Molly + Alex’s intimate wedding on the Connecticut Shoreline wove in so many special moments. They chose to forgo many traditional wedding practices to create a day unique to them! This blog post not only highlights the sweetest early May wedding day, but also some of the ways you can create a more intimate feel, even if you choose to have a bigger wedding.
Creating a Peaceful Intimate Wedding Morning
Molly and Alex began their wedding day surrounded by immediate family at home! This set the tone for a relaxed and intimate start to their wedding day.
Create an intentional morning:
- Molly enjoyed a quiet walk along the shoreline with her closest friends before hair and makeup
- This offered a break from the bustle, allowing her to breathe in the moment before the big day ahead
- For Alex, he spent the morning having brunch with his family and then met Molly at her home after
Create a vision for what you want your morning to feel like:
- Molly + Alex chose to keep their morning simple
- They focused on family time, rather than a larger wedding party
- This set a calming tone that carried through to the rest of the day
Pro Tip for Intimate Weddings:
- If you’re planning an intimate wedding in Connecticut, keep your morning relaxed by spending it with your immediate family and closest friends. Simple moments, like brunch or a quiet walk, will help you feel grounded and present for the day ahead.
Here, Molly asked her friend (and officiant) to come over and spend some quiet moments together before her first look. The two chatted away and calmed Molly’s nerve. It was a special moment to witness.
First Look with Family Portraits
There are lots of ways to make sure you are soaking in every moment of your day. One of the best ways to do this, is by planning a first look with immediate family members. This allows you to have those important pre-ceremony moments, freeing up time for cocktails and mingling with guests later.
Molly and Alex’s first look was very private with just each other. Their immediate family joined shortly after, ensuring that everyone was present in those precious pre-ceremony memories. This simple addition created more space for them to enjoy their cocktail hour without feeling rushed.
Pro Tip:
- A first look isn’t just for the couple! This is a great opportunity to include family + friend portraits. First looks make sure all your important people are captured in those early moments.
Forgoing a Traditional Wedding Party
Molly and Alex made the decision to forgo a traditional wedding party. Any wedding size can do this, not just intimate weddings. (In fact this is one way to make a larger wedding day feel more intimate!) Instead, they focused on being in the presence of loved ones before and after the ceremony and their officiant, a dear friend, helped make their ceremony even more personal.
Forgoing a traditional wedding party creates a more relaxed wedding experience. It takes the pressures off of coordinating a larger wedding party but still allows ways for you to honor friends. Molly + Alex instead chose quiet moments before the ceremony and celebrating during the reception to honor those connections. They had more time in their timeline and truly got to have some lovely moments during the actual celebrations.
Tip for Planning:
- If you’re not feeling a traditional wedding party, or just have wayyy too many friends to include – consider alternative ways to involve your loved ones! Below are some ways to include your special humans:
- Have friends come early to just hang and get ready with you
- Involve friends in your ceremony such as an officiant or musical talent at the start, during, or end of your ceremony
- Private letters to each of them with intentional time set aside to love on them
- Making sure to spend all of cocktail hour with everyone
- Yoga in the morning with everyone, or beach walks like Molly
Crafting a Reception That Speaks to You
For Molly and Alex’s intimate wedding on the Connecticut shoreline, their reception wasn’t about tradition, it was about creating an experience that felt true to them. They chose to start with heartfelt welcome speeches from their parents before diving into dinner and dancing the night away.
The key to creating a reception that’s perfect for your intimate wedding:
- Choose a flow that feels right to you, not what’s expected
- After photographing hundreds of weddings, I can assure you there’s no one-size-fits-all for wedding receptions
- Every couple should be encouraged to think about what truly matters most to them
Tip for Reception Planning:
- If you’re planning an intimate wedding reception, think about the vibe you want! Whether it’s speeches, dancing, or quiet moments with close friends, anything is game. When you prioritize what makes you feel joyful, your guests will also feel that connection.
Not sure if an elopement or intimate wedding is the better fit for you? This post breaks down the key differences between the two with tips helping you decide what is best!
Ready to Create the Intimate Wedding of Your Dreams?
Reach out today if you’re dreaming of a small, intimate wedding in Connecticut or New England. I’m here to guide you in creating the perfect day that reflects your love story! Whether it’s a beachside ceremony, a quiet forest elopement, or a serene mountaintop celebration, I got you 🙂
Additional Beautiful Moments from Molly + Alex’s Intimate Wedding in Connecticut
The Amazing Vendors for Molly + Alex’s Intimate Wedding
- Venue: Penfield Pavilion | https://www.pavilionsatpenfieldbeach.com/
