Derick and I are having our destination wedding later this year in the Dominican Republic, but getting married legally in another country requires additional paperwork, time, and coordination. So we decided to do a court wedding to make it legal and make our destination wedding a symbolic ceremony.
With that being said, we decided to also celebrate our legal court marriage with our immediate families. It was held at Derick’s twin’s backyard patio (thank you again Kristine & Erick ❤️) and it was perfect! I ordered a bunch of decorations the Tuesday before the wedding LOL and coordinated the food with our families to prep. It was pretty last minute, but it was perfect for us celebrating our legal union before the bigger day in Punta Cana with our extended family and friends.
For those of you that are engaged or helping your loved ones plan their wedding, here are some considerations in having a more intimate celebration:
Pros:
- Personal Connections: One of the most significant advantages of an intimate wedding is the opportunity to foster genuine connections with each guest. With a smaller guest list, couples can spend more time interacting with their loved ones, creating memories, and sharing heartfelt moments. This allows for a more meaningful and intimate experience, making guests feel truly cherished and appreciated! We chose to have ours with just our immediate family which was still around 20 or so people!
- Cost-Effectiveness: Weddings can be expensive affairs, but with fewer guests, the cost per head is significantly reduced. Intimate weddings provide couples with the chance to allocate their budget more selectively, investing in personalized details, high-quality experiences, and elements that truly matter to them. This approach often leads to a more memorable event for everyone involved. We wanted a Korean / Filipino / favorite food themed wedding and our wishes came true — I also had a hotdog bar lol.
- Less Stress and Planning: Planning a wedding, regardless of size, can be stressful. However, with a smaller guest list, couples may find that the planning process becomes more manageable. Simplifying the logistics and decision-making can alleviate stress, allowing the couple to focus on the aspects of the wedding that hold the most significance to them.
- Unique Venue Options: Intimate weddings open up the possibility of hosting the celebration in unique and unconventional venues that might not be feasible for larger gatherings. From charming country cottages to picturesque vineyards to your family’s backyards, couples can choose locations that resonate with their personalities and preferences, creating a more personalized and memorable setting.
Cons:
- Limited Guest List: One of the most obvious drawbacks of an intimate wedding is having to exclude some friends and extended family members from the celebration. Difficult decisions may have to be made, and this could lead to disappointment or strained relationships with those not invited. However, this is your day and you should spend it the way you want and with who you want!
- Social Pressure: Depending on cultural or family expectations, some couples might face pressure to have a larger wedding. Friends and family members might not understand the couple’s desire for intimacy, potentially leading to disagreements or misunderstandings. And a lot of the time, financial restraints are what drives the wedding decisions, so do what is best for you and your partner! It’s your wedding!
- Reduced Vendor Options: Smaller weddings might not attract certain vendors who specialize in large-scale events. Couples might have to search more extensively to find vendors who are willing to cater to their intimate affair, potentially limiting their choices in terms of services and packages.
- Limited Entertainment Options: In intimate weddings, grandiose entertainment options like large bands or extravagant performances might not be practical or necessary. While the focus is on the couple and their love, some guests might miss the excitement that larger weddings often bring.
Intimate weddings come with their share of pros and cons, but what matters most is the couple’s vision for their special day. While a smaller celebration fosters personal connections, reduces stress, and offers unique experiences, it might not suit everyone’s preferences or cultural expectations. Ultimately, the choice between an intimate wedding and a larger affair should be based on the couple’s desires, budget, and the type of wedding that best reflects their love story! Whichever path they choose, it is important for their families and friends to respect their decisions and not take anything personally, because at the end of the day, it is about them! 🙂
Happy that we are finally legally married and excited to celebrate more in Punta Cana! Congrats to all the newly engaged couples out there! If you need any help or have any questions on wedding planning or having a destination wedding, feel free to reach out!
