If COVID-19 has meant that you've had to rethink your wedding plans, you might be looking for ways to celebrate your marriage without the big wedding. Although some elaborate celebrations might be off the table for a little while, we've got plenty of alternatives so that you can still get your nearest and dearest together and toast your new married life. Here are some of our favourite small celebration ideas to commemorate your marriage!
Via Elope To Nola
Did Somebody Say Cocktails?...
If you're compromising by having an intimate affair until you can celebrate your marriage in a more traditional way, opt for a cosy cocktail party with your closest family and friends! Rent out a small yet sweet venue or adorn your garden with flowers and fairy lights to create a romantic ambience. Wherever you decide to celebrate, it's important to keep spacing in mind so that your guests are able to socially distance. Create a cocktail menu that features your favourite boozy concoctions (if you need some inspo, check out our favourite wedding cocktails here), put together a killer playlist and get ready for a night to remember!
Shrimp On The Barbie...
What's more intimate than a fun, family BBQ? Get your favourite people together for a good old-fashioned barbie! This is a great way to keep your number of guests within restriction limits while still celebrating your marriage in a way that will make you feel all the love. Decorate your garden with twinkling lights, fragrant florals and charming candles, or support local wedding vendors and hire a styling company to turn your backyard into a romantic oasis. Being able to have everyone around one table instead of spreading out around a huge reception venue will make your celebration truly intimate and sentimental.
Via Tom Merton
Tea Time...
Disappointed about not getting to have your bride tribe dressed to the nines in front of all your wedding guests? Treat the ladies in your life to an elegant high tea instead! Put on your fanciest frocks and spend an afternoon sipping sweet teas and diving into delicious desserts. Plus, having an intimate celebration is the perfect opportunity to make things super personal. So, you could use your quarantine time effectively and put together a cute posy for each of your gal pals with a sentimental handwritten note to thank them for their support during these strange, changing times.
Via Sarah Lynn Paige
Picnic In The Park...
A picnic with a refined version of your wedding guest list is a totally sweet and romantic way to celebrate your marriage intimately. There are so many incredible stylists who can transform a corner of your local park into a beautiful bohemian wonderland or a sophisticated champagne celebration. Plus, hosting a small celebration in a gorgeous open space will make it easy for everyone to socially distance while still feeling super connected.
Games Night...
You know what never goes out of style? A games night with your closest pals! Prepare some wedding-themed games, good food and plenty of drinks and prepare for a night of big laughs and memories. Some of our favourite wedding games include trivia about the newlyweds, Guest Guess Who or a wedding-themed spin on the beloved Cards Against Humanity, Cads About Matrimony! This is one of those small celebration ideas that includes all the fun of a big wedding without having to squeeze yourself into your wedding day frock so you can be super comfortable.
Luck Of The Draw...
For a lot of people, food is the ultimate way to their heart. So, share that love with your refined guest list! Host a potluck dinner to celebrate your marriage with the people who are most important to you. This is a fun way to get everyone involved in the celebration and discover some great recipes to try out. Make the occasion even more lively by hiring some local musical talent to provide some tunes for the evening and create a fun atmosphere.
Struggling to plan a hens party now that clubs are out of action? Check out the best hens party ideas for the laid-back bride here.
