How To Create the Perfect Intimate Wedding

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These days, an intimate “micro” wedding is becoming so much more appealing to many couples. So earlier this year, some wedding vendor friends and I got together to create this styled shoot to represent a beautiful intimate wedding using earthy colors and textures, with a few boho details. We chose a cottage-style wedding venue, with a mix of indoor/outdoor spaces, and that rugged vintage charm that makes for that perfect intimate feel. If you would like to learn more about what a styled shoot is in the wedding industry, and hear the full story behind this photo shoot, click HERE. And, if you’re considering an intimate “micro” wedding, take a look at our TOP 10 MICRO WEDDING IDEAS.

My nickname for this color pallet is “Butterscotch Sunset”, haha. I chose these colors to compliment the natural elements of this gorgeous cottage-style wedding venue, like the rugged wooden features of the open-air tent and the stone detailing of the on-site cottage. We knew that including items with a more natural, organic feel would be key to create this charming and earthy look to accompany the intimate feel of a micro wedding.

Scroll down further for links to every single items that we used to pull together the look of this intimate wedding shoot.

About the Vendors – Intimate Wedding

Photographer: Resounding Whispers Photography
Flowers + Design: Lang Floral Designs
Venue: Ridge Rose in Chickamauga, GA (about 30 minutes outside of Chattanooga, TN)
Bridal Gown: Mrs. Bridal Boutique in Ooltewah (about 15 minutes outside of Chattanooga)
Invitation Design: Lang Floral Designs
Coordination: Lang Floral Designs

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How To Make This Look For Intimate Micro Wedding

1. THE VENUE

The cottage-style wedding venue we chose for this shoot was Ridge Rose in Chickamauga, GA, just a few minutes outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The venue includes a rugged open-air tent called Hickory Hall, and a charming Stone Cottage situated right next to the main event space/tent, typically used as the bridal suite.

So if you’re trying to recreate this look for your big day, look for a local cottage-style venue with an option for an outdoor ceremony, a picturesque natural setting, and vintage details. Also, a venue that includes wooden reception tables and beautiful chairs or other vintage furniture is a huge plus.

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2. THE INVITATIONS

For this shoot, we definitely wanted to bring in some of those warm tones, so we did that with the linen-textured background paper, the camel-colored wax string, and the hand-stamped gold seal. Combining those elements with the pear place card brought that warm earthy style all together. When the guest list is small, you can give each invitation and place setting little personal touches like this that make the day feel so well-thought-out.

• Paper: White Layer / The terracotta background layer came from Hobby Lobby, in the linen scrap booking paper section.
• Wax String
• Wax Stamp
• Gold Wax
• If you have a Glue Gun, THESE wax sticks work great!
  

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3. THE DRESS

We borrowed this stunning dress from Mrs. Bridal Boutique in Ooltewah, Tennessee (about 15 minutes outside of Chattanooga). My favorite features on this dress were the leafy/lace detailing around the top and the illusion back that flows through the sides. When beginning your search for the perfect wedding gown, I would highly recommend starting at a locally owned and operated shop. In my experience, you will get way better service and care at a place like that, than a national chain. Plus, you’re supporting a local business which is SO important right now.

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4. THE FLOWERS

For this type of bouquet, centerpiece and hanging installation, I would recommend a professional florist.  This one features Quicksand Roses, Plum Hellebores, and lots of dried elements for that earthy look. For instance, we used Pampas Grass, Palm Spears, and Dried Bleached Ruscus and White Fern Leaf in the bouquet and centerpieces. If you’re in the Chattanooga area, definitely check us out! Also, here’s a guide to shopping for those dried elements:

• Pampas Grass: click HERE for a lot. | HERE for a little.
• Dried Natural Palm Spears (in bouquet and centerpiece) & Palm Sun Spears (in centerpiece only)
• Bleached Dried Ruscus: click HERE for a lot. | HERE for a little.
• Dried White Fern Leaf
• Chiffon Ribbon for Bouquets

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5. THE RECEPTION TABLESCAPE

• Blush Cheesecloth Table Runner
  Make sure your runner is long enough to go all the way across the table, and ideally puddle a little bit onto the floor.
  
• Gold Candlesticks
  We bought most of the Gold/Brass Candlestick new. However, about 1/3 of our collection includes vintage candlesticks we’ve added from thrift stores and antique shops, which offer a more patina/worn look.
  
• Butterscotch Taper Candles
  These are not the EXACT candles we used because we made the mistake of not ordering “dripless” taper candles. So, if you’re using taper candles for an event, ALWAYS buy dripless candles to avoid having puddles of wax on your tables at the end of the night. I would also recommend testing one out before the event.
  
• Drop cloths (for hand-cut napkins)
  We love using drop cloth material any time we need a natural/rugged fabric. Therefor, we hand cut these napkins, and frayed the edges to create a nice earthy look. A standard white linen napkin would have looked a bit too formal and crisp for this style.
  
• Plates
  We used THESE real white porcelain dinner plates. If your guest count is small, purchasing plates for the wedding won’t break the bank. However, you should also check with your caterer to see if they have real dinnerware available as a rental option.
  
• Bowls & Centerpiece Pots
  
• Pear Place Card
  Pinning the place cards to these fresh Bosc Pears brought in an organic element that is beautiful on any table. In addition, these pears offered more of that butterscotch color we wanted to pepper the entire table. However, if Bosc Pears are not in season and locally available at the time of your wedding, consider other organic items that you could use at each place setting for an earthy feel. For instance, some of our favorite options are pieces of fruit, sprigs of greenery or herbs, or an individual bloom to coordinate with your wedding flowers.

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6. THE VINTAGE FURNITURE

Your entire day will look perfectly styled if you have some beautiful vintage furniture pieces to use for photos. Therefor, consider using these pieces while getting ready, as a sitting area at your reception, or even at your table to define the bride and groom seats. At this venue, they had several beautiful options already on sight in the cottage. However, if your wedding venue doesn’t have things like this available, look for a vintage furniture rental company in your town. Also, if you’re in the Chattanooga area, definitely check out The Copper Quail!

PRO TIP: Don’t go overboard on these vintage pieces. For instance, 3-5 vintage items matched up with your modern furnishings and environment can look perfectly curated. While 8-12 can start to look like a hot mess. There’s a fine line between “eclectic” and “kitschy”. Less is more when it comes to those detailed, one-of-a-kind items.

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A few more photos from this intimate wedding styled shoot…

See more details from this Intimate Wedding Styled Shoot

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Lang Floral Designs is a premier wedding florist in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  We do wedding and event flowers in the surrounding areas of East Tennessee and North Georgia, and we also love providing brides everywhere with useful ideas and information for their wedding day. For a better idea of all we can do at your wedding, click here.  Contact us today if you’re interested in hiring us for your wedding or event.