Over the last few years we had the opportunity to experience small, intimate weddings in a whole new way. Pandemic regulations meant that we had to rethink what weddings looked like and scale down the celebrations to fit within these rules. Many couples took this opportunity to elope and other couples had to do a lot of pivoting and adapting during the pandemic. We appreciated is how special and personal a small wedding can be.
To me, a small wedding gives couples the chance to be vulnerable and intimate during the ceremony. Some of the best, most heartfelt vows I’ve ever heard have been in intimate settings. Plus, because you only have a handful of guests attending, you can spend more on creating personalized experiences for everyone that’s there with you and making the event even more memorable for them.
I would also note that just because you’re having a small wedding doesn’t mean that you can’t have a big vision for it. The details are still important — from the decor to the music and the setting — and you can bring them to life regardless of how many guests you have.
One example of bringing a big vision into a small setting is a beautiful elopement at Hycroft Manor that we hosted in 2021.
The day started with photos of the bride at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, where Hong Photography captured some gorgeous statement shots both inside and on the roof of the hotel.
The photographers also took advantage of the lovely art deco details and tiles you can find in the Manor once the bride arrived.
Given that it was May in Vancouver, and the Hycroft garden was filled with rhododendron blooms, it was the ideal setting for an outdoor ceremony. At the time, the regulations in BC only allowed for ten guests seated outside during the ceremony, and receptions of any kind were prohibited, but that didn’t stop us from creating a classic garden-inspired space for the event.
The bride wanted lots of white classic and elegant white florals, so we worked with Ruffled Rose to create lucious bouquets that sat in stone tureens perched atop short columns. These complemented the architectural features in the Hycroft garden as well as the floral semicircle the team created to frame the ceremony. Paired with the wonderful talent from Musical Occasions, the effect was wonderful.
As a special detail for the guests, the couple commissioned personalized cookies from Rain Bake Shop, who also baked the cake for the big day. These served the dual purpose of party favors and place cards so guests could find their seats.
As most ceremonies in small weddings, this one was filled with love and happy tears. And as the couple said “I do” to each other, the team from SoWedding was live streaming to all the guests that couldn’t attend. Plus, we had Vincent + Theo to capture everything on video.
After cake and champagne — and a quick outfit change by the bride — the couple had a private photo shoot using a few of our favourite spots in Hycroft Manor as their backdrops. The photos in the garden, on the terrace, and in the infamous green room all looked stunning, and the added detail of the white Rolls Royce from Ultimate Limousine was just icing on the cake.
We had so much fun planning this elopement at Hycroft Manor — and we’re excited to work with other couples that want to keep things small and intimate.
Thinking of having a small, intimate wedding? I’d love to help. Reach out so we can chat about what you’re thinking.