Mallory & Ryan’s micro wedding was at a gorgeous villa estate in Sonoma, CA. The venue was nestled deep in the hills of wine country and offered the most stunning views of the wine country below. Like many other couples, Mallory and Ryan had to cancel their original wedding and opted for a small immediate family only celebration. These two approached everything with such positivity though, and the day felt so full of love and joy! I helped them create a custom timeline and shared tips and tricks they normally would have received from a wedding planner! The whole day was absolutely magic, beginning with their ceremony! Here are two overarching general tips!!
Two quick tips!
- Small weddings allow you to create a truly custom timeline. If you’re planning to have an outdoor ceremony, I recommend scheduling around the sunset. Plan to have the ceremony 2-3 hours before the sunset so the light is softer but still leaves you plenty of time to enjoy happy hour and dinner with some sunlight.
- Hire a photographer and caterer!! You’ll want memories that last a lifetime, plus you’ll want your friends and family to be in the moment and not worried about taking photos! This is the same for food- I highly recommend hiring a caterer. Not only will they whip up an incredible meal, but they’ll also handle the clean up.
Wedding beneath the Oak Tree
Mallory and Ryan found a beautiful oak tree amongst the golden grass to have their ceremony just a few miles from the house. Mallory and her dad arrived in style- in his vintage red mustang! The look on Ryan’s face says it all. The entire day was so happy and raw and emotional. Her dad was also the officiant which made the entire ceremony extra personal.
After the ceremony, the intimate wedding reception was held at the house. Dinner was phenomenal and the toasts were so sweet and thoughtful. I’m a sucker for speeches and definitely had to hold back some tears myself. You could feel the love and support this family has for each other.
Their wedding was so dreamy, and I’m so excited for these two newlyweds!! My biggest piece of advice for anyone planning an elopement or micro wedding is to personalize as much as possible and include those who will bring the positive energy you want to have on your day. This goes for your guests as well as your vendors! Your photographer is by your side all day, so make sure it’s someone who you love as a person. Overall, a smaller intimate wedding is the opportunity to include details you may not have been able to for a large group! It’s such a beautiful way to celebrate your love with your closest loved ones!
Planning an intimate weddings?
Photos taken by Sonoma Wedding Photographer, Rachel Christopherson
