In a post-pandemic world, we know the micro wedding will continue to be the perfect option for some couples, and we have Francesca + Ben from Low Hall The Lakes telling us why they’ve fallen in love with this intimate celebration.
Expect plenty of delicious inspiration from Joe Mather Photography and Aaron Baxter Photography, and windswept films courtesy of Jono Symonds.
Francesca + Ben say…
As two people who love nothing more than a big old party, better still the beaut that is The Lovable Old Barn bouncing with a 100 plus guests, we are Micro Wedding and Elopement converts. No, they’re not the same as a 100 plus person wedding, they’re never going to be, there’s no point even trying to dress them as such. But you know what? You don’t need to. They’ve got a whole load of wonderfulness going for them that you honestly don’t get with bigger weddings.
We were sooo incredibly lucky to host a whopping 10 weddings last year. Many of which had originally planned for 100 + guestlists and were shrunk down to 15 and some 2!
Mrs & Mrs Davis / Lara + Paul
In total honestly we were worried that there’d be a sadness on the day because it had to be downsized. We even asked one family member on the morning of the wedding, ‘so are you all excited for the day?’ They replied, ‘well it’s really only half a wedding isn’t it?’ That same family member has since sent the most beautiful card, saying how wonderful the day was and that they really couldn’t have imagined a better, more perfect day for the couple. So yes, some people might not get it at first, but they will.
So what’s the big deal about going small? The biggy. Time.
Time with each other. You’ll actually get to see each other on your wedding day. Novel! This may not be as essential when you’ve spent every second of the last year in and out of lockdown together, but it’s true. Instead of making sure you get to see everyone else, you actually get to see each other.
Time with your most loved ones. You really get to spend one of the biggest days of your lives with those you most love and you actually get time to really enjoy the day with them.
Time for photos. Run away for photos for an hour or even two, when else are you going to wear your wedding get up? Make the most of every detail.
Time for adventure. Go swimming in the morning or take your doggos for a hike, you’ve not got the same strict time plan to stick to, so do the things you really want to do. And invite the whole wedding along to do it!
Mr & Mrs La Porta / Ben + Taylor
Other wins…
Less pressure to please everyone. Not that you should try to but there is always that niggling thought that ‘so and so may not approve or like it’. Sod ‘em they are NFI’d.
Bigger opportunity to go big with decorations, details, flowers, outfits, food, drinks – the lot. And everyone there will 100% appreciate them.
More emotion, I don’t know how or why but emotions are high! Even higher.
The best excuse yet to uninvite that person. You know the person. ENJOY. DELETING. THEM. OFF. YOUR. L.I.S.T.
Other good stuff we’ve loved…
Duck Races, egg hunts, 90’s pop trivia with obscene high notes, pub quizes when the subject is you two, storytime with everyone sharing a memory, video messages from guests that can’t be there, five courses instead of three and all the Champagne!
Ben & Taylor’s Story
“We are so incredibly pleased we went ahead; we talk all the time about how it’s the best decision we have ever made…
… 2020 was unkind to many couples hoping to tie the knot and Ben and I were no exception. From the day I said ‘yes’ until the day we said ‘I do’, we went on quite the journey to find our perfect venue.
We were due to be married at a big venue in Lincolnshire with 160 guests in July 2020 but along with so many couples, our big day got cancelled. Fed up of dealing with the unknown and the desperation to get married, we decided to get married in December (sticking to the rule of 15) and this is where the amazing Francesca and Ben came to our rescue. From the moment we contacted them at Low Hall, they were nothing but fantastic; going above and beyond to make our day as magical as we hoped it would be.
The day before Christmas Eve and just six days before our wedding day, the announcement of the Boxing Day tier change meant that our wedding day hung in the balance again, meaning our families would now no longer be able to attend. We spoke with Francesca and Ben and with last minute changes we decided to go ahead but with just the two of us and our dog. My goodness are we so glad we did it! From the moment we arrived at Low Hall, we were made to feel so special. Ben and I got to spend every second of our perfect wedding day together; something we know that would never have happened if we were schmoozing with guests!
After saying ‘I do’, Francesca and Ben had packed the car with delicious snacks and plenty of fizz and we explored a few beauty spots – having photos taken and being filmed by the amazing and talented Joe and Jono (our wedding photos and video have made our friends rather jealous and we still can’t believe they are ours to treasure forever!) Never in a million years did we think we would have the wedding day that we did but we are so grateful to Francesca and Ben for everything they did for us, Low Hall for being the most breath-taking venue and to the Lake District for its jaw dropping beauty.
It turned out to be the best decision we ever made.”
Based on a weekday wedding in November. Includes 2-night venue hire and accommodation.