Hello bride! Are you dreaming of a glamorous small destination wedding? If yes, then I have some important news for you! Small and intimate destination weddings are the ultimate wedding trends. You can exchange vows on the sandy beaches of the Caribbean, in breathtaking Italy or even in a castle in France. Now imagine exchanging vows in one of the world’s most beautiful places with only your close family and friends. Ahh, what a dream!
If you are dreaming of a small destination wedding, I have some valuable tips that will prove to be of great help in planning this intimate ceremony and reception abroad.
1. Choose your guests wisely
Small destination weddings are usually celebrated with close family members and friends. It is a thoughtful gesture to choose your guests wisely. Make sure you stick to 10-15 guests for a more exclusive experience.
A small destination wedding at the Four Seasons George V Paris by Wedding Luxe _ Catherine O’Hara photography
2. Hire a pro wedding planner
I cannot emphasize this enough! If you want to have a luxurious yet unique and sophisticated ceremony and intimate reception, a professional destination wedding planner will do the perfect job for you. You know you are in good hands when an expert is taking care of all your details while you are enjoying the moment with the ones you care the most.
3. Choose the right venue
Small weddings require small and charming locations. It is very important to choose the right venue from the very beginning. Private villas are the perfect ones for intimate ceremonies and some boutique and luxury hotels also have good options for a small party.
Villa Cora is a great alternative for a small wedding in Florence in Italy
4. Small yet sophisticated
A small wedding usually hosts fewer guests, but the best part is that you can give an exclusive experience to every one of them! When planning a small destination wedding remember to include several pleasant activities to make it memorable. I always suggest a local wine tasting, a cocktail with a beautiful view on a terrace or a day on a yacht with your dearest ones.
A yatch experience in for the guests. By Wedding Luxe _ Retrato Atelie Photography
5. Wrap up nice welcome gifts
Offering nice welcome gifts and wedding favors is the best way to make your guests feel welcomed and comfortable throughout their stay. I usually suggest nice local gifts but that are easy to carry back home.
Welcome gift inspiration by Pink Blossom events
6. Good music
What’s a wedding without good music? Music creates a pleasant and elegant atmosphere, don’t you think? For the ceremony what about a string quartet with a soprano singer? And what about a jazz band for the wedding cocktail hour to make it even more lively? And for the dinner, consider hiring a piano singer for playing ambiance music. I’m pretty sure the music will make all the difference on your wedding day, even with a few guests.
A string trio _ Retrato Atelie photography
7. Decorate your dinner table
Small weddings do not necessarily mean empty! With a small group I love creating a small table that can accommodate all your guests. And as the décor is little I would definitely invest on this special dinner experience. Invest in your favorite table centerpieces and surround them with floating candles and lots of flowers. After all, it is your special day and you deserve a memorable and unique reception.
Gorgeous peonies and lots of candles for a small destination wedding on the Amalfi Coast by Wedding Luxe _ Retrato Atelie photography
8. What about a gorgeous wedding cake?
I have worked with several cake designers and I can assure you it is possible to create gorgeous cakes with fake tiers and a real top. The cutting of the cake is one of the most important parts of a wedding reception. After all, having a small wedding does not mean compromising on items that are important. Another alternative I love is to offer individual cakes for the guests. They feel extra special and the individual cakes are gorgeous to photograph.
9. Gastronomical experience for your guests
As your friends and family members will be flying to your wedding, please make it interesting and unforgettable! Offering a gastronomical experience to your guests is a nice way to thank them for their effort. I’m pretty sure that a special menu will be the WOW factor of your small wedding.
A special dinner for a small wedding at the Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea in Sicily by Wedding Luxe _ Retrato Atelie photography
10. Relax and enjoy
I cannot stress enough the importance of a specialized destination wedding planner to make your wedding experience a stress-free one. This way you can relax, sit back and enjoy the most beautiful day of your life with the ones you care the most.
I hope my tips for a small destination wedding are of great help to you. If you wish to see more destination wedding ideas and inspirations, make sure you follow my instagram @weddingluxe. And also, do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to know more about our destination weddings worldwide.