Big Day, Small Wedding:

Why Couples Are Falling in Love with Intimate Ceremonies

An Economical Option

Many venues have long since lifted pandemic restrictions, but the trend among couples to opt for small, intimate wedding celebrations may be here to stay.

MAt New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, one of the region’s premier wedding venues, wedding specialists assist roughly 60 couples each year in creating the wedding of their dreams. The Garden’s glass conservatories, formal gardens, and sweeping natural landscapes offer romantic settings that are unmatched in New England. Many Garden weddings feature three traditional elements: a beautiful outdoor ceremony, elegant cocktail hour, and a reception accommodating up to 120 guests. While interest in larger weddings like this remains high, wedding specialists at the Garden—and at venues around the country—find a growing number of couples looking to experience the unique magic of a small-scale, ceremony-only wedding. When it comes to intimate wedding ceremonies, there is a lot to love.

According to a survey conducted by The Knot, the national average cost of a wedding in 2021 was $28,000. In Massachusetts today, this number is even higher. Intimate ceremonies, events with a handful of guests only, present more affordable options. At many venues, reserving space for a gathering of 50 people or fewer costs less than renting the entire venue. “Picture-perfect intimate spaces for wedding ceremonies are around every corner at New England Botanic Garden,” says Meagan Wyson, a member of the Garden’s Private Events team. “Plus, couples renting for intimate ceremonies can still make use of the entire Garden for a stroll or for photos.” Intimate wedding ceremonies at the Garden can also include a small reception after the “I dos.”

Ready When You Are

Many wedding venues require rental agreements a year or more in advance. Because an intimate ceremony typically doesn’t include a cocktail hour or reception and the space required to hold one is small, venues often need less notice to schedule these types of events, especially on weekdays. For couples who aren’t looking for a long engagement, an intimate ceremony often makes their big day happen on a timeline that’s more appealing to them and their loved ones. It’s the perfect option for couples planning elopements.

Better to Avoid Decision-Making Burn Out

Say goodbye to complicated seating charts! This and other decision-making pressures are alleviated when couples choose to hold intimate wedding ceremonies. But even if the guest list is short, any wedding ceremony takes thought and coordination. “At the Garden, we pride ourselves on providing couples with resources and expertise that make planning a wedding of any size as stress-free as possible,” Wyson says. “No matter the scale of the wedding you envision, your special day will be all the more enjoyable when you work with a venue that offers not only beautiful spaces, but also expert support through the planning process and professional day of coordination.”

Focused, Flexible, One-of-a-Kind

Couples exploring intimate wedding ceremonies often value the ability to create highly personal, one-of-a-kind events. This might mean dining at a favorite local restaurant after the ceremony, hosting a party at home, or even planning a reception on a different day altogether. Once considered nontraditional, choices like these allow for fun, unique wedding experiences that meet all of a couple’s hopes and needs. Whether steeped in valued traditions, or creatively curated, intimate wedding ceremonies can be as full of memorable moments as large-scale weddings, often, even more so. “Intimate ceremonies are some of my favorite events because they remind us of the things that are most important—two people celebrating a commitment they’ve made to one another,” says Wyson.

To learn more about what your unique New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill wedding could look like, visit www. nebg.org/weddings. From there, you can read testimonials made by recently married couples, or contact events@ nebg.org to set up a tour with a wedding specialist today.