Make the most of an intimate wedding
By Janice Casey
The last year has been extremely challenging for us all on a global level. In essence, the world has stopped, and we have had to significantly adapt to how we live our lives.
One area that has been severely disrupted is family celebrations and weddings in particular. I truly empathise with the couples who have had, in many cases, their lifelong dreams of their wedding day, altered dramatically in order to comply within the Government guidelines for Covid-19.
And, whilst this can be extremely stressful and quite often very upsetting for couples, when we work collectively to ensure that they still have memories of a lifetime, it can still be a dream day.
Even though couples not been able to have their originally intended wedding with large numbers, we have created magic for many couples and it has given me so much joy in my role of Wedding Planner at the Metropole Hotel.
A wedding is a union of two people, making a commitment to each other and being part of a day like that is such a privilege. A key element for the couple is to have someone assisting them that they have trust and faith in, so that they can just relax and enjoy the process. My colleagues and I work hard in the background to bring their dreams to life.
Intimate weddings have always been a popular choice for many couples but currently, it is the only option for couples wishing to proceed with their weddings – and I will share some of my tips for any upcoming brides or grooms.
Tips for an intimate wedding:
1. When selecting a venue, ensure that the room chosen will be the right size for your numbers. If you had originally booked a large ballroom, ask your wedding planner if the room can be partitioned or would they recommend moving your group to a smaller room at the venue so that it is not a large open space that looks vacant. Having the correct sized room is imperative for ambience, so seek advice from your event co-ordinator.
2. One of the most difficult things to do is choosing who can attend the wedding on the day. As numbers are so restrictive, it can place enormous pressure on the couple as they do not want to offend anyone. However, this decision is very much out of your hands and people for the most part, fully understand this. For those who cannot be in attendance in a physical way, invite them to participate virtually. Organise for those family and friends to record a message and have someone to compile into a video to be played at the wedding reception.
3. If you are having an intimate wedding, make a reservation for your first wedding anniversary to have a dinner or a buffet or BBQ to celebrate with all of those who you would have liked to have been at the wedding itself. Venues are extremely helpful and understand that numbers will be changing.
4. As you will have an intimate wedding, you may see that your full budget is not being used, and so, this can be a great way of having some added luxury with some added beautiful floral arrangements, extravagant table centre pieces or having a more extensive wedding menu for your guests.
5. Enjoy the day and the lead up. Of course, you will have some disappointment but the day is to celebrate your marriage. We can assure you that we will do everything in our power to make your day magical and one that you will cherish forever. The day is about romance, love and commitment. Just be open with your wedding planner about the areas of concern or potential disappointment and we can work on novel solutions. This is one of the most important days of your life and we have the experience to make it one of the best days of your life.