HOTTOPIC Our experts offer stellar wedmin advice on planning an intimate wedding IT’S PARTY TIME Bryn Towning, DJ Yorkshire (www.dj-yorkshire.co.uk) says: First and foremost, look for professionalism, reliability and experience in curating tailored experiences for your small gathering. Work closely with your DJ to curate a personalised playlist that reflects your tastes and personalities. Since the guest list is smaller, you have the opportunity to cater to individual preferences more easily. Also, ensure clear communication with your DJ about the atmosphere you want to create. Whether it’s a laid-back vibe or a lively dance party, conveying your vision helps your entertainment provider tailor their performance accordingly. In intimate settings, the DJ setup needs to be proportionate to the space. Discuss logistics with your DJ to ensure their equipment fits seamlessly without overwhelming the venue. With a smaller crowd, there may be more opportunities for guests to make song requests. Embrace this interactive element, but also communicate any do-not-play songs or genres in advance. Unlike larger weddings, in an intimate setting, the DJ should be mindful of volume levels to avoid overwhelming conversations. A skilled DJ can adjust the sound system to maintain an appropriate balance. Finally, work with your DJ to incorporate personalised touches, like a first dance song, dedications, or surprise performances that enhance the intimate atmosphere and create lasting memories. SMALL YET MIGHTY WISH LIST Your Yorkshire Wedding editor Kelly Andrews says: One of the toughest parts of planning an intimate wedding is narrowing down the guest list. After all, deciding just who makes it into the very select group is an important decision; presumably the reason you’ve opted for intimate is that you don’t want to invite Uncle Tom Cobley and all so be careful not to jeopardise that vision. Start by thinking about those you can’t envision your day without. Think of those people who’ve had a positive impact on your life and your relationship. Receiving a wedding invitation is an honour, it’s a way of thanking them for being there for you both. You want to create an environment of love, support and well wishes, so curating a list of those closest to your hearts will help you to achieve this. Start by sitting down together, just the two of you, and coming up with a list of everyone you’d consider inviting, then whittle it down from there. Eventually, you’ll be left with a top tier of your very nearest and dearest. Family politics can often come into play, so it might be wise to talk to parents/ guardians before you finalise things though, just to make sure you’re not making a huge faux pas that will ultimately cause you stress and tension. But in general, if you haven’t seen them since you were six and you have no intention of doing so again after the big day, there’s no need to invite them. They should understand. Remember, you’re buying these people dinner, and you want to feel happy about doing so for those who are by your side on this most momentous of days. Kari Bjorn Photography on Unsplash 55 ASK THE EXPERTS
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