When planning your wedding, you might find yourself torn between the intimacy of a small ceremony and the excitement of celebrating with a larger crowd. There are certain expectations that seem to fall on the couple as they create the guest list that can be overwhelming. However, there is a growing trend I’ve loved seeing among couples recently where they host an intimate ceremony with only close family and a few friends, followed by a reception open to a larger group. This approach offers the best of both worlds to include people in your wedding day! You preserve the significance of the ceremony while still enjoying a lively celebration with friends and those obligational family invites.
This fall, I was lucky enough to capture this type of wedding with a small ceremony full of meaningful moments that created a personal and heartfelt experience surrounded by the couple’s closest loved ones. Without a large audience, the exchange of vows felt more intimate and freer from distractions – even when the unity candle nearly fell over as it was being lit. This smaller ceremony reduces stress so the day could be enjoyed at a more relaxed pace. There was ample time to capture stunning photographs including first looks, family portraits, and couple photos without feeling the rush of events needing to take place.
While the ceremony remains intimate with a select invite list, opening up the reception to a larger group of friends and extended family later, allowed the couple to celebrate with everyone who they loved. This lets everyone who is meaningful to you still take part in the joy of your wedding day. It also provides more flexibility with venues, as a smaller ceremony can be held in a meaningful location while the reception can take place in a space designed for a lively celebration. Or in the instance of this couple who held the ceremony in the same location of the reception, there was no need for the venue to switch over from the ceremony to dinner setup for a large group during cocktail hour.
Without the hustle and bustle of the venue change over, we were able to jump into formal family photos directly after the ceremony. And with the extra time from having a relaxed start to the day, as reception guests arrived, we were able to pull a few people to do one on one and couples photos with the bride and groom. The bride and groom then had ample time to great people as they arrived before sneaking away for some sunset photos.
If you value intimate moments but still want to host a big celebration, this split day approach could be the perfect solution! Cherish the most meaningful parts of your wedding day with a small ceremony and dance the night away with ALL your friends and family with a large reception. As a wedding photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how beautifully a day laid out this way works. The relaxed pace of the ceremony creates stunning, emotion-filled photos, while the energy of the reception ensures unforgettable memories. If you’re planning your wedding and want a photography experience that captures both the intimacy and excitement of your big day, reach out and let’s chat about how you want your special day frozen in time!
