Micro Weddings
Micro wedding; it’s the new buzz word for the smaller intimate weddings that were once the popular choice for those couples who wanted to have a fabulous day within their means (or to avoid the major stresses of the BIG Day).
But with COVID19 dominating our world, the small weddings are currently the only ones that we’re allowed. At the time of writing (mid-October 2020) in the UK, couples may have up to 15 guests for their wedding ceremony and reception making the celebration a very bijou affair.
Although you may have to compromise on the size of your party, you most definitely do not have to compromise on any other aspects of your perfect wedding day. In fact, having a micro wedding could have some distinct advantages over a bigger event, especially if you have the same budget. And if you don’t, you can still have a beautiful day without the stress of the mounting costs.
Whether it’s in your back garden or at a top London address, the Bijou wedding is here for the foreseeable future so we need to jump on board and make it the best day ever.
Let’s look on the bright side, come on, sometimes it’s the only side worth looking at.
Without the stress of your guest list or that “terror inducing” seating plan, you can concentrate all your efforts on the fun stuff.
Will it be at home, in the garden or that fabulous venue you never thought possible. If I was to tread that aisle once again, I’d be taking my small party of favourites to @PetershamNurseries. As many of my friends and family know, it’s my happy place. They have everything I need and without the large guest list it might just be affordable!
The garden affair on a budget
Now whether you have a backyard or a well-tended sprawling garden, you needn’t worry. You’ll be amazed at what can be achieved with a gazebo, some fabric and a fabulous florist. Earlier in September I was invited to turn a builders back yard into a wedding reception for 14. On first inspection of the garden, I have to admit I did have a few reservations but once the creative cogs start turning, a vision starts to form in my mind and then there’s no stopping me!
My bride ordered a gazebo and some very inexpensive en-trend furniture and I was off. Hanging Hessian and fabric from the sides we managed to block out the building supplies in a beautiful way as well as creating a very intimate dining area. With the help of some gorgeous gold cutlery, some well thought out plates to match, all bought online, along with some beautiful linen napkins, I set to work.
Guided by an Instagram reel by @cohire (event hire company), I created some fabulous napkin roses to sit in the bowls with a sprig of Olive branch to finish. Even after 22 years of floristry there are new things to learn!
Out come the variety of small pretty vases I’ve collected over the years, bundles of foliage (this can always be foraged if your budget is tight) and a collection of Roses, I created a lavish trail along the centre of the long trestle table, interspersed with glass candlesticks with pure white dinner candles and some pretty tea lights.
Two large floral pillars stood proud at the entrance to welcome the guests, made up with a combination of Silk Foliage and flowers and a smattering of fresh to bring them to life. These are a great way to bring the wow factor as you can hire the base silk columns, a fraction of the cost of having them specially designed, and add a few stems to highlight your theme for the day.
Finally, I tucked a mix of foliages into the tops of the edging to soften the whole look and voila, the perfect intimate setting for your wedding, breakfast, lunch or dinner.
With everything in place, enter the cake, now, so many times I hear people saying that they’d love to make their own cake or Mums a fabulous baker/cook, well this is the perfect opportunity for the creative bakers and cooks amongst us to come into their own.
With only a handful of mouths to cater for you can save a fortune by cooking the meal or baking the cake yourselves.
But if you do feel like splurging out a little then you could look to a small local catering company to offer their services or splash out on a fabulously decorated wedding cake by @blushingcook A delicious lightly iced two tier cake covered in pressed edible flowers. A piece of heaven to round off the celebration.
So fear not, sometimes less really is more and this way, you get to choose what you save on and which bits warrant a splurge.
With special thanks to @serenityfilmandpictures @hannah.adams.photography for the stunning images of the day
Other ideas in areas to save:
Invite a friend or family member whose fab at photography, I’m sure they love to capture your day for you.
Check out the charity shops, now they’re open again. They have some fabulous vintage crockery, wine and water glasses, candle sticks and cutlery. You can do the rounds and end up with an amazing collection of beautiful eclectic table décor.
Do a calligraphy workshop and with your new skill you can create your very own invites, menus and place cards. Check out @inkandpaper_ldn.
Try your hand at a candle workshop and design your own table candles.
Dust off your Christmas lights and hang all around the garden for that whimsical party feel.
Look out for the next Micro wedding blog:
A lavish London affair………
Creatively yours
