Small Weddings

Big weddings are better than small weddings aren’t they?

No! Not necessarily. Yes, certainly, I have performed – and been a real part of – some incredibly beautiful bigger weddings. Some that moved me to tears. Some that had me skipping away in absolute delight….. and some that felt more like there was only 3 of us in the room.

But I have some amazing memories of smaller weddings. Some that were performed at home with family members only. Some that were so intimate that there were only five of us there, and we were all moved to tears – and laughter – and tears again.

A small wedding gives you the opportunity to celebrate in a more intimate way. You can say and do things that you might not feel comfortable doing in front of a large group. If the only people present are truly your closest friends or immediate family, you have nothing to hide. They know your secrets, and they love you for them.

Being invited to a small wedding is an honour. Your guests will feel important. They know their invitation comes from the heart. They know you really want them to be a part of something really, really special. Not just a spectator.

I once performed a wedding on the side of a cliff in a national park, at dusk, with only five people present. The waves crashed and the wind howled and we moved through the ceremony, hand in hand, each taking our turn to speak. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life.

Another small, immediate-family-only wedding, in the couple’s own garden was one of the best ceremonies I can remember. Because every guest was very, very important, we were able to speak to them directly, to stop and take it all in. Their wedding ceremony was a love-letter to their relationship, their family, and their future – and very, very romantic. Less people means less costs. Less fluff. But it doesn’t have to mean less love in the room. In my experience, it’s usually the opposite. It’s gorgeous.

This “breakfast” wedding was shared with 40 fabulous guests. Bride, Rebecca, kept her numbers low so she and brand-new-husband Casey could style everything beautifully and really enjoy the individual company of their guests. In response, the ceremony was light and friendly and full of in-jokes that only their closest friends and family  would know. The attention to detail was incredible, but the most important thing was definitely the way it made us all feel. Happy.

Photography by Bird & Bee Studio

Ms Gingham says: We love intimate, small weddings for all the reasons pointed out in this article!

Robyn Pattison says: “I am quite possibly the happiest marriage celebrant in Sydney! Weddings are my thing! Nothing makes me happier than a really happy couple – every time.”

Read more wise words by Robyn here.