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15 Ways To Make A 15 Person Wedding Amazing

15 Ways To Make A 15 Person Wedding Amazing


Nikita Thorne Guides for Brides
Nikita Thorne Updated:
8th of March 2023

Although each nation of the UK has different rules on weddings, the guest numbers for weddings are restricted across the country due to Covid-19. In England, couples are now faced with having a 15 person wedding. Micro weddings are incredible, but we know that feeling inspired by a 15 person wedding can be difficult, especially if it wasn't your original plan. So, here are some ideas to help you ensure your wedding day is spectacular, regardless of the restrictions in your area of the country.

Before we get started, micro wedding planning specialist, Events with Akilah gives us her top reasons to have 15 person wedding and why they can be extra special. 

Now for the intimate wedding ideas. While these ideas are focused on the idea of a 15 person wedding, they can be applied to a wedding in all nations of the UK. We hope you'll feel inspired...

Your day, your way

The usual wedding rule book has been thrown out of the window. It’s time to make your own traditions! An intimate wedding doesn’t need to be done in a particular way. You could have an elopement with just the two of you and your witnesses, a sequel wedding with the legal ceremony now and big celebrations later or keep it small and enjoy the intimate day with your 13 guests. 

Remember, this is your day and you can do it your way. You can be as traditional or untraditional as you like.

Couple who have chosen to elope in the city

Make your attending guests feel like the VIPs they are

A 15 person wedding in England includes the couple, their witnesses and their guests. This means you can have up to 13 of your nearest and dearest in attendance. So, of course, they are your VIPs. Think of ways you can make them feel even more special. You can do lots of things to ensure this happens, from giving them each a special gift to thank them for attending to hiring luxurious seating to increase their comfort on the day.

Gift for attending wedding guest

Spoil yourselves

This is the time to upgrade your experience. A smaller wedding can generate less expenses at first, so now is the time to really spoil yourselves. What about a large wedding did you need to forgo because of the cost - could you add that in now? Maybe you really wanted that luxurious wedding cake but couldn't afford it with the number of portions you would need. Could you upgrade that now with a smaller guest list? 

With the reduced numbers, this day is even more about you and your partner; so make sure that you feel like you had the best experience possible by enhancing and customising it even further.

Upgrade your wedding attire

Continuing on the topic of spoiling yourself, why not upgrade your wedding attire? Now, that doesn’t have to mean buying a brand new wedding dress or suit! However, it could mean treating yourself to a lovely piece of jewellery to wear on your big day or going for a more luxurious fabric for your tie or pocket square or even upgrading to those designer heels you’ve been thinking about for months. 

treat yourself to an upgraded wedding attire

Upgrade the food and drink

With less mouths to feed and less glasses to fill at the wedding breakfast, you can consider upgrading your menu and drinks packages. Substitute the cava for champagne, increase the bar tab for your guests or even increase the number of courses you’ll eat! This is the perfect opportunity to go all out and make everyone feel extra special.

Upgrading the wedding menu

Make a large venue feel more intimate with decor and furnishings

A big concern for couples is how they can make their venue feel less sparse with a smaller guest list. Speak to your venue first, as they may have a number of rooms that can be used, which could solve your concerns a little more easily. However, don’t feel daunted by a large space, you can easily solve this with decor and flowers. Here are a few ideas to get you inspired: 

  • Consider changing the way you seat your guests for the ceremony. Why not make the ceremony a spectacle by seating your guests within their households in a circle around you?
  • Soft furnishings can make a space feel more cosy, so consider adding soft touches such as armchairs, cushions, sofas and rugs.
  • Drapes and statement floral features can be used to lower the ceiling and provide large focal points that take up space.
  • Candles, fairy lights and lanterns can provide warm light which makes a space feel more intimate.
  • Consider a way of dividing the space. Can you hire some pretty room dividers to make the space feel more intimate?

Add some personal touches

Those who will attend in person are your nearest and dearest. Why not include some personal touches, such as a big display of family photos. Think about, your grandparents wedding pictures or even a selection of photos of you and your partner along with those attending from over the years.

Personalisation doesn’t just need to be about photographs and family memories. You could also turn to things such as personalised cocktails, individual cakes or even a menu tailored to the personal favourites of each person attending.

Personalised cocktails for wedding guests

Include those who cannot attend via a live stream

Thank goodness for technology and its ability to keep us connected in these crazy times! A live stream is a great way to ensure those who can’t be at your wedding still feel like they are a part of it. You could live stream the ceremony on Facebook or have a big Zoom meeting during the wedding speeches, allowing those who want to say a few words to have their moment on your special day.

Live streaming wedding

Friendly competitions

If you are looking for a way to include guests who can’t be there in person, a friendly competition may be for you! You could ask your guests to dress for the occasion and have a ‘best dressed’ competition judged by those in attendance. Or, if you love baking, why not ask your guests who can’t attend to bake a wedding cake for their household to enjoy on the day? They could send pictures and everyone attending could rate the cake. 

The competition could be anything and is a really great way of getting all your guests involved, regardless of whether they are there in person or virtually.

Involve your guests more throughout the day

With less people attending, you may wish to involve your guests more in your ceremony and reception plans. Why not ask each guest to make a speech or come up with a game to play while you are all at your tables? The involvement can be anything from readings at the ceremony to creating the reception playlist of background music. Whatever the request or role, each guest will feel wonderful for being able to have such an important involvement in making your wedding day special.

Guest making a speech

Get creative with your wedding pictures and wedding video

Don’t feel disheartened or panic about how your wedding photos will look. Speak to your photographer about the creative ways you can have amazing wedding pictures. We’ve seen photos styled to look like full on editorial photoshoots and really clever uses of perspective and depth. You will be surprised by how your photographer can work with the circumstances safely!

With your wedding video, it’s also worth considering hiring a professional videographer to record your wedding video and/or do your live stream. They can bring something extra to your day, whether that be help to involve your guests who aren’t attending to a beautiful memory within a wedding video to treasure in years to come.

Couple having editorial wedding photoshoot

Spend more time with your attending guests

With fewer guests, each of the people attending can have more of your attention. You can really enjoy having proper conversations with everyone there. You could even make the whole day unplugged. Intimate weddings tend to be really private affairs, so you could ask guests to stay off their phones or social media. The only interaction you may need online is for the live stream to those who can’t be there (if you wanted one!).

Small wedding guest list with sparklers

Hire a wedding planner

There are so many benefits to hiring a wedding planner. If you can afford to do so, we highly recommend it. They can manage all the background details for you and help you to ensure your guests and those working at your wedding are safe on the day. That leaves you to enjoy the day without worry!

Some planners are also adapting their services during the current climate by providing consultations to couples who are going ahead with a small wedding; helping them to understand the rules and regulations, inspire ideas and help with any contingency plans that may need to be put in place.

Book a UK Mini moon

Many of us aren’t leaving the country right now and for some that may unfortunately mean postponed honeymoons. Why not book a lovely mini moon or staycation honeymoon to celebrate with your new husband or wife after your intimate wedding? Whether you go straight after the wedding or leave it a couple of weeks before your little getaway, it will be a well earned treat that you can enjoy together and something extra to look forward to.

Wear your 2020 badge with pride

You got married during a pandemic, it’s an incredible moment of happiness in a dark time; so don’t forget to wear that 2020 badge with pride! For example, you could have fun with your pictures and ensure that a few reflect the times. Remember, weddings are the only social event that can take place at the moment with more than 6 people in England, you should be proud that you were able to offer that experience to your closest friends and family!

Couple happy after micro wedding ceremony

We wish you all the best for your wedding day which we know will be spectacular! Don’t forget to check the latest wedding news and the current rules and restrictions in your area of the UK to inform your planning. 

Nikita Thorne Guides for Brides

About the author


Nikita Thorne

Nikita is a wedding planning expert and newlywed having tied the knot in 2023. She is the host of Guides for Brides - The Wedding Podcast and regularly speaks at wedding industry conferences and national wedding shows to inform and inspire couples who are planning their big days. She keeps on top of the latest wedding trends in design and fashion and loves to see the new innovative ideas from wedding professionals across the country. If you need practical planning advice, Nikita has been through the entire wedding planning process, so is your best contact!

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