WISH LIST Your Bristol & Somerset 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. MAKE AN IMPACT Rachel Terrett from Salt and Scent Events (https://saltandscent.co.uk) says: Treat your guests like VIPs. Smaller guest numbers offer the opportunity to go all out with an exquisite setup. When choosing a venue, make sure it isn’t too big that you risk the tables feeling lost in the space. Consider impactful table layouts that fill the room and allow everyone to feel connected. Adding in beautiful lounge furniture helps to dress the space too and will be enjoyed during cocktail hour for a relaxed sophisticated vibe. When planning an intimate tablescape, I advise going big and impactful with plenty of flowers and candles to really dress the space and elevate the room. Adding personalised notes at place settings is a wonderful, thoughtful way to tell your chosen guests how important they are to you. Go all out if you can on the finest food and drinks for your favourite people to enjoy. With entertainment, if you don’t plan to have additional evening guests, you may want to consider a relaxed roaming band that can follow from dinner rather than feeling the pressure of filling a big dancefloor – think chilled Ibiza vibes. YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED Gaynor Page from Topikki Stationery (www.topikki.co.uk) says: When it comes to buying or choosing stationery, the most important consideration is the necessity of buying in smaller quantities rather than being bound by multi-packs designed for larger affairs,which can end up being a false economy for a wedding of 50 or fewer. If your intimate setting is a personal preference, rather than due to budget, you might even have a little wiggle room to upgrade. Don’t despair, if budget is a little tight, there are designs, techniques and materials that scream intimate chic without breaking the bank. Your stationer should be able to help you navigate these choices. With a smaller guest list, you have the chance to really wow your guests. For that extra special touch, address those invitations, envelopes and signage in your own handwriting or calligraphed lettering on handmade paper. Adding a headshot of you as a couple, your beautiful venue, foiled monogram, vellum jackets or belly bands to your invitations can elevate the overall look, subtly shouting luxury and showing your guests you’re pulling out all the stops for their enjoyment and letting them know just how special they are to you. After all, your big day is about sharing love, and every detail counts. Victoria Priessnitz on Unsplash www.evedunlopphotography.co.uk 49 EXPERT ADVICE
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