Whether a wedding has 400 guests or 40 guests, the behind-the-scenes coordination that needs to happen to ensure that it all goes seamlessly, and that the couple and their guests have an amazing experience is the same for the most part. We were excited to come on board in supporting Ijeoma and Tobi with wedding day management also known as wedding coordination for their micro-wedding of roughly 40 guests.
Unlike most Nigerian weddings where the traditional wedding is typically held before the American wedding, Ijeoma and Tobi were doing the reverse. They were having their American wedding first, and then choosing to have the traditional wedding at a later date; when more of their family and friends would be able to attend.
Wedding Location and Theme
The wedding took place at the Stone House at Stirling Ridge in Warren, NJ. The ceremony was outdoors, and reception was indoors in one of the multiple event halls on the beautiful grounds. The theme for the day (if I was to give it a title) was “Intimate Elegance”. This was reflective in all the different elements of the wedding day – from the beautiful florals and decor, the vintage car, the intimate experience for guests and more.
Here are some highlight photos of the day:
Benefits of an Intimate Wedding
Thanks to the smaller guest list, the couple were able to spend quality time enjoying the company of their guests without feeling rushed.
Based on their preferences, we also designed the wedding day timeline in a way that allowed for all family portraits to be captured pre-ceremony, leaving time for the couple’s portraits post ceremony. While their guests enjoyed a wonderful cocktail hour spread, the gorgeous couple had their portraits taken throughout the grounds. The Stone House has a beautiful, lush green garden with a large chess board that serves as a great photo op for couples, and guests too!
Aside from their portraits, Ijeoma and Tobi were able to get photos with pretty much all their guests. A benefit of having an intimate wedding, which is usually hard to do with a large wedding. If you’re considering whether a micro-wedding is the way to go for you, checkout our post outlining some additional benefits to having an intimate wedding celebration. Convincing the parents might be hard, but if it’s what you and your partner really want, they’ll come around eventually.
WEDDING PLANNING TIP: When shopping or researching for your wedding venue, it’s important to be on the lookout that the venue and its grounds have great spots for photos.
