Don’t get us wrong, we love a large celebration, a lush, elegant, elaborate wedding, the longer the to do list the more satisfying it is when we help pull it all together. But one of our MOST FAVORITE weddings of 2019 was an intimate destination I Do at Emerald Lake Lodge near Banff Canada. And yes, the bucket list setting is of course a big reason why Kristine and Bo chose to have their wedding there, and why it makes our own event bucket list, but beyond the breathtaking backdrop, this intimate wedding checks all the boxes for a unforgettable event.
If you’re in the beginning stages of wedding planning, and you’ve ever considered a small scale wedding, current circumstances are perhaps guiding you in that direction, since small gatherings and mini celebrations are our only option for the foreseeable future. Though you might have to compromise on your guest list, the rest of the choices will be made easier than if you were contending with a larger guest count. Below are just a few of the reasons why a smaller affair may mean a higher quality, more intentional and beautiful event.
Venues — often times the size of a guest list dictates your choice of venue, but without that daunting max capacity in mind, there are almost no limits to the creativity and venue options for your big day. Maybe an off the beaten path B&B where guests can stay overnight was never an option because of guest count, maybe your favorite neighborhood restaurant that can only fit a cozy 50 in it’s private room was a far fetched hope, or an intimate hotel outdoor terrace with the city as your backdrop. With a smaller guest count, there are a lot of options to choose from.
Emerald Lake Banff Canada wedding photos by Orange Girl Photography
Quality time with guests — for Kristine and Bo, spending a weekend with their closest friends and immediate family was key. Their attention was not divided in too many directions, and the intimacy of their event allowed them to be present, to customize activities and elements of their day that would have been impossible to do with a larger group. An 8am post wedding hike with your entire wedding posey is not for the faint of heart, but the memories created could be priceless! If a choose-your-own-adventure event or brunch is more your speed, creating multiple options that all your guests will enjoy is a fun option and doable with a smaller group.
Enhanced guest experience — when asked what the number one priority when putting together plans for their big day, by far most of our clients state that the guest experience is the most important for them. Now more than ever, wowing your guests and ensuring that they are safe, taken care of, and are having an amazing time ranks high on the priority list. With much of your budget freed up because of a reduced guest count, you will be able to splurge on higher end photography, decor, rentals, and menu options, not to mention entertainment! For Kristine and Bo, exquisite details like handwritten handmade paper menus, elegant lush floral decor and a room bathed in candle light, in addition to a decadent menu, personalize guest gifts were the perfect complement to their amazing location. Putting together personalized notes and gifts for their guests, was a task that was not just “doable” but fun and intimate because every person on their guest list was someone they knew closely.
We’d love to help you take the lemons handed out by the current restrictions and turn them into some amazingly delicious lemonade. We’ve curated a list of venue that are perfect for intimate events and would love to help put together a compromise-free intimate event.
Chicago venues perfect for intimate events, many of them featuring outdoor spaces:
Chicago’s First Lady River Cruise
Planning & Floral Decor Elena's Garden Events //Ceremony & Reception Venue: Cilantro on the Lake- Emerald Lake // Photo Orange Girl Photos // DJ: Class Act DJ/Jeremy Pettet // Hotel: Emerald Lake Lodge// Hair Glamaway Beauty // Makeup Glamaway Beauty // Linen BBJ Linens // Tuxedos Indochino // Bride's Dress: Anomelie