Small Weddings great ideas

Making Big Wonders with Small Weddings
Having a lavish and big wedding may be nice, but having a small and intimate wedding can be just as nice. What's important is not to forget the reason behind celebrating a wedding in the first place. Sharing the love that you have for each other in front of people that you love.

Some people prefer shorter guest lists, tying the knot in the presence of immediate family members and a few sponsors. Others opt for the legal alternative, getting hitched in front of a judge, signing a marriage contract before a pair of witnesses. Receptions are usually held at home or in restaurants, as hotels and big function halls do not accept bookings for fewer than 120 guests.

But small does not necessarily mean your options are limited. Small weddings still present plenty of opportunities for fun and exciting ideas.
Here are some tips on how you can make a small wedding extra special:

1. Since you are expecting fewer guests, consider a smaller venue to keep the ceremony solemn and intimate. Places like town chapels and rooms in museums would be perfect. If you dream of having your wedding outdoors, beaches and yachts are wonderful sites. You can even rent out an exclusive section in restaurants. But note that establishments rarely advertise that they are open to hosting such events, so you might need to inquire first.

2. If you are not planning for a church ceremony, give your wedding a more casual flair. For a wedding at home, a pre-ceremony cocktail party would be a good opportunity for your relatives to socialize and, for those who have traveled a long distance to get there, unwind and relax a bit before all the formalities begin. Plus, having both the ceremony and reception at home is more cost-efficient. You can pass on rental fees and just arrange your space to make sure you can comfortably accommodate all guests.

3. If your budget is not that tight, an offshore wedding would be nice. Your big day could double as a vacation for the couple and their selected guests. You can jumpstart the preparations before you leave and iron out the details when you get there. For a smooth-sailing celebration, make sure to find a site that can accommodate all your needs. Possible venues abroad include famous historical buildings, vineyards, lighthouses, quaint chapels and beaches.

4. You can also put your own twist to traditional wedding rituals such as the procession of the guests and the entourage. For small venues, have the bridesmaids and groomsmen line up along both sides of the aisle, holding up flowers as the bride walks to the groom. All attendees can even gather around the couple to witness the ceremony more closely. During the reception program, you can introduce and share with your guests your family traditions. The couple may even assist and usher their guests around for a more familiar and comfortable feel.

5. Use the event as an opportunity to bond with your relatives and get to know the family of your better half. Take time to chat with them. Let close friends share stories about you. The good thing about small weddings is that there is less pressure to impress hundreds of guests. You can relax and take comfort in the company of the people dearest to you, those you love and care for most in your life. For a unique memorabilia, encourage attendees to write whole-page messages on your guestbook.

The number of guests and the enormity of the event do not define how your marriage will fare. Weddings, big or small, signal the start of a lifelong bond. It does not matter whether the affair is extravagant or modest. What’s more important is that the couple gets to celebrate their vows and have their loved ones share in on their happiness.
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Guest invitation

1. RSVP. Immediately.
RSVP is French for “please respond” (répondez s’il vous plaît). Your most important obligation as a guest is to respond to the invitation immediately, especially if you are unable to attend. At the very least, it allows your host and hostess enough time to give an accurate count to the caterer. There is usually a card to return with your reply. If not, you may write a formal reply or a note indicating your intention.
2. Respect your invitation.
Do not ask your host or hostess if you can bring a date or your children. The invitation will be addressed to the people invited. If you may bring a guest, your invitation will read “Mr. John Phelps and guest.” If your children are invited, they will either receive their own personal invitations or their names will be listed under yours on the envelope. This is not the time to question your host’s decision, to argue or to beg for an exception. And, please, do not add their names to a reply card or show up with them anyway!
3. Send a gift.
If you are invited to the ceremony and/or reception, you should send a gift, whether you are attending or not. Generally, gifts are sent to the bride in advance of the wedding. In some localities, gifts are brought to the reception and placed on a special table. If you hear from family that the couple would prefer a charitable donation—as in the case of an older couple or an encore wedding—please respect their wishes. If you receive an announcement after the wedding has taken place, you may send a gift if you wish, but you have no obligation to do so. It is nice to acknowledge the announcement with a card or a note expressing your best wishes.
4. Be on your BEST behavior.
Be on time, wear appropriate clothing and be respectful during the marriage ceremony. Pay your respects to the hosts, the wedding party and other guests at the reception.

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Outdoor wedding tips

Pick a good time for your wedding
The heat can be brutal on your wedding. But even if you're okay standing in the sun, think of your guests. High temperatures are not for everyone, especially older people and little kids. To avoid the heat (and the crowds), consider a morning or sunset ceremony. Can't schedule your ceremony at one of these times? Go ahead and have it in the afternoon, but find a shady spot on the beach that's likely to catch a cool breeze. Be sure to check what the weather will be like, and inform guests so they can dress accordingly. Also check the tide schedules. Also be sure to choose a resort and make reservations far enough in advance!

Wedding Aisle Assurance
If you're walking down the aisle and it rained the night before, watch your step! Heels can get stuck and sink into wet grass. take a practice walk beforehand so you know what to expect

Unpredictable wedding weather
Fall weather can be unpredictable: what starts out as a sunny warm day can turn into a chilly evening.  Be prepared for both extremes.  Have portable heaters available if you’re planning an outdoor fall wedding, and dress the bridal party in layers.

Candles outside
Using candles in your ceremony or reception? Use them with glass hurricanes so the wind doesn't extinguish the flame
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Bringing a Photographer to Your Destination Wedding

By  Robert Evans

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Summer 2006

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Something will likely go awry on your wedding day, especially if you have planned a destination wedding from afar. But certain mishaps are much easier to take in stride than others: If the cake is not what you envisioned, you will soon forget its strangely tinted icing and put it behind you. But if your photographs turn out to be a huge disappointment, you will spend a long time regretting your choice of photographers with no way of fixing the situation.
While some mistakes are unavoidable, investing in the right photographer for a destination wedding can help prevent terrible photos -- and unnecessary stress. When planning a wedding in a city or country with which you are not familiar, asking a photographer you know from your area to travel to the wedding is a wise choice. You will have greater control over the outcome of one of the most important elements of your wedding: those precious printed memories.
Finding a great photographer is made much easier these days, whether by searching the internet, asking friends and family for personal recommendations or looking through magazines for advertisements that catch your attention. Any savvy, reputable photographer has a Web site showcasing his or her style and philosophy, and these galleries are a great place to narrow your search to those you want to interview. The beauty of hiring a photographer close to home is that you can meet in person on multiple occasions to plan your event. It also makes ordering albums and prints after the wedding far more convenient. By sticking with a local photographer, you have the ability to work together before the wedding on your engagement photos, which will allow you to develop a solid “working” relationship that wouldn’t be possible with a destination photographer.
As with any wedding professional, a photographer who travels for a wedding will expect to have certain expenses paid. This also qualifies for any assistants you agree to hire. If you choose to bring the photographer of your dreams with you to your destination wedding, you will be responsible to pay for the photography team’s round-trip airfare, accommodations, transportation, as well as a per diem to cover food, tips and other miscellaneous expenses incurred while traveling.
Some photographers might even charge an additional fee for a “weekend buyout.” This covers any revenue that might be lost because the photographer would be out of town and unavailable to return home for a Sunday event. A photographer might also charge for actual travel time. Of course, fees and expenses will vary from photographer to photographer and depend greatly on your wedding location. Each photographer works differently, so ask very detailed questions in order to get very detailed answers.
If your photographer does charge you a weekend buyout fee, you might want to negotiate that he or she shoots your rehearsal dinner and/or Sunday brunch for free in exchange. Having your photographer photograph the rehearsal dinner is a great way for him or her to get to know family members and meet your guests ahead of time. It can make a huge difference to everyone involved when the group is familiar and comfortable with the photographer.
If your wedding is on a Saturday, arrange for your photographer to arrive on the Thursday before so he or she has plenty of time to settle in, scout the location, and perhaps adjust to a new time zone. He or she will then be ready to shoot the rehearsal dinner on Friday night, if need be. The photographer can choose to fly home after the wedding on Sunday or extend his or her stay until Monday to enjoy a long weekend. (Note: If your wedding falls Monday through Thursday, you may be able to negotiate a better rate since most wedding photographers’ busy days are Friday through Sunday.) The client should be responsible for paying for the first three nights of the photographer’s stay. The fourth night is optional but sometimes covered as a gesture of appreciation for a job well done. If your wedding happens to be out of the country or the photographer has to fly more than eight hours to reach your wedding, you should pay for a minimum of five nights, giving he or she enough time to arrive and be fully rested before working the long hours associated with shooting your wedding weekend.
When it comes to destination wedding planning, it is hard to put a price tag on piece of mind. By making this greater financial investment, you will be able to better control the quality and style of your photographs. You will also be able to choose a person with whom you feel comfortable spending the day or entire weekend. You will know what to expect before the big day unfolds.

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