10 Tips for Making a Big Wedding Feel Intimate

Having a big wedding is sometimes just what you want and other times what you can’t avoid. No matter what your style, everyone wants to have a wedding that feels like everyone they love is around them, and each person is there for a reason. We know it can be hard to greet all your guests, or even just to see everyone at your wedding, so we asked the professionals (the best of the best wedding planners), their tips for making a big wedding feel intimate. Here’s what they said:

(Event design by Antonia Christianson Events, Photo by Lindsay Collette Photography)

1. Games such as corn hole are a great way to bring large groups together. The game involves up to four people and can provide the perfect opportunity for guests to meet others they may not know and have some fun while doing so. — Andrea Leslie Weddings & Events

(Event design by HoneyFitz Events, Photo by Heidi Ryder Photography)

2. Have your dinner together, away from guests, DJs and bridesmaids. Most couple don’t realize how little one on one time they’ll really get together on their wedding day. —Asya Photography

3. But be visible. Your guests are there to see you and to celebrate with you. Position your head table in the middle of your guests or next to the dance floor so that everyone can see you. Even if you do not have the opportunity to speak with all of your guests, by being visible, your guests feel more in touch. — Magnolia Bluebird Design & Events

(Venue by Brooklyn Winery, Photo by Brindamour Photography)

(Event design by Gold Leaf Event Design and Production, Photo by Scott Clark Photo)

4. Creating interesting seating arrangements can make the room feel smaller and more intimate by combining table shapes and sizes. Try incorporating smaller tables – some tables of six or even four, for an intimate dinner experience. — Birch Design Studio

5. Book a photo booth to help break up the reception space and to provide an activity for your guests. — Brindamour Photography

(Event design by Magnolia Bluebird Design & Events, Photo by Eric Kelley)

(Event design by Bridal Bliss, Photo by Jessica Hill Photography)

6. Interactive activities. Look for creative ways to include your guests. Black jack tables are a fun way to get guests to interact with each other during the reception, and makes for a fun and unique celebration! — Essence Photography

(Event design by Fete Nashville, Photo by Kristyn Hogan)

7. Have long tables. We love to set up 2-3 farm tables (or sometimes up to 10) touching each end to end, and serve dinner family-style to create an intimate setting. It’s much more fun and interactive than the traditional round tables. — Fete Nashville

(Event design by Moana Events, Photo by Sea Light Studios)

(Event design by GATHER Events, Rentals by Borrowed Blu, Photo by Brian Tropiano)

8. Serve food family style. Serving a family style meal can also bring guests together as they pass food around their tables and interact with guests throughout the mealtime. — Jove Meyer Events

9. Bring in another bar. When planning cocktail hour for a large wedding, add one more bar than you think you’ll need.  Nothing feels intimate about standing in line!” — Megan Dileen Events

(Event design by Megan Dileen Events, Photo by Ambre Williams Photography)

(Venue by Brooklyn Winery, Photo by Brindamour Photography)

10. Mood Lighting. Lighting plays a role in the mood of a space, you can create a more intimate setting with things such as decorative low-hanging light fixtures which create a sensation of a smaller and warmer environment as opposed to a large and cavernous space.” — Moana Events