Wedding planning can be very overwhelming, we get it. We came up with an easy checklist that took away timelines and just let you know if you wanted this at your wedding, it should be booked now or later.
We hope you find this helpful, let us know! We are always a email away – hello@paar.ca
Whether you chose to have a small wedding or have had the choice made for you due to the times, we promise it will be nothing short of amazing. There are so many reasons why boutique or micro weddings are such a great option. Check out our previous blog on all the reasons we absolutely love small weddings.
However, there are some things that you must consider.
1.It is still a lot of work!
We still have the same amount of things on the to-do list. There are usually the same elements in a wedding regardless of the number of attendees. Less people doesn’t me we (us and you) care any less.
2. We both still need time.
While planners ~could~ put together a boutique wedding in a shorter amount of time, no-one should. It’s stressful, doesn’t leave time for any error and takes the fun out of it.
Paar events like to take time to envision, source and mock things up before committing them to your event. This takes time!
Things like wedding dresses could take months to order, get made and have alterations done. So you are really limiting your choices.
3. Less will equal more.
More time to spend with each individual person and more opportunity for lulls. Usually we have to plan for transition times, serving times, etc. But with less people it will take no time to get from one thing to the next. So timelines need to be on point ensuring a natural flow to the day where your guests are not just sitting there wondering where to go or what might come next.
4. Some things cost what they cost
While you may save some money with less people in attendance, there are some things that just cost what they cost. Our time, DJs, venues, etc will still cost the same- no matter what. It’s important to keep these things in mind when setting your budget.
5. Do not limit yourself!
Just because there are less people, doesn’t mean you don’t need to make it any less amazing. Don’t think “Oh I really like luxurious invites, but it’s only going to 30 people that seems like a waste”. NO. It’s still your day and it represents what you and your partner want. So go for it. (We have a client getting the most luxurious, custom invites done and we can’t explain how excited this makes us)
Your wedding is a celebration and it needs time and consideration no matter what size.
The word ‘Boutique’ can mean many things to many different people. When Savannah and I first came together and started planning our boutique event company, there were four pillars that built the foundation of our business, and this is what boutique means to us.
Exclusivity
One of our strengths is the ability to connect with people and our community to find the most beautiful, exclusive, and unique venue for your event or small wedding. These are not venues that you can find just anywhere, they are private estates that open their property to our team and our clients because of our relationships.
Customizable
Everything we do is custom and planned out from the perspective of the couple and their guests. From our vintage one-of-a-kind finds to our in-house designed installations, everything is created for you, our client. We source local vendors, florists, artists, welders, wood workers, bakers, sommeliers and chefs who deliver farm-to-table cuisine. These are the special touches that take an event from ordinary to extraordinary.
Tailored
Our attention to detail is above all so that everything is taken care of from the first meeting until the end of the event. We are experts in what we do and we take great pride in finding the perfect matches for your perfect day and/or special event from a photographer specializing in outdoor photography, to a vegan chef, and everything in between. We have even created a completely sustainable event for a client where it was extremely important that we didn’t make an impact in our environmental footprint. Anything and everything is possible.
Attention
And last but not least, Attention. Attention to our clients and attention to detail. We want to fully understand our clients vision so that we can take it to the next level. We ask the right questions so that we understand what is important to our clients. Paar strategically sets the amount of events we plan month-to-month so that we, as a team, can give every client, event and vendor the attention needed to create the most perfect event.
Let us know if a boutique event is what you are looking for, you just never know, we may be the perfect team to build you the most perfect wedding of your dreams.
A boutique is basically a micro wedding, but without feeling you had to compromise and is very tailored to the couple. In 2019, we saw a huge trend in micro weddings, then in 2020 (with the pandemic or the outbreak of Covid-19) it got a very negative connotation. People were literally forced to significantly reduce their numbers just to be able to keep their special date, locations and deposits.
The industry states that 50 or less people is a micro wedding.
Boutique weddings usually use vendors that are more local, specialized and sustainable.
While many reported that they loved having a more intimate celebration (and many couples look back and wish they had a smaller number of guests), there’s not a good feeling of being forced to do anything.
In 2021, to ensure nothing gets cancelled or moved we suggest keeping the guestlist to under 25.
We have planned the huge weddings and have to say – boutique weddings are our favourite. They are less stressful, more intimate and give you more options.
With less attendees you don’t have to spend as much on boring things like plate and chair rentals and instead you can focus on decorations, experiences, food, etc. Your guests can enjoy a poolside wine tasting with a live band or fireside gourmet smores.
Other advantages of boutique weddings are:
Let us know in the comments why you love boutique weddings
The events industry, like many others, has been turned upside down this year. Many people turned to us asking – what do we do!? To be honest, we were a bit thrown and just as stunned as everyone else. But we are creative, problem solving, entrepreneurial women who found a solution, to what looks like, an on-going problem.
Regulations, theories, dates and numbers keep changing – how do we create a safe space for people to regain some sort of normalcy while reducing the stress inherent in events? We heard from many brides and corporate planners that felt overwhelmed by the changes at work and at home. Life still goes forward and important events still need to happen. We still need to celebrate, laugh and love.
With a combined 20 years+ of experience in the events space, we have done everything from music festivals to weddings to international corporate retreats. We knew we could not only execute elevated events, but keep them safe and enjoyable at the same time. Events are our *thing*.
Boutique weddings had become a trend before 2020 and we will see this trend continue well into 2022. In a pandemic, we are all being challenged to adapt our ways of thinking and we are excited to see what these new kind of events become. There are many exciting and innovative ideas to present to couples when creating a day they never dreamed possible. It is our dream to make the impossible, possible.
With the holiday season upon us, companies are also looking for new and safe ways to engage employees, especially now that they are limited to interactions in virtual spaces. We like to think outside the box, creating an event venue in the country, but close enough to the city, where small groups can find some fresh air in a safe outdoor space. Paired with some fun yet responsible, bonding activities and some delicious country cooking, it could be a party to remember. Bonfire and s’mores optional!
Paar is committed to safe, sustainable and memorable events and we cannot wait for you to join us on this adventure 1 hour outside of the GTA.