We love an understated wedding for so many reasons but mainly because it takes away from the hassle (and the cost!) that goes into planning a lavish shindig. Instead, a relaxed wedding often feels like a reunion of family and friends, complete with laughter, delicious food and memorable moments.
From the decorations to the food served, it’s absolutely possible to plan a beautiful but intimate celebration that is full of personal elements and unique surprises that you, your partner and your guests will remember for the years to come.
So without further ado, here are five handy tips on how to say “I do” in perfect low-key fashion.
Keep the Guest List Small
Not only will this help you save a little more but limiting the guest list down to friends and family ensures that you’ll get to spend your wedding celebrating with the people you hold dearest to your heart. We often hear tales of people inviting guests they don’t even know that well out of obligation but remember that this is your special day and you have all the right in the world to keep it small, familiar and intimate.
Go DIY on the Decorations
We love turning to the internet because it’s always so full of creative and inspiring ideas for wedding decor that you can easily take into your own hands. From personalised place settings to centrepieces, these ideas often come with step-by-step instructions and even downloadable templates that you can use. A lot of the time, you’ll be able to find the tools that you need at second-hand stores, craft shops and under the home and decor section of shopping sites. To save a little bit more, we personally like using websites like Saleduck to help us keep check of updates on all the promotions and sales from our favourite sites, this way we know when to zoom in on a really great bargain when it’s available! To make sure your ideas are organised, put together an inspiration board on Pinterest with ideas that you like and make your plans in accordance.
Skip the Professional Photographer
And instead, leave the photography duties up to your guests and get them to document the wedding with fun, candid shots and videos that they can send to you. Better yet, group all of these together with a hashtag that you can share with your guests so that they can be found easily once the celebration is over. A fun idea is to pick up a bunch of disposable cameras and distribute them among your guests to take pictures with throughout the ceremony. When the day comes to an end, collect these cameras and develop the negatives. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the number of skilled amateur photographers you have in your midst.
Make Your Own Invitations
Skip the fancy invitations that are bound to cost you a bomb and make your own. Armed with a good printer, paper and a little bit of creativity, it’s absolutely possible for you to design, print and send out your own wedding invitations. Plus points if you ( or someone in your squad) knows your way around Photoshop because if you’re already doing it yourself, it really won’t hurt to be a little fancy. However if your guest list is super small and you’re a keen crafts person, it can be fun to hand-make your own wedding invites and personalize them to your liking.
Opt for Finger Food or Buffet Style Dining
Whether you’re renting a venue or having the wedding at home, buffet style dining is a lot less formal and will give everyone the chance to walk around and mingle, lending a more laid-back and easygoing mood that is bound to keep spirits high. Opt for dishes that are easy to eat with little chance of spillage so that guests can snack as they move around.