An elopement on the French Riviera is a dream for many couples. You and the person you love the most, hand in hand, on a secluded hilltop overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. It’s your wedding, your way. And your ceremony photos are guaranteed to look incredible!
But even if you always wanted an intimate wedding, it can be a wrench to not have close family or friends with you on your special day. That’s why some couples opt for a small wedding instead, with just their closest family or friends by their sides to share their special moment. And if your loved ones won’t be with you on the day, there are still so many ways to have them in your heart and mind as you and your partner make your vows to each other.
Whichever way you choose to celebrate your marriage, here are some ideas on how to involve your family and friends, whether they’re present or not.
How to include family or friends in your small wedding
Even though they’re still called weddings, small weddings can feel very different to a traditional wedding. For instance, if you’re choosing to celebrate your small wedding at a scenic hillside spot overlooking the Mediterranean coastline in the South of France, your ceremony won’t necessarily have chairs, an aisle or an altar. That’ll save you from having to make a seating plan!
When you’re freed from needing to respect wedding traditions that don’t fit your vision, you have room to explore and find other ways to celebrate your marriage. And if you’d like to involve your family and friends in your ceremony, here are some ideas on what that could look like:
- Ask one person to read a poem or blessing: Choose one person to perform a reading or to give a short speech during the ceremony that matches your couple’s story. It’s up to you if you want to know what they’ll say in advance or be surprised on the big day!
- Hold the same object: Since your guests are standing (if they’re able to), ask them to form a circle around you, holding a ribbon or a piece of cloth. This object could form the basis of a work of art you display at home as a way to remember your wedding day and the people who were there
- Leave something symbolic at your ceremony location: Take small, decorated stones (or another natural object) with you for guests to hold during the ceremony and to leave at the spot where you got married
- Have a ring bearer: Have one of your guests carry your rings so they’re involved in the most special moment of your ceremony.
How to feel close to loved ones who aren’t present at your elopement
If you’re eloping and plan to have just you, your partner and the celebrant present at your ceremony, there are still many ways to feel close to family and friends who aren’t there on the day. That could begin even before you arrive at the ceremony location by watching video messages or reading letters from your loved ones.
Beyond that, here are some other ways to have your friends and family feel part of your elopement ceremony:
- Include your loved ones in the ceremony speech: Ask your celebrant to mention people who figure in your journey as a couple. If you have a small detail about them or a humorous story that you and your partner love to hear, all the better!
- Have an object to represent them at the ceremony: Carry a small object as a way to remember the person who owns it. This could be a piece of jewellery, a handkerchief, a small photo, a tie or something else entirely. It’s surprising how comforting it feels to have a part of them with you
- Make a toast to them: Have a drink just before or after your ceremony and make a toast to someone who means the world to you. You could even drink their favourite tipple, if that feels right to you. It’s a lovely way to remember them and it also makes for a wonderful moment to photograph and keep as part of your elopement ceremony album.
Whichever kind of ceremony you’re planning, an elopement or a small wedding, it’s a pleasure for me to work with you as your celebrant to make sure everything is tailored to you.
From crafting your ceremony speech to bringing a drink for you and your partner to share in a scenic spot after the ceremony, I’ll make sure that your South of France wedding is beautiful from start to finish.
If you’re ready to start planning your South of France elopement ceremony, get in touch with me.
