Wedding group shots are quite often hit and miss. It can be a nightmare to coordinate everyone, as well as trying to avoid it looking too cheesy. For a smaller gathering, you can work with your photographer to capture these beautiful moments with your loved ones in an artistic way. Whether you’re looking for shot ideas for your wedding party or your entire guest list, we’ve picked out seven ideas to inspire you.

1. The ‘All-In’ Portrait

If you are having a small wedding, get your photographer to take a shot of everyone on your guest list. It will be a wonderful keepsake in the years to come.

2. The Seated Shot 

Chairs, benches – even a dock, can make for a great photo composition.

3. The Huddle

What better way to display your affection for your bridesmaids (or your family), than with a group hug?

4. Back to the Camera

Sometimes all it takes to add some interest to a photograph is to switch up the angle. This shot shows off the back of the dresses, and of course celebrates your friendship.

5. Casual Poses

Forget trying to arrange your guests in a stiff format of height order or color coordination. This is such a simple idea that looks great. Use the different elements around you to create different layers of height in your image.

6. Behind The Scenes

We all know that the best images usually come from your photographer snapping away whilst you’re getting on with the day. Getting dressed with your friends is a classic image, especially for those who are really not in favor of posing.

7. Waist Up 

Share the love, with this cute shot. From the waist up, all eyes are on the couple and the scenery in the background is really at its best.

Photo one: rocknrollbride.com; Photo two: Frosted Petticoat; Photo three:Belle the Magazine; Photo four: Lindsay Madden; Photo five: jamespaulcorreia.com; Photo six: stylemepretty.com; Photo seven: davidrobertson.com.au

Are you looking for breathtaking views, a romantic setting, as well as unparalleled service and accommodation for your dream destination wedding? Then look no further than Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Jamaica. Located in beautiful Montego Bay – with easy air access from major international cities, Round Hill is a hidden gem of a venue with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea and the tropical rainforest.

If an intimate atmosphere and dedicated service is what you’re after, Round Hill offers assured exclusivity that your wedding is the only for the weekend. Their on-site planners and hospital staff are there to provide stress-free planning and personalized service, making sure your every need is attended to during your stay.

The resort can accommodate anywhere from 2 up to 150 guests and offers a variety of venues for you to say I do – from golden sand beaches on the Caribbean Sea to the Hanover Terrace with its stunning views of the rainforest.

Whether you choose one of the resort’s luxurious private villas with a swimming pool and dedicated staff or a Ralph Lauren inspired Oceanfront Hotel Room that opens to the Caribbean Sea or the Infinity Pool, your stay at Round Hill Hotel and Villas is one you won’t soon forget!

To learn more about what the resort has to offer – including an award winning chef and culinary team, exceptional services and wedding packages, and value added benefits available only to wedding couples – check out the Round Hill Hotel and Villas Website and their Facebook page.

Sponsored Post.

Photo Five: James Christianson

With their European vacation already booked, Ashely and Chase decided to make the most of their 36 hours in Paris by eloping in front of the Louvre. Without the added stress and pressures of a wedding to contend with, the couple felt free to celebrate their love for each other and their union in the way that felt most right to them – by popping champagne, eating macarons, and dancing around their hotel room!

A huge thanks to Brant Smith for sending over the photos and letting us share in Ashley and Chase’s joyous day.

Ashley, 28 & Chase, 32

Paris, France

Wedding Date: January 20, 2015

Number of Guests: 0

Wedding Ceremony Location: The Louvre

Wedding Reception Location: None

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

Our relationship is built on trust, love, humor, and most of all simplicity. As fast paced and overwhelming as our lives can be, we always find our grounding within each other. We celebrated our love for each other and our future life together without the added stress and pressures we felt would take away from the simplistic values that we share.

What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

I had wonderful recommendations from our photographer Brant Smith. I am also a logistics machine, so we honestly didn’t have any.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

When we decided to marry in Paris it was only a few short weeks before our planned vacation to Europe. With the last minute timing and extremely short visit to Paris, – 36 hours – it made it nearly impossible to accommodate guests.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

We were firm with our decision to marry in Paris and told our close loved ones as soon as possible after we decided. We asked our family and friends to help us prepare for our day and be as involved as they would like to be. From the lovely bridal shower to the hand tailored suit, our family and friends could not have been more supportive.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

Because it was a crisp January afternoon, the courtyard of the Louvre felt private like it was reserved just for us. My personal highlight is that I have never seen my husband smile so big.

What were the highlights of the reception?

We didn’t have one, but we did pop bottles of champagne, devour macarons, and dance around our suite to the French radio stations.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

Our day wasn’t spiked with seating chart blunders, linens that just didn’t quite match the centerpieces, or a little too tipsy bridesmaid. We didn’t need to cover our ears from noisy complaints or whining concerns. My hair fell out of place and a button on my dress popped, but there were no Aunt Anna Wintours to judge me, just a loving husband to brush my hair behind my ear and pinch the back of my dress to hold me together.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Know that having an intimate wedding does not mean sacrificing special moments with your family and friends. You can involve them in your planning as much as you like.

Vendors:

Photography: Brant Smith Photography. We can’t say enough about him; he is amazing. The photos are stunning! He knew the best places to shoot and was very flexible with our requests. He made our day perfection!

Hotel: Renaissance Paris Le Parc Trocadero. The suite was beautiful and the location was excellent. They wrote us a sweet welcome note and congratulations note. They had champagne waiting in the room for us each night. We felt extremely well taken care of.

Hair and Makeup: Allison Depriestre. She was very sweet and very professional. She did a great job.

Car Service: Blacklane Service. A new 7 series picked us up right on time and at an unbeatable price.

Officiant: Une Belle Ceremonie. Professional and pleasant.

Making the choice to have an intimate wedding was an easy decision for Leila and Sten; it was always their dream to say their ‘I do’s’ surrounded by only their closest family and friends. To make their ideal wedding even dreamier, the couple exchanged their vows in Tuscany, celebrating their nuptials over their entire three day Italian stay with those they love the most. Does it get any more magical than that?

Special thanks to Stefano Santucci for sharing all the beautiful photos with us today!

Leila, 34 & Sten, 30

Florence, Italy

Wedding Date: September 20, 2014

Number of Guests: 27

Wedding Cost: $28,000 USD

Wedding Ceremony Location: Antico Spedale del Bigallo

Wedding Reception Location: Villa Le Piazzole, Firenze

Why did you have an intimate wedding? 

It was always our dream to have an intimate wedding with our closest friends and family members.

What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding? 

We did have some moments when people were expecting to be invited and we had to explain that we wanted it to be intimate and couldn’t extend the invitation to everyone…it was not always easy.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list? 

We both have a pretty clear group of best friends and close family, so it was probably less of a challenge than for other couples.

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them? 

As explained above, in some cases we had to explain why not everybody was invited. All in all, having the ceremony in Italy (we were living in The Netherlands at the time) and not wanting to ask our guests to have to pay any of the costs for the three days were also good reasons to keep it intimate.

What were the highlights of the ceremony? 

It’s difficult to select only one, but for me (Leïla), the moment that I entered the balcony of the city hall and saw Sten was truly special; seeing the look on his face was better than I ever could have imagined! It was just magical, the whole day was just magical!

And right after the ceremony, the kissing and congratulating part with all our guests was also wonderful.

What were the highlights of the reception? 

We loved the cocktail hour by the swimming pool; with the sunset, the music, and all our loved ones together, it was fantastic! And during the dinner, the surprises from our guests were truly amazing.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding? 

That we had time with each and everyone and that we could welcome them in a magical place for three days – sharing with them a long weekend we will all remember for the rest of our lives.

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding? 

Go for it! Try not to worry about the ones that are not invited. People that truly love you will completely understand your guest list and choices, and will be happy to share a moment with you once you are married. If you are like us, and want to spend the day having time for each other while also being able to talk and share everything with your guests, you should not hesitate. And also, if you can, extend the wedding for three days. We were so happy the day after to still have time to relax at the swimming pool and have feedback from everyone. The key is: don’t forget that it is your day –  you should be able to choose what you both want.

Vendors:

Venue: Villa le Piazzole

Wedding Planner: The Tuscan Wedding

Wedding Dress: Kalaury – Les C.K.L.Z

Flowers: Floreart

Catering: Roland’s

Photography: Stefano Santucci Studio

If you want to go from drab to fab, just add a chandelier! Chandeliers can transform just about any raw space into a magical setting.

No matter what look you are going for, whether it’s rustic or all-out elegance, chandeliers are one of the most effective ways to elevate your decor. And there are so many varieties! Here are ten of our faves:

1. Driftwood Installation 

The driftwood has a natural prettiness to it, and adds a touch of refinement to a rustic look. The hanging glass spheres with tealight candles are the perfect finishing touch.

2. Floral Wreath

Keep things simple by hanging a wreath of tiny blooms with lengths of ribbon.

3. Nautical Glam 

A nautical theme doesn’t always require blue and white stripes and seaside treats. This hanging ship is an elegant way to add some individuality to a popular theme.

4. Woodland Lighting 

What could be more fitting for a woodland inspired affair than this chandelier? Branches and greenery combine to create a piece that brings the outdoors into your reception.

5. Window Light 

You don’t have to wear the ‘something old’ just add it to your decor instead. An old window pane with some leaves and candles placed on top makes for a lovely alternative to a traditional chandelier.

6. Glittered Feathers

Go the DIY route by cutting out feather shapes and customizing them with paint and gold glitter. Hang them up to go with an Art Deco theme.

7. Test Tube Florals 

Using flowers for a chandelier is such a gorgeous wedding idea. Using test tubes is a simple yet sophisticated idea with an unexpected twist. Adding fresh blooms will instantly brighten up your venue.

8. Industrial Chandelier 

Chandeliers don’t have to be conventionally pretty. If you’re not into crystals, then this industrial-style light could be a good option. It will look great in a warehouse space.

9. Wooden Crate 

This shows how a simple object can be used to create an eye-catching piece. The wooden crate forms the base with crystals and flowers used to create a chandelier effect.

10. Full of Greenery 

A barn with signature wooden beams, requires little decoration. Adding some greenery to the space complements the wood. These chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling have a great mix of abundant greenery and exposed bulbs.

Photo one: kristynhogan.com; Photo two: laurengabrielle.com; Photo three: josevillablog.com; Photo four: lindseyjohnsonphotography.com; Photo five: josh-deaton.com; Photo six: 100layercake.com; Photo seven: onewed.com; Photo eight: ruffledblog.com; Photo nine: weddingchicks.com; Photo ten: josevillablog.com