The wedding industry was rocked to its core when the Government announced that no weddings could take place during the lockdown period in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Thousands of brides and grooms across the UK faced the disappointment of announcing the cancellation of their dream wedding.  Happily, the relaxing of the rules now means that sit-down wedding receptions of up to 30 people have been able to go ahead in England since mid-August.

Small but beautifully styled 

If your wedding has been affected and you’ve had the difficult task of reducing numbers – or if you simply want the intimacy that a small wedding brings – we have some innovative ways to ensure that you keep 100% of the elegant styling, even if you can only invite 50% of the guests:

Smaller venues can create a big impact

A small but select guest list opens up a world of possibilities for your wedding venue. Spaces such as cosy restaurants, galleries or wine bars are happy to accommodate smaller numbers and will be cheaper than hiring a bigger venue, leaving more budget to make the space feel extra-special.

If your venue is already booked, or you have your heart set on a larger space, then there are so many ways to style the room to suit fewer guests.  We’ve helped happy couples get creative with the addition of soft seating and lounge areas, or food stations and quirky bars to fill the space. Oversized tables also work well in a larger venue, giving your guest ample elbow room and provide the perfect foundation for a statement table centrepiece to wow your wedding guests.

Love letters…

Light-up letters remain a popular choice at wedding receptions, and for a smaller wedding, there are mini-versions as well as the giant floor-standing ones.  For a rustic theme choose wooden lettering, or for a contemporary feel, we love acrylic lettering in the happy couple’s initials.

Inspirational balloon installations

Balloons can bring a simple space to life. They are a cost-effective and charming way to inject fun into your special day. From pearlescent balloon arches to frame the top table, to miniature ones incorporated into centrepieces, the humble balloon can add a sprinkling of magic to the styling of your chosen venue.

Say it with flowers

A wall of flowers creates the perfect indoor backdrop for stunning wedding photos.  As Autumn draws in, we can’t guarantee blue skies and sunshine for your big day, but even on drizzly days, a brilliant wall of blooms and foliage will make a striking impression.

If your wedding ceremony and reception are under the same roof, the floral wall can be used as a backdrop for the ceremony and, later on, for guests to use as a setting for a fun photo opportunity with some quirky hats, glasses, and other props.

To make a memorable entrance, why not take a leaf from the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and create a floral archway at the door of your venue.

Dress up your venue with drapes

Drapes and chair covers add effortless elegance to any venue and are a great way to ensure the walls and seating match your colour scheme and style.

Full wall drapes coupled with ceiling drapes and matching chair covers can transform even the drabbest of spaces into a wedding wonderland.  This means venues such as village halls or community centres are not off-limits – as their functional appearance can be completely transformed to add glamour to your wedding venue.

The only limit is your imagination

Remember, the best things come in small packages and an intimate wedding is no exception. Larger weddings mean more expense and a less personal vibe.  With fewer guests, you’ll be able to spend more time with each of them in a relaxed and intimate space that has been styled to suit your taste.

Penny Events have helped happy couples from Birmingham to London explore their options and create opulent room styling with eye-catching décor, candelabras, and chandeliers to bring luxury and class to their happy occasion.

Whether you have a firm idea of how you want your wedding décor to look, or you need some inspiration from the experts, we can make it happen.

Speak to our founder, Tee Divas-Waters on 07533 770643 or email the team at hello@penny-events.co.uk to start planning your dream day.