Mini weddings
AKA a little wedding, tiny wedding, pop-up wedding.
One that is compact, fun-sized, half-pint, dinky, or petite.
Small, simple [but] significant.
By thinking small, you think - intimate, relaxed, informal, easy, deep and personal.
And everyone knows fabulous things come in small boxes.
By thinking small you think - intimate, relaxed, informal, easy, deep, and personal. And everyone knows fabulous things come in small boxes.
Whatever your reason for wanting a small wedding you are in good company. As many couples are opting for a small wedding to mark their significant day.
One of the many advantages of small weddings is you have more flexibility on what day of the week you get married. Obviously, venues are more available during the week and may be prepared to do a deal if you do book during the week.
It can be a lot of fun finding the right location for your wedding day. A big advantage of small is there are more options of where you can marry. From the obvious venues seen in all the magazines and web sites to smaller venues outside the city boundaries that you may not have thought of. [Check out my list below.]
Let your imagination run.
A quick distinction between venue and location. A venue is a building or premises that may also have an outdoor space. A Location is an outdoor space, so this includes gardens. Locations tend towards the adventurous or adventurous at heart.
When considering a venue or location look for a ceremonial location that is intimate and speaks to you both. Each location or venue you look at will have its own unique qualities, stunning view, or specific backdrop so you may not need to add anything into the space, like an arch. If the space isn’t defined there is the opportunity to use props to create or enhance the intimate ceremonial “space”. Wherever you choose to stand to say your vows it needs to resonate with you both.
Weather is one factor that does need to be considered. Sun and snow aren’t likely to stop things but wind and/or rain will could put a damper on things. So have a plan B OR at the very least have lots of umbrellas.
Location, location, location …
There are stunning venues throughout the wider Palmerston North area suitable for weddings.
From the traditional:
· Cacia Birch – which has both garden and indoor options
· Whareata
Venues:
· Coachman, Orlando Country, The Boat house, Awapuni Function Centre, The Regent, The Victoria Esplanade, Copthorne Hotel, to name but a few
Gardens:
· Lansdale Garden - architecturally designed in 1914 this stunning garden has featured in Life & Leisure magazine.
· Greenhaugh gardens – also has small conservator for reception
· Roseburn Park - [also has accommodation]
· Turitea Valley Events and Hire
In the wider Manawatu and Rustic Rangitikei there are stunning backdrops in natural surroundings, providing that added sense of magic, adventure, and accommodation. Like:
· Rathmoy Lodge
· Makoura Lodge
· Apiti – The Last Church
· Ridge Top Farm [glamping]
· Maungaraupi Country Estate
· Pohangina Heights Gardens
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of urban? If you are seeking an adventure or are adventurous at heart the Magnificent Manawatu and Rustic Rangitikei have some amazing destinations right here in and they are usually free. Like:
· On the beach
· In the bush
· On a boat
· On someone’s farm or lifestyle block
· At a seclude river or water fall or with glow worms or DOC track or on top of the rangers
Maybe you would like to marry at a sport or community venue because this is a large part of your life. E.g. racetrack, at a sports club, on a golf course or bowling green.
Learn more from my web site or those of the businesses listed.
There are lots of benefits to having a small wedding.
You are choosing small but significant, so you have the wedding of your dreams.
You are choosing a simply small wedding because of your budget.
You are choosing small because you like it that way.
A small wedding won’t be cancelled because of Covid. There is a stress saver!!
As mentioned earlier small = intimate, relaxed, informal, easy, deep and personal.
The focus is on the celebration of your wedding and the significance of your commitment to each other. Small allows for a level of intimacy within the ceremony not found in larger weddings.
You as a couple can spend more time together during the day. This may include getting ready together, pre-wedding photos and sharing special moments together throughout the day.
Another bonus is having time to talk with your guests after the ceremony and remembering what you have talked about.
At large wedding it can be hard to get around all your guests. And even if you do, how often did you get interrupted and/or drawn away for one reason or another. You are then left feeling exhausted by the end of the evening.
Small also means simpler as there is a reduced amount of planning and organising.
Less guests means being able to us your funds to create the wedding day that reflects your personalities and theme without compromising.
Small allows you to be spontaneous / more spur-of-the moment. You could have everything organised with 2-6 months rather than 12–18 months or longer.
Small means that this isn’t a massive production. Reducing the pressure, competition and conforming.
The romance and intimacy are reflected in the choices you made for the location, attire, and simple prop’s / theme.
Whether your ceremony is big or small, themed, or rustically boho one thing remains unchanged. Expect your celebrant to be writing a tailor-made ceremony that reflects your personalities, wishes, values and beliefs.
Your guest list ….
A mini wedding has between 10 – 40 guests. Anything over 40 and you lose the intimacy of “small”. Less than 10 and it is an elopement.
So, the big question is: who to invite?
The answer isn’t set is stone. This is very much a couple’s preference. Your answer will reflect things like:
· How big your individual families are.
· The politics within your families and/or friend group[s].
· The size of your friend groups.
· How you prioritize family vs friends.
· Who is vaccinated and does this matter?
· The ability of family and friends to travel at present.
· If your family and/or friends are in NZ.
· What your plans are for another ceremony or gathering in the future.
· Those not at the wedding can attend the after match.
· Wanting to get married during the week.
What every you choose to do. Back yourselves. But also, be prepared to explain. Everyone loves a wedding so some people may be disappointed when not invited.
Must have’s
· Celebrant
· Photographer
· Documentation
· Venue or location of wedding
· Ring[s] or other option
· Two witnesses
· Guests [10 – 40]
· Your attire
What I recommend - nail down your key ideas before you start planning.
Start by brainstorming all your ideas, thoughts, preferences, wants, needs, likes, etc. Don’t discount anything. Just write every idea down that comes into your head.
Don’t look at Google images and Pinterest yet. Create a theme board after you have done your brainstorm so, you won’t be completely overwhelmed!!
Have a look at the list and look for the following:
· Repetition of a colour or colours.
o Here is your theme colour or “season” colours to run with.
· Location[s] that keep popping up within the pictures.
o Refine down to 1 or 2
· Style or period of clothing, e.g.: Boho, rustic rural, steam punk.
· Particular theme running through the ideas.
· Preference for specific items, e.g. flowers, candles, pine cones, ribbon, arches, chalk boards, hay bales, etc.
· Words, beliefs, values
· Locations or venue preferences.
Trim your list down to 5-6 ideas you feel you must have to reflect your personalities / preferences on the day. When you are planning you now have a framework to base your decision making around. This process should give you clarity, allowing you to be decisive when planning.