With weddings being hugely restricted due to lockdown rules, it has been so inspiring to see the ways that couples have celebrated their love during these challenging times. One of the most popular alternatives to a big wedding celebration we've seen is choosing to opt for an intimate garden wedding! Think romantic, sentimental celebrations surrounded by natural beauty and your nearest and dearest. If you've been thinking an outdoor ceremony is the way to go, read on for our guide on how to throw the perfect intimate garden wedding.
The Great Outdoors...
While we're in the midst of a global pandemic, it's all about space when it comes to choosing a wedding venue. A garden venue is a perfect choice as it offers a spacious and open option so that all of your guests have room to socially distance. If you want to gently remind your guests to keep their distance from one another without sounding like a broken record throughout the day, prop cute little signs up around the venue!
Wedding Arch Goals...
Decorations are the key to elevating your garden wedding from a backyard bash to a truly romantic affair. Start with an eye-catching ceremony backdrop so that you and your beloved have a nicer background for your vows than your dad's rusty garden shed. If you want to cut down on costs, use your lockdown time to get crafty and build your own DIY backdrop for your ceremony! Adorn an elegant wooden archway with florals and greenery to create a totally awe-inspiring focal point at the end of your aisle.
DIY Decorations...
While we're on the topic of DIY, if you've got plenty of time on your hands (and let's be honest, these days we've all got nothing but time!) then why not craft your own wedding day decorations? Some of our favourite DIY decorations include succulent centrepieces, sweet wedding signs and rustic place settings. This is a great way to keep your wedding costs down and decorate your ceremony in a way that is super unique to you and your partner. Plus, it's a fun way to keep yourself busy while we've all been spending a lot more time at home.
Much Needed Relief...
There's nothing cute about bug bites, runny noses or grass stains on your outfit! At your wedding, be prepared for any situation by setting up a relief station that you and your guests can visit throughout the day. Equip your relief station with all the much-needed essentials like bug repellent spray, wet wipes and bandaids. Plus, don't forget that during these times it's also super important to stock your station with plenty of anti-bacterial hand sanitiser, tissues and disposable face masks!
Via Ann-Kathrin Koch
Shoe Parking...
There are so many pros to hosting an intimate garden wedding but there is one pretty serious con...high heels sinking into the grass! Eliminate this problem by having a shoe valet at your celebration. No, it's not someone who parks your guests' shoes! It's more like a group of pigeon holes for everyone's shoes so that your guests can dance the night away without getting any blisters or sinking into the soil.
Via Sarah & Ben
Lovely Lights...
Have you heard of hygge? It's a Danish word which pretty much sums up that cosy feeling you get when something makes your heart happy, and a lot of the time, it all comes down to lighting. When the sun goes down, the lighting you choose will illuminate your garden and engulf your guests in a super romantic glow. We recommend using twinkling fairy lights and elegant candles to create a truly enchanting ambience.
Via Austin Gros
Fragrant Florals...
No garden wedding is complete without an abundance of uber beautiful blooms! For the perfect intimate garden wedding styling, incorporate sweet florals into every nook and cranny you can find. Think elegant floral centrepieces, flower-filled table runners and blooms delicately entwined in chairs. Every enchanting garden wedding needs to resemble a floral oasis to some degree!
Via Heather Jowett
Wrap Up Warm...
Hosting an intimate garden wedding means that you're completely handing control of the temperature over to Mother Nature! So, prepare for any situation and make sure you've got some cosy blankets handy in case the weather turns chilly once the sun goes down. We love the idea of including a little sign next to your blankets that reads, "to have and to hold in case you get cold".
Via Villa Siena
Fan-tastic...
Just as garden weddings can turn unpredictably cold, they can also be unseasonably warm. If it's looking like your wedding day is going to be blessed with glorious sunshine, prepare each of your guests with a sweet paper fan to keep them cool. Not only will it keep everyone comfortable during the ceremony, but it'll also be a super cute wedding favour!
Via Etsy
Say It With A Sign...
We love cute wedding signs and right now, there is possibly no sign more relevant than this one! For anyone who has had to postpone their wedding due to the pandemic, this particular sign will certainly ring true. Plus, it'll be a super cute keepsake to remind you of your intimate lockdown wedding.
Via Etsy
Need to downsize your wedding to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions? Read our guide on how to uninvite people from your wedding in the nicest way possible here.
