and your inner circle of friends. Be thoughtful about guests who are at higher risk, and don’t feel obligated to invite second cousins, neighbours, or your colleagues if you don’t want to. It’s your special day; surround yourself with people who wholeheartedly wish you joy so you feel loved and supported as you celebrate your wedding.
4. Go big on style
The savings you make by keeping your guest list small mean you can afford to go big on style! A smaller wedding also means less area for styling, so you get more bang for your buck. Organic freeform florals to line your wedding aisle, hanging paper installations over your reception tables, or huge golden pampas circles to frame your exchange of vows—your wedding’s minimal size lends itself to maximalist, statement décor. It’s also much more feasible to style a few tables with beautiful floral arrangements and table settings than a banquet for 300 guests.
Samantha and Jarred’s “Love You to the Moon and Back” Minimony at Open Farm Community by Justrealle Photography
5. Splurge on your dream details
A smaller wedding means your budget can go further. Make your once-in-a-lifetime really special for both yourselves and your guests by splurging on your dream details. That designer wedding gown? Custom signature cocktails? Fancy calligraphy vow booklets on handmade paper? A string quartet or live band during your reception? These are no longer “luxuries” you can’t afford!
6. Add personal touches
Show your appreciation for the loved ones who have matchmade you, mentored you, or supported you through your relationship with heartfelt personal touches. Craft individualised favours or handwritten notes for each treasured guest, or personalise welcome gift boxes with your guests’ names to make them feel extra special and to thank them for any rescheduling you may have had to do. Personalised DIY projects like these are actually possible when your guest list is smaller!
Celia and Ivan’s Tropical Garden Wedding at The Summerhouse by Knotties Frame
7. Wear whatever you want
With an intimate celebration, there are less constraints than at a traditional wedding. Don’t be afraid to forego traditions and be unapologetically you! Wear something that’s truly your style, whether it’s a coloured gown, a jumpsuit, or a two-piece! A striking sunburst headpiece or an outrageous floral crown? Why not! Grooms can dress up in bold-coloured or even print suits, or go more relaxed with open collars and funny socks.
8. Style health and safety elements
Dress up your hand sanitiser stations, place cute signs reminding guests of social distancing measures, hand out custom masks, and get creative with your escort cards and seating charts.
9. Turn it into a party
Having just your close family and friends at your intimate wedding brings a heightened energy that can turn it into a party! Amp up the celebratory vibe with a great venue with stunning views or a unique setting, and let loose with fun (socially distanced) games, good music, and of course—alcohol!
Yolande and Choon Kiat’s Intimate Rooftop Wedding at Artemis by Pixioo
10. Make time for connection
Less guests means more time for meaningful conversations with each one. Instead of filling your schedule with long wardrobe changes and multiple grand march-ins for big audiences, use the extra time to appreciate your loved ones for celebrating with you—safely and without breaking zoning or social distancing rules of course!
Planning an intimate wedding makes you more intentional about your celebration; you realise what and who are most important to you and what you can do without. Remember what matters. Your wedding might look a little different from what you had originally envisioned, but at the end of the day, all that matters is that you’re getting married to the love of your life. Make every moment of your wedding count. Celebrate your love, with your people.
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