Why Small Weddings Create More Meaningful Moments: A Photographer's Perspective
In the world of weddings, there's a beautiful shift happening. More couples are choosing to celebrate their love in intimate settings, surrounded by only their closest family and friends. As a London-based intimate wedding and elopement photographer who has captured over 50 small ceremonies, I've witnessed firsthand how these celebrations create deeper, more authentic moments that simply can't be replicated in larger events.
The Magic of Being Present
When you invite 150+ guests to your wedding, you inevitably spend much of your day greeting people, making small talk, and ensuring everyone is having a good time. While there's nothing wrong with this traditional approach, many couples find themselves exhausted by the end, having barely spent any quality time together.
Small weddings flip this dynamic entirely. With just 20-30 of your closest people (or even fewer), you're free to be fully present in each moment. I've watched couples truly experience their wedding day rather than just survive it.
Ideal for couples planning weddings with guests coming from abroad, a small wedding allows for meaningful time with all of your guests, space for conversations and downtime. B & M planned a wedding of less than 60 people, with guests from both sides traveling from Brazil. The ceremony and buffet style reception welcomed all guests, while there was a two hour gap with drinks reserved for just closest family members, allowing the couple catch up and fully enjoy their day with their loved ones. That is also an advantage when using multiple venues, like a Town Hall for ceremony and a restaurant or pub for reception + party. You can explore that gallery here. Venue: LaLit Hotel, Islington Town Hall, Wagtail
Authentic Connections Make Better Photographs
As a photographer dedicated to telling love stories, I can confirm that smaller weddings create space for genuine emotion to unfold naturally. When you're surrounded by people who truly know and love you, there's no need to perform or keep up appearances. This authenticity translates into photographs that capture the real you—laughing unreservedly, shedding tears of joy, embracing loved ones with your whole heart.
The camera doesn't lie. When you're relaxed and present, your photos reflect that genuine connection.
Freedom to Create Your Own Traditions
Perhaps one of the most beautiful aspects of intimate weddings is the freedom they provide. Without the pressure of adhering to traditional wedding expectations, couples can create celebrations that truly reflect their relationship and values.
I've photographed small weddings where couples:
- Wrote and recited deeply personal vows without feeling self-conscious
- Incorporated unique cultural elements that might have been diluted in a larger setting
- Spent their budget on experiences rather than decorations
- Changed plans spontaneously to capture sunset photos when the weather cleared unexpectedly
This freedom allows your wedding to become a genuine reflection of your love story rather than a production following a predetermined script.
Quality Time With Every Guest
One common concern about large weddings is the limited time couples have with each guest. At intimate celebrations, this worry disappears. You can actually enjoy meaningful conversations and create memories with everyone present.
From a photography perspective, this means I can capture interactions with every single guest—the tearful hug with your grandmother, the laughter shared with your university roommate, the quiet moment with your father before walking down the aisle. These are the images that will become treasured heirlooms.
The Environmental and Budget Benefits
While not the primary reason most couples choose small weddings, it's worth noting the reduced environmental impact and potential cost savings. With fewer guests, you dramatically decrease waste from food, decorations, and travel.
This often allows couples to invest in aspects of their day that truly matter to them—perhaps splurging on a dream venue, hiring a private chef for an incredible dining experience, or extending their photography coverage to capture every special moment.
Is a Small Wedding Right for You?
After photographing countless weddings of various sizes, I believe there's no "right" way to get married. The perfect wedding is one that feels authentic to you and your relationship.
Consider a smaller celebration if:
- You value quality time over tradition
- You feel anxious about being the center of attention in a large crowd
- You dream of a more relaxed, less structured celebration
- You want to create space for genuine emotion and intimate moments
- You're drawn to locations that can't accommodate large groups
Capturing Your Intimate Celebration
Whether you're planning a micro-wedding with 20 guests, eloping with just your witnesses, or gathering 50 of your closest loved ones, I believe your celebration deserves to be documented with care and artistry. Every love story is unique, and intimate weddings create the perfect conditions for capturing those one-of-a-kind moments that define your relationship.
