29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (2024)

  • Wedding Ceremony Ideas

Small-yet-stunning setups for every style.

By

Leigh Crandall

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (1)

Leigh Crandall

Leigh Crandall was the travel editor at Brides. She is an accomplished writer and editor for a vast number of online publications.

Brides's Editorial Guidelines

Updated on July 19, 2021 09:58AM

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (2)

Weddings with a small guest list have a charm all their own. There's something beyond special about being surrounded by your nearest and dearest—especially when marrying in a small yet stunning setting.

Not to mention: With fewer attendees, you’ll likely be able to spend more time with each and every person there and put more of your budget towards excellent food and wine. You might even be able to host your event at a venue that doesn't always allow larger parties! Ready to take our word for it? Below, you'll see how a small ceremony can look and feel especially beautiful as it opens up the possibility of smaller gardens, boutique hotels, and historic sites.

Here are 29 intimate ceremony designs to inspire an intimate union.

What Is a Micro Wedding and Should You Have One?

01of 29

Embrace Romance

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (3)

The gilded details of the Sumatra crown from traditional Indonesian weddings was the inspiration for this stunning arrangement, according to floral designer Myrtle et Olive. Designed around a spiral staircase at The Gunawarman in Jakarta, Indonesia, flowers included local tuberose, gladiolus, and chrysanthemums, accented by 300 feet of jasmine garlands.

02of 29

Raise a Few Flags

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (4)

The Indian Ocean served as the backdrop for this dreamy ceremony setup on a beach in South Cottesloe near Perth, Australia. Low, lush arrangement lined the aisle while flagpoles of varying heights nestled within a larger arrangement of grasses and flowers served as a ceremony marker.

03of 29

Create an Enchanted Garden

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (5)

Floral designer Nature Composed placed flower boxes between fabric-covered chairs from Froufrou Ribbons to create a magical garden setting for the wedding of photographer Laura Gordon.

04of 29

Dress Up an Existing Detail

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (6)

During a wedding at San Diego’s Providence Chateau, an outdoor fireplace was transformed into a stunning ceremony backdrop by floral designer Mulberry & Moss.

05of 29

Make Your Mark

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (7)

A geometric ceremony marker framed the sea during this beach wedding at Solaz Luxury Collection Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico. Arrangements of pampas grass, a rustic aisle runner, and wicker benches blended seamlessly with the coastal setting.As of July 19, 2021, this property is temporarily closed and not accepting new reservations.

06of 29

Let the Landscape Shine

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (8)

Transparent ghost chairs and a simple aisle marker of low greenery kept the focus on the ocean during this ceremony at The Cove, Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Stalks of beach grass and arrangements of greenery and white flowers served as a subtle ceremony backdrop.

07of 29

Bring the Indoors Outside

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (9)

Vintage rugs, an antique desk, and wicker arm chairs were all part of this boho-chic wedding held at the historic Castello di San Sebastiano Po, located in the hills of Piedmonte, Italy. The gardens of the property were created in 1810 and include a fruit orchard, box trees, roses, Lebanese cedars, cypress trees, and Japanese maples.

08of 29

Choose an Historic Backdrop

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (10)

The Italian estate Dimora delle Balze set a romantic scene for this intimate outdoor wedding. White and green arrangements by La Rosa Canina Firenze framed the ancient wooden door while guests were shaded by centuries-old trees.

09of 29

Mix Natural Tones

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (11)

Nude-colored candles, greenery and rich leather chairs formed this handsome ceremony space at Hacienda El Carmen in Jalisco, Mexico. The illustrated archway is a clever way to add architectural interest to blank spaces, too.

10of 29

Brighten Up Benches

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (12)

Simple wood benches take on an enchanted look thanks to vibrant purple flowers and grasses by Greenwood Events. The ceremony space was created in a field of Foster Creek Farm in Montana.

11of 29

Make Flowers (and a View!) the Focus

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (13)

Three modern love seats were transformed into beautiful guest seating for this ceremony at Belmond Hotel Caruso in Italy’s Amalfi Coast. A stunning floral archway created by Siloh Floral Artistry added to the dreamy Mediterranean view.

12of 29

Add an Ivy Backdrop

This couple hosted a wedding for 16 loved ones in the garden of Italian restaurant Palma NYC in the West Village of Manhattan. The brick wall hung with ivy and white flowers created an instantly-beautiful backdrop for their vows.

13of 29

Create a Cozy Outdoor Space

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (15)

The exterior of a barn at Foster Creek Farm in Montana became a stunning outdoor ceremony venue with the addition of a romantic arbor and benches decorated with candles and flowers. A white curtain created a neutral backdrop for the couple to exchange vows, while lights arranged around the barn’s perimeter and a charming holiday tableau visible through the window added to the magical vibes.

42 Barn Wedding Ideas for Any Style of Celebration

14of 29

Add Homey Details

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (16)

This couple opted for an elopement in Italy with just 12 friends, marrying on a hilltop overlooking Florence surrounded by olive groves. Persian rugs acted as the aisle runner, while a wooden archway decorated with eucalyptus, pampas grass, and king proteas created a stunning ceremony backdrop.

15of 29

Make Your Ceremony Spot the Focus

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (17)

For their romantic ceremony at Castello di Vicarello in Tuscany, this couple intentionally kept the aisle flower-free so that the focus would be on their chuppa, decorated with an abundance of white and green blooms.

16of 29

Head Into Nature

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (18)

The mountains of Utah served as a backdrop for this couple’s intimate ceremony, attended by just a few family members. A wooden archway created a focus for the ceremony, while photos of the couple lined the aisle.

17of 29

Frame a Doorway

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (19)

A gorgeous door makes the perfect backdrop for a ceremony—enhance its beauty with a floral border, either whole or asymmetrical, like this stunning arrangement for a wedding that took place at La Badia di Orvieto, a restaurant located within an ancient abbey in Umbria.

18of 29

Take a Winding Path

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (20)

Simple and stunning, florist Bows and Arrows Flowers and designer Joy Proctor created an aisle in the sand for a ceremony set for the beginning of sunset.

48 Beach Wedding Ideas Perfect for Your Big Day

19of 29

Create a Floral Arch

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (21)

Floral designer Flower Addicted Angelica designed this stunning archway for a wedding in Italy’s Amalfi Coast, held in the gardens of Hotel Villa Cimbrone, a 12th century residence in Ravello.

20of 29

Make It Modern

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (22)

The checked exterior of Sacramento’s Crocker Art Museum created instant texture for this ceremony setup with wooden restaurant chairs and green grass accents.

21of 29

Reserve a Rooftop Venue

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (23)

Rooftop venues provide privacy and a bird’s eye view. This wedding was held at Manhattan’s 620 Loft and Garden, perched atop 30 Rock and overlooking 5th Avenue and Rockefeller Center. Fresh sod and flower boxes filled with boxwood hedges added natural elements to the urban setting.

22of 29

Create a Magical Moment

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (24)

A woodland setting already includes a gorgeous natural backdrop, and is easy to make your own with a simple floral arch and chairs like this setup in the forest near Chateau de Varennes in Burgundy, designed by Greenwood Events.

23of 29

Make It All About the View

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (25)

Seating for 50 guests was all that was needed to create a stunning ceremony site at actress Krys Marshall’s destination wedding on the Greek Island of Mykonos. “The view spoke for itself, so we didn’t add much,” says the bride about the ceremony site, Mykonos Castle, which overlooked the harbor.

24of 29

Head Into the Woods

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (26)

Forest venues offer an easy, natural beauty like the Redwood Cathedral at Ventana Big Sur where this couple held their ceremony. The bride and groom exchanged vows beneath the iron chuppah decorated with fall foliage, while guests looked on from redwood benches.

25of 29

Light the Way

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (27)

This unique ceremony took place on a road near Torch Lake, Michigan. Juniper & Lace Events added romance to the forest setting by lining the “aisle” with candles in glass hurricanes and candelabras.

26of 29

Choose an Historic Backdrop

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (28)

The stunning archways of the Ancient Spanish Monastery—the oldest building in the Western Hemisphere, shipped from Europe and rebuilt in Miami—served as a backdrop for this ceremony.

27of 29

Add Color

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (29)

Vibrant orange, red, and pink flowers by Ella + Louie Floral Studio made this ceremony at Skyview Los Alamos standout and coordinated with the rugs used to create an aisle.

28of 29

Mix Seating and Florals

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (30)

This eye-catching aisle, created on the ancient grounds of Castiglion del Bosco estate in Tuscany, mixed chairs and benches for guest seating, as well as floral arrangements of different heights.

29of 29

Line the Aisle with Flowers

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (31)

The garden of Villa Balbiano, which sits on the western shore of Italy’s Lake Como, was the setting of this stunning wedding where the bride walked the grassy aisle, created by lining either side with white flowers.

29 Intimate Ceremony Settings To Inspire Your Own Petite Vows (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 5354

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.