How to Plan an Intimate Wedding: Everything You Need to Know
4/28/2025
Tips for Planning an Intimate Wedding Filled with Adventure
When it comes to your wedding, you want a day that feels like you — a celebration that’s deeply personal, maybe a little off the beaten path, and centered around your people. Whether you’re planning a cozy mountaintop ceremony or a weekend adventure with your closest crew, intimate weddings give you the freedom to blend the best of both worlds. They allow for meaningful moments with loved ones and space for adventure and connection with your partner. If you’re wondering how to plan an intimate wedding with guests that’s equal parts intentional and incredible, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from dreaming up your vision to designing a guest-friendly adventure.
Not sure if an elopement or intimate wedding is the better fit for you? This post breaks down the key differences between the two and provides tips to help you decide which one is right for you.
How to Plan an Intimate Wedding in 9 Simple Steps
Step 1: Define Your Vision
Before diving into logistics, let yourself dream a little (or a lot!). One of the most fun steps of intimate wedding planning is imagining what your day could look like (without the pressure of traditions or expectations).
A tip I always love to share with couples is this: set aside some time for a date night. Pop a bottle of wine, put on your favorite playlist, and dream about your intimate wedding out loud. Or get out a journal and brain dump all of your ideas together.
A few prompts and questions you can ask each other to get the wheels turning:
- Who do you want to spend the day with?
- How do you want to spend the day(s)?
- Where do you want to go?
- How do you want the day to feel? Do you care about structure or want things to unfold naturally?
- What kinds of experiences would you like to have?
Want the best of both worlds? You can have it! Just because you are planning an intimate wedding does not mean that you can’t also have time for just the two of you. For example, you can have a morning ceremony with your people, followed by a solo hike to a waterfall. Or, plan a two-day experience with day one dedicated to guests and day two set aside for just the two of you. The magic of planning an intimate wedding is that your day (or days) can look however you want! There are no rules and, as they say, the world is your oyster!
Step 2: Set a Budget
Budgeting for an intimate wedding is all about prioritizing what matters most to you. You get to decide how much to spend and where you want your money to go.
One of the perks of planning an intimate wedding is that with fewer guests, you often have more flexibility to splurge where it counts and DIY the rest.
For example, Elena and Max booked an epic Airbnb and invested in photography and a private chef. They made their own cake, bought flowers from Trader Joe’s, and created bouquets together with family. Their day felt luxurious and personal, all while prioritizing aspects that mattered the most to them!
No matter your priorities, understanding how to plan an intimate wedding in a way that reflects your unique values starts with building a budget around what matters most.
Budget Tip: Start by identifying your top 2–3 priorities (photography, food, location, etc.) and build your budget around those.
Step 3: Hire Your Intimate Wedding Photographer
Once you’ve outlined your vision and set a budget, the next step of planning an intimate wedding is finding an intimate wedding photographer that can help bring your vision to life.
Photography isn’t just about the photos — it’s about co-creating the experience. Choose someone who you feel comfortable around — who values what you value and can offer support every step of the way.
While many couples come to me already having a few ideas for their intimate wedding, part of our process together is fleshing out exactly what their day will look like. I send over a vision questionnaire that helps tease out not only what their day looks like, but how they want it to feel. Then, I craft 3–4 custom scenarios for them to choose from, and from there, we plan out different opportunities for adventure. It’s a collaborative and intentional process and is honestly one of my favorite parts of intimate wedding planning!
Step 4: Choose a Date and Location
You can’t have an intimate wedding without these two things: a date and a location.
When it comes to this step, there are a couple of ways to go about it:
- Choose your date first, then find a location that fits.
- Choose your location first, then select a date based on availability or seasonality.
Most of my couples prioritize the location first, as the setting truly determines so much about your wedding day. From where you can go to the type of experience you have, choosing your intimate wedding location and time of year is a foundational step in learning how to plan an intimate wedding that’s both beautiful and stress-free.
Pro Tip: Think about places that are meaningful to you, whether it’s a favorite hiking spot, a cozy cabin you’ve stayed in, or a destination you’ve always wanted to explore.
Need some ideas for where to hold you intimate wedding? Check out my favorite intimate wedding venues in the Catskills Mountains here!
Step 5: Hire Other Intimate Wedding Vendors
Just like your intimate wedding budget, when it comes to your intimate wedding vendors, you get to choose which vendors you need and which ones you want to prioritize. Every intimate wedding has different needs, but, in general, some popular intimate wedding vendors to consider are:
- Florist
- Officiant
- Hair and makeup artist
- Intimate wedding planner
- Private chef or caterer
- Airbnb or unique lodging
- Videographer
An intimate wedding doesn’t mean skipping out on details – it just means you’re spending intentionally on the things that matter to you.
Step 6: Apply for Permits and Marriage License
Most intimate weddings in nature will require two things: a permit and a marriage license.
Permits
If you are eloping in a national or state park, you will likely need a permit. Once you’ve decided on a location, check the location’s requirements to see if a permit is needed. Be sure to submit your application as early as possible and allow for adequate time in case of any processing delays.
Keep in mind that many locations also have limits on how many guests you can include, so be sure to check this detail when applying for a permit.
Marriage Licenses
The laws around marriage licenses vary by state and county, so once you have an idea of where you will be getting married, you’ll want to check your state/county specific requirements for the most up to date information.
If you are getting married on the East Coast here are the general requirements for the states I photograph in the most.
- Connecticut
- Both partners must appear in person at the vital records office in the town where you will be getting married.
- Complete your marriage license application and pay the $50 fee.
- There is no waiting period. Licenses are good for up to 65 days.
- Click here to learn more about Connecticut marriage licenses.
- Connecticut does not require any witnesses to be present at your ceremony, however, you will need an officiant to perform the ceremony.
- New York
- Both partners must appear in person at any town or city clerk’s office in the state.
- Complete your marriage license application in person and pay the $40 fee (for all areas outside NYC).
- There is a 24-hour waiting period before your license is valid. Licenses are good for up to 60 days.
- Click here to learn more about New York marriage licenses.
- New York requires at least one witness over the age of 18 to be present at your ceremony. You will also need an officiant to perform the ceremony. One-day marriage officiant licenses are available for anyone over the age of 18.
- New Hampshire
- Both partners must appear in person at any town or city clerk’s office in the state.
- Complete your marriage license application in person and pay the $50 fee.
- There is no waiting period. Licenses are good for up to 90 days.
- Click here to learn more about New Hampshire marriage licenses.
- New Hampshire does not require any witnesses to be present at your ceremony, however, you will need an officiant to perform the ceremony.
When in doubt, call the local clerk’s office for accurate information. Your officiant or photographer may also be able to help you navigate permits and marriage license questions as well.
Step 7: Book Your Travel and Accommodations
As your intimate wedding planning details finalize, you’ll want to make arrangement for any travel and accommodations you might night. I typically recommend couples complete this step at least 3-6 months before your wedding date, but you may want to book earlier, especially if you are getting married in a popular location or during peak time of year.
When planning an intimate wedding with guests, there are a couple of ways to plan:
- Reserve a group Airbnb where everyone can stay together (a great option for couples who want to maximize time with loved ones!).
- Book separate nearby stays for guests who want their own space.
Tips for Choosing Your Intimate Wedding Accommodations:
- Housing rules -> Be up front with your Airbnb hosts and share your plans for your elopement to avoid any unexpected surprises down the road.
- Parking space -> Does your Airbnb have enough parking for everyone?
- Proximity to your ceremony location -> less driving = more time together!
Step 8: Plan Your Timeline and Activities
Your timeline is where the magic comes together. A well-crafted timeline allows you to make the most of important moments while also weaving in adventure, intimacy, and celebration in a way that feels natural and fun.
Looking for inspiration on how to plan an intimate wedding timeline? Here is some inspiration from real couples:
Example 1
- Family breakfast + flower arranging together
- Private vow exchange in the forest
- Sunset ceremony with guests
- Private chef dinner at their Airbnb
Example 2
- Morning 5K run with guests
- Relaxed brunch
- Afternoon ceremony
- Evening campfire hangout
Want more time? Why not make it a multi-day event?
- Day 1: Guest-friendly excursion or welcome dinner
- Day 2: Ceremony + celebration with guests
- Day 3: Solo adventure session or send-off brunch
The best thing about planning activities for your intimate wedding is that you can design your day however you want! Whether you want to maximize time with loved ones, or include a mix of quality time together and alone, anything is possible!
Step 9: Inform Your Guests
The key to a relaxed, intimate wedding day is proper planning and communication. Once all your plans have been set, help your people know what to expect. (This is especially helpful as many of your guests will likely have never attended an adventure-style wedding before).
When sharing the details with your guests, be sure to include details like:
- Wedding date + time
- Ceremony location
- Timeline of events
- Transportation details (don’t forget about parking)
- Lodging options (if booking separately)
- What to bring/wear (shoes for hiking, layers, etc.)
- Accessibility info (if relevant)
- Leave No Trace reminders
Consider creating a wedding website that outlines all the important information in one easy-to-access place. Your guests will appreciate having this information up front and it will also make for a more relaxed, stress-free experience for everyone!
Ready to Start Planning Your Intimate Wedding?
When it comes to designing your dream wedding day, you don’t have to choose between adventure and connection. With the right planning, you can have both. Your intimate wedding can be a space for quiet vows and laughter around a campfire, and for awe-inspiring views and heartfelt toasts.
If you’re dreaming of a day like this and want support navigating how to plan an intimate wedding full of adventure, I’m here to help! Simply reach out by clicking on the button below and together, we’ll craft your dream wedding experience.
