“We’re having a small wedding so we need less flowers right?”

“Wrong.”

With uncertainty amongst wedding guest numbers and some venues now being booked out until 2023 many couples are deciding to go ahead with their weddings and reducing their guest numbers.

A belief many couples ultimately have is that having less guests equals needing less flowers. And effectively they are correct. If you planned to have 100 guests sat at 10 tables you no longer need 10 table centerpieces for just 30 guests.

However, lots of you are still deciding to hold your intimate weddings in your original venues and these are spaces that previously catered for 100+ guests. One thing you need to take into account is that your big venue that was going to look full now has a lot of empty space.

Psychologically, No one wants to turn up to a celebration in a large venue with only a few guests milling around. As well as the space feeling huge, venues can echo with less guests and furniture in it and people feel the need to spread out and stand apart when what you really want is for the opposite to happen. A big empty space hardly feels like the right environment for a celebration does it?

This is where designed properly, your flowers can save the day.

With some effective and savvy floral design choices it’s easy to change a big empty space into an intimate and cosy experience for your guests.

Rather than reducing your budget here are some ideas on how make some simple swaps as well as making some epic focal points.

1- Change your centerpieces to a Floral Canopies and beautiful tablescapes.

My absolute favourite for an intimate wedding is a floral canopy for your guests to dine under. This effectively makes your line of sight smaller creating an intimate vibe. With flowers directly overhead You're moving your line of sight down which gives the illusion of a smaller space. Floral canopies allow you to bring everything in close so your guests feel like they are in a cozy space instead of an empty hollow room. Tied in with a stunning tablescape that uses scent to awaken the senses you can create a luxury and culinary experience for your guests making them feel as if they are dining in a magical setting.

Alternatively If the venue allows it, bring in elements that you can suspend from the ceiling, whether it be floral pieces, chandeliers, candles, or cafe lights. Lowering the ceiling can also help create a more intimate setting.

2-   Use trees to break up the space.

This option is perfect for a natural vibe or if you have a minimal scheme. Trees can be hired from various companies and are a great way to divide a space in a natural way and create a cozier environment. Large trees placed around the perimeter of the room can make a big room feel more intimate. They help enclose the space visually and also provide a living element which can change the feeling of an environment.

3- Tall table centerpieces will make the ceiling feel lower.

If you are going to make any changes to your floral scheme then at the very least swap low table centerpieces for tall ones. Tall centerpieces will make the ceilings seem lower and break up the space a bit, creating a more intimate vibe. Designed correctly and with the right type of vessels you also won’t block anyone’s view.

4-   Partitions can help zone a space

Using props alongside flowers such as metal grid walls, or placing large arrangements on pedestals clustered together can act as partitions in rooms and help zone spaces. This can make a space feel smaller. Effectively zoning areas for eating dancing, drinking are also useful for making you use the space more effectively throughout the day and evening. Think about having ceremony arrangements that can also be used as partitions for your reception. Alternatively use entrance flowers indoors as partitions rather than leaving them outside.

Use colour to achieve coziness

5- We all know that white makes a space seem airy and larger, while darker colours and rich hues will make the space seem smaller, Think about changing your floral scheme to richer tones to help with this. Additionally opting for large patterned linens in bold contrasting colors, can also help create a fuller look in your space.

6- Think about your lighting

Candlelight can be used to create a cozy intimate experience. Speak to your florist about candle and vessel hire as most florists are happy to source this for you. Consider also dimming the the lights in areas you are not using to create a more enclosed space.

You might be sat there thinking well this sounds great but its all out of my budget, right?

Wrong.

All the table centerpieces and little bits of greenery you’ve used to decorate the small corners of your venue soon add up.

Once you look at swapping all those little bits you previously ordered for a bigger focal point you might actually find it works out at a similar cost.

Those lost tables could mean that you could have that floral archway you wanted but couldn’t afford. If you can then work with your florist so that archway then becomes a focal point for your cake table later on in the day, then you have definitely got value for money.

If you are one of my 2021 couples reading this who now plan to have a reduced wedding get in touch to see how we can rework your design for you to still create a memorable experience for you and your guests.

*** ALL IMAGES HAVE BEEN BORROWED FROM PINTEREST AND ARE NOT THE AUTHORS OWN.***