How To Keep Your Wedding Small and Meaningful

When you think of a wedding, you think of a BIG day. But, does that mean the event itself has to be big? Sometimes, the best memories are made in intimate settings, with the people that matter most. 

This was the case for newlyweds Rebecca and Kylie Bragdon, who opted for a beautiful 35-person ceremony and reception this past Winter in Maine. With kids already in the mix, the couple wanted a celebration that reflected the closeness of their family.

And in our humble opinion, they struck the perfect balance of including those important details (like their After The Tone phone guestbook) and memorable moments, while keeping the guest list short and sweet. 

So, if you’re asking yourself: “What should I include in my small wedding?” We have just the couple to ask! Here are some ways to make your intimate wedding a night to remember.

Consider the venue

One of the coolest things to Kylie and Rebecca about having a smaller wedding was the wide array of venue options. Without the pressure of capacity, the venue world was their oyster! They chose a place that truly went above and beyond in making their day extra special and personal: The Lucerne Inn in Maine.

“The inn was straight out of a Hallmark movie!” Rebecca said. “[The staff’s] dedication truly made our wedding unforgettable.”

Capture audio memories with a phone guest book

It was hard for Rebecca and Kylie to put into words the deep love that was felt at a wedding with only a small number of people. To them, the love was palpable from the minute you walked in and stayed with you long after the night was through. 

Their After The Tone audio guestbook (the little vintage rotary phone that collects voicemails) helped them capture that feeling through the voices of their loved ones, and now, they can relive those memories years in the future with their family. 

“Our favorite voicemail is from our kids. It brought us both to tears,” Rebecca said. “[The messages] bring the essence of our wedding day to life in a way that photos or written messages cannot.”

Listen to one of their voicemails on their Instagram here: <LINK>

Personalize your ceremony and vows

Speaking in front of a large crowd can be intimidating, especially when the topic is something as personal as wedding vows. A small wedding gave the couple the opportunity to really go deep with their ceremony, since after all, everyone there was a ride-or-die and biggest fan of both Kylie and Rebecca. 

For these two lovebirds, having their best friend officiate allowed them to craft a ceremony that was the perfect representation of them as a couple and of their love. 

“We worked on crafting it for months,” Rebecca said. “And our vows? Oh goodness, they were personal, full of love, and everyone in the room could feel it.”

It's safe to say that this couple has cracked the code for creating the perfect small wedding. Congrats to the newlyweds! We can feel the love all the way from California. 🫶 

For celebrations big and small, book After The Tone to collect forever memories.