With only eight guests allowed at their Philadelphia City Hall ceremony, Genna and Ian had no problem limiting their guest list to immediate family only (even if they did sneak in a few extra guests than they were permitted!). The newlyweds followed their short, but sweet civil ceremony with a cozy reception at their favorite restaurant that was full of good food, great family, and lots of love – making for the perfect ending to an already perfect day.

Thanks to Inna Spivakova of Peach Pear Plum Photography for sharing Genna and Ian’s special day with us!

Genna, 26 & Ian, 26

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Wedding Date: November 20, 2014

Number of Guests: 12

Wedding Cost: $4,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: City Hall

Wedding Reception Location: Talula’s Garden 

Why did you have an intimate wedding? 

We both believed that our wedding day should be a celebration of our love, not focused on a party for other people. We both come from large families and having an intimate party for just our immediate family members was more meaningful for us.

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

The biggest challenge for us was keeping our plans a secret. Only our immediate family members who would be attending the City Hall ceremony were aware of our plans. We were married soon after we were engaged so we took quite a few people by surprise! Otherwise, planning our small event was very easy.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

No, we knew right away that we only wanted immediate family present for both the reception as well as the ceremony.

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

City Hall in Philadelphia only allowed for eight people to attend the actual ceremony. We were actually very lucky because we did manage to sneak in a few extra family members! This limitation was actually more helpful than hurtful in our planning process because it helped us draw a line between who needed to be there and who would like to be there. We explained to close friends who knew of our elopement plans the limitation and they were very understanding and supportive of our decisions to keep our wedding very small.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

The ceremony itself was very brief, which was exactly what we wanted. It focused on only the necessary words that joined us as husband and wife. The judge who performed the ceremony was very kind and made us feel comfortable in such a brief span of time. The one notable hiccup was that the judge called us by the wrong names at first – which helped break the ice and made everyone laugh! Our family was able to gather around us in a half circle, which felt so intimate and special.

What were the highlights of the reception?

With our small party size, we were able to have our reception at one of our favorite restaurants in Philadelphia. We planned our dinner ahead of time with a coordinator and they had menus printed with our names and dinner options for our families. There was plenty to eat and drink, even for those members of our party who had dietary restrictions. Everyone in our party was happy and it was a perfect ending to our special day.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

We were able to focus on each other and the commitment we were making and not on a big party with lots of friends and family members. It was important for us to have a photographer to capture moments from our private day to share with family and friends later and accompany stories from our celebration. At the end of our wedding day, we had no regrets about our decision to have an intimate gathering in celebration of our marriage.

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

If you and your partner have decided that an intimate wedding is for you, don’t feel guilty about this decision. Some family members may make you feel bad for your choices, but it’s important to remember that your wedding is about you both as a couple, and not your family and friends. At the end of the day, if they love you, they will support your decision.

Vendors:

Reception Venue: Talula’s Garden

Photography: Peach Pear Plum Photography

Flowers: Pure Design Flowers

We’ve seen the steady rise of non-traditional wedding dresses over the past few years. 2014 really brought them into the forefront with many brides opting for stylish alternatives. We predict that this trend will continue this year with jumpsuits, pants, separates and plenty of color. There are no rules when it comes to finding your own style for your wedding day. Plus, if you’re thinking outside of the white wedding dress box then you’ll be surprised at the amount of options out there.

Bridal separates give you the opportunity to really create a unique look. Last year also saw the crop top trend make its way into bridal fashion. A high-waisted skirt paired with a sleeved midriff-baring top works this trend in a feminine but edgy way.

You can look outside of the bridal boutiques if you’re going for separates. Combining pieces from different stores will build your own look. This is also good for your budget as you can go for an intricate embellished top and pair it with a simple and inexpensive skirt. Who said that a pencil skirt isn’t wedding appropriate? When worn with a satin bustier and lace overlay it definitely is.

Take wearing something blue to another level with an all-blue wedding dress. A subtle hue gives a vintage feel with the lace details.

Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2015 is Marsala. A rich color that deserves to take center stage and will look ridiculously pretty for a bohemian affair.

Metallic wedding dresses were another runway trend that can be achieved with embellished details.

Comfort need not be the only reason for wearing trousers or a jumpsuit, they are such a stylish way to have a unique bridal look. 

For a feminine take on the tux, this white jumpsuit is just the thing. Perfect for a City Hall wedding followed by an intimate meal. Pairing trousers with a detailed camisole has a sophisticated look.

 Photo one: thelane.com; Photo two: snippetandink.com; Photo three: etsy.com; Photo four: lovemydress.net; Photo five: thesparrowandthecrow.com; Photo six: ourlaboroflovebyheidi.com;  Photo seven: josevilla.com; Photo eight: theeverygirl.com;

Pumice grey might not sound like the most appealing color for your wedding day, but you’d be surprised at just how well it can work in a variety of different color schemes. Whether it’s adding that rustic touch, balancing out some bolder shades, or creating a little contrast, neutral tones like pumice can be integral to putting together the perfect color palette. Here are 5 different examples that perfectly demonstrate how you can effectively use pumice grey to take your color scheme to the next level.

Not only does pumice grey add a rustic element to this palette, but it does double-duty by balancing out the bold navy and mustard tones as well.

A rustic, earthy palette like this one is the perfect place to let neutral tones take center stage.

Two shades of grey are used to create contrast with the pinks in this palette, making for an interesting and well-balanced color scheme.

Just a little touch of pumice grey keeps this palette from becoming cloyingly sweet, while still retaining a soft and pretty feel.

Similar to the palette above, adding a neutral shade of grey to the pastel shades in this color scheme gives it a slightly rustic edge while keeping it sweet and feminine.

Photo one: etsy.com; Photo two: intimateweddings.com; Photo three: lovevsdesign.com; Photo four: theardentsparrow.blogspot.ca; Photo five: weddingchicks.com

Winter weather is bound to have anyone dreaming of sunnier days on the patio, surrounded by good friends, food, and drinks. These couples created weddings with that unmistakable at-home comfort combined with unparalleled elegance to make for a beyond incredible day. What made these couples choose backyard bashes? Not only are they a great way to save on venue costs, they naturally add a homey vibe and make the day feel extra personal. So, warm up to these 20 incredible backyard weddings–with lovely details, color palettes and romance, they’re bound to make you swoon.

Charis & Aram 

Pops of bold color, piñata cookies, and lots of laughter make this backyard wedding an easy favorite.

Aaron & Kjersti

This wedding screams good time. Every detail from the dance moves to the cake cutting sword (yes, that’s right), oozes this couples personality and laid-back style.

Kelsey & Ryer

Undeniably this wedding is the definition of backyard glamor. Everything from the bride’s gorgeous blush skirt to the sparkler send-off created a dreamy wedding that’s hard to forget!

Adrianne & Richard

This sweet, southern wedding is what country-chic dreams are made of. From baby’s breath to mason jars, this wedding has as much southern charm as a cold glass of sweet tea.

Katie & Justin

Katie and Justin’s wedding is all things California. Does it get better than saying your vows ocean side? I don’t think so.

Rhys & Melissa

The vintage details in this backyard wedding are to die for! The bride wore a vintage fur wrap, birdcage veil, and sassy fifties inspired dress! A must see!

Cara & Ken

Bride Cara is a DIY queen! From gold paper cranes, to hand sewn guest bags and DIY dyed mason jars (not to mention the handmade attire for the cat and dog), this quirky couple truly put their personal stamp on their day.

Megan & James

The lovely bursts of color in this wedding really make for a beautiful, intimate, summer gathering.

Leilani & Brandon

The couple’s playful personality truly comes to life in this backyard wedding, with their hand in creating many of the day’s details.

Monique & Wilbert

This adorable couple knows how to plan a party on a budget–and not lose any of the pretty details. Hues of blue and lush greens make this wedding a perfect inspiration for those looking to create an amazing day without breaking the bank.

Kari & Duncan

Pixie cuts, wildflowers and a get-away bike? This simple wedding is packing personality in all the right places.

Kristyn & Roger

Set in a backyard forest in Ireland, this wedding is hauntingly beautiful. So many classic elements, it feels straight out of an old romance novel.

Malena & Scott

Laid-back picnic lovers must check this wedding out! Who says you need to have a fancy schmancy sit-down dinner at a wedding? After all–rules were meant to be broken!

Kelly and Dan

A sunlit ceremony surrounded by their closest friends and family members, a fun-filled reception and an after-party by the pool… This Maryland wedding was pretty perfect!

Melissa & Michael

This spunky couple chose to have a coffee themed backyard gathering. Colorful tones of taupe, chocolate, and espresso jazzed up this cozy wedding.

Tara & Matt

This southern wedding on the river is filled with fun lawn-games, backyard dancing, and adorable potted plants as favors.

Sarah & Zac

If you’re looking for shabby chic inspiration, look no further. From baby’s breath and worn candelabras, to burlap and embroidered handkerchiefs–this wedding has it covered.

Kristina & Jeffrey

Globe lights, sparklers, and loads of fresh flowers easily make this outdoor wedding feel magical and romantic. Take a look yourself for some woodsy-chic inspiration.

Heather & Graham

The bride wore emerald green to this backyard patio wedding complete with the couple’s favorite friends and family. Hard not to adore.

Melissa & Adam

After looking and Melissa and Adam’s wedding, it’s easy to argue kittens should be a staple for every wedding. All of the homey details of this wedding are down-home and classy at the same time.

 Photo 1: Aaron and Kjersti’s wedding by Lady and Gent Photography

When there’s a New England lobster bake involved, you know it’s going to be a good time, and Erin and Zachary’s Mystic, CT wedding certainly did not disappoint. With their immediate families in attendance, the couple exchanged their vows aboard the Argia schooner as it sailed the Mystic River, before joining the rest of their guests for a family-style dinner of lobster, chowder, and sea-salted potatoes. They finished the night – as any good night should be finished – with donuts and dancing.

A huge thanks to Daphne & Dean for allowing us to share all fun times and photos with you guys today!

Erin, 32 & Zachary, 33

Mystic, CT

Wedding Date: August 1, 2014

Number of Guests: 68

Wedding Cost: $15,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Argia sailboat

Wedding Reception Location: Mystic Seaport Boat Shed

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

It was important to us that the day reflected our everyday lives. We are laid back and have a small group of friends and family that we regularly connect with. We wanted a personal experience and that’s a lot more difficult to achieve with a larger wedding. Our vision for the day was to have fun, in a beautiful location, eating good food, with the people who understand us the most.

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

Hitting our food and beverage minimum was a challenge at first. To have our reception at the Boatshed, the minimum guest list we needed was approximately 50 people. Fortunately, our top choice for dinner (lobstah!) helped us to reach that point. We also had difficulty in deciding on the ceremony location. We had our hearts set on the Argia (a beautiful, wooden sailboat that provides day cruises and sails along the Mystic River). However, their maximum capacity is 50. We tossed around the idea of having a guest list of only 45 to 50, but decided to have only immediate family and our wedding party join us on the boat for the ceremony. The remaining guests met us as we disembarked the boat as newlyweds and we all headed to the reception.

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

Yes. There were other important people in our lives, such as our family’s boyfriends/girlfriends, young children, extended family, work colleagues, and friends, that we may have invited had we went with a larger wedding. In the end, we have no regrets and we were able to achieve a more intimate connection with each guest, and vice-versa.

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

For the most part, no. We did face some questions here and there, however, this is something we anticipated. We were honest from the beginning, and were willing to explain our vision to a family member or friend who did not understand.

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

We were on a sailboat!!!!! Is there a bigger highlight than that?!? A specific moment was when we read our vows. We both wrote our own vows that included how we met, our history, and some inside jokes. As it was only close friends and family beside us, everyone knew us well enough to find meaning in every word.

What were the highlights of the reception?

Dancing! Our band, Happy & the Moonshine was AMAZING! Their set list was exactly what we wanted, and they definitely set the mood for the entire party; slowing it down with ‘Peace, Peace’ during dinner, and ending with ‘You Get What You Give’ bringing everyone on the dance floor to close the night. Dinner was also equally amazing. We enjoyed a lobster bake dinner, complete with clam chowder and sea-salted red potatoes at a family style table. We felt like we were sitting with each guest, because we were! Our desserts weren’t too shabby either; cupcakes and donuts. ‘Nuff said.

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

Knowing every guest’s name and being able to have a real conversation with them. It sounds silly, but we have heard many stories of weddings, during which the bride & groom don’t know the names of many of their guests. “Oh that’s so-and-so’s significant other” or “Is that your mom’s work friend?”. It felt so refreshing to be able to relax and enjoy every moment, rather than worrying about introducing ourselves. We have said many times that we wish we could live our wedding day again, for the simple fact that it was the most fun we have ever had. That is a testament to the intimacy of the day.

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

Do it. Don’t succumb to the pressure of others. We realize that your family and friends’ opinions matter, but it is your day. The memory of your wedding should be shared with the most important people in your lives. Also, have fun! After all, it is one big party, celebrating you and your best friend.

Vendors:

Ceremony Site: Argia Cruises

Reception Site: Mystic Seaport

Wedding Coordinator: Jenna Landon of Coastal Gourmet

Catering: Coastal Gourmet

Desserts: donuts by Allie’s Donuts

Photography: Daphne & Dean

Band: Happy & the Moonshine

Flowers: Allyson Hart

Bride’s Dress: J. Crew

Bridesmaids: J. Crew

Groom’s attire: J. Crew

Groomsmen’s attire: J. Crew

Hair: Kate Woodworth of Home Wellness Salon & Spa

Makeup: Shelly Dolan of Jennie Fresa Brow & Beauty Bar