Some of our favorite weddings are the small ones. Fewer guests, more time and room for the couple to actually enjoy their own day. Trung and Korey's wedding at Hidden Lake Resort was exactly that: intimate, relaxed and a lot of fun.
A small wedding at a private retreat can feel more personal than any ballroom. Make sure the property allows events, have an indoor plan you actually like in case of rain, build real time for photos into the day and fill it with details that are unmistakably yours.
A real weddingA small guest list with a big personality
Hidden Lake Resort is a private lakeside retreat in Pennsylvania, not far from Binghamton. It is so tucked away that you only get directions after you book. Trung and Korey gathered a small group of the people closest to them for a bohemian wedding, planned with a lot of love by the groom's sister.
Then it rained. The ceremony moved inside to the main room, with the lake still showing through the tall windows behind them. Nobody missed the outdoor version.
The details were all them: a macramé backdrop, a long family-style table with soft florals and peach napkins, and live music from the Dave Richman Trio in front of the stone fireplace. Dinner was catered by Olive Garden, proof that the food you actually love beats the food you think you are supposed to serve.
And then there were the sneakers. Trung and Korey both wore matching white sneakers, and their wedding cake was, naturally, a sneaker.
Behind the cameraA couple who made photography part of the plan
Trung and Korey are both amateur artists, and it showed. They didn't treat photos as something to get through between the ceremony and dinner. They made real time for them, said yes to every idea and brought a few of their own. The spiral staircase, the decks, the dock on the lake: we used the whole property.
It helped that we already knew Hidden Lake Resort well. We had worked with the resort on its photos and website before this wedding, so we knew the best spots inside and out, rain or shine.
Planning tipsHow to plan a small wedding at a private retreat
1. Make sure the property allows weddings
Many vacation rentals don't allow events, and the ones that do often limit guest counts, hours and noise. Ask before you fall in love with a place, and get the answers in writing.
2. Have an indoor plan you actually like
Trung and Korey's rain plan worked because the room was beautiful on its own. Walk through your backup space when you tour, picture the ceremony there and decide early who will make the call on the day.
3. Put photos on the schedule
A small guest list is a gift here. You can step away for twenty or thirty minutes of portraits without anyone feeling abandoned. Tell your photographer what kind of photos you love and give them the time to make them.
4. Let your people help
The groom's sister planned this wedding, and it showed in every detail. At a small wedding, family and friends often want to pitch in. Give one person you trust the job of keeping things moving so the two of you can enjoy it.
5. Make it unmistakably yours
Matching sneakers. A sneaker cake. Comfort food everyone loves. The details guests remember are the ones that could only belong to you.
6. Right-size the music
A big DJ setup can overwhelm a small room. A live trio or acoustic duo fills the space without taking it over, and it looks great in photos and on film.
FAQCommon questions
Where is Hidden Lake Resort?
Hidden Lake Resort is a private lakeside retreat in Pennsylvania, not far from Binghamton, New York. The resort shares directions after you book.
Can you have a wedding at a vacation rental or Airbnb?
Sometimes. Many rentals don't allow events, so ask the owner first and get the guest count, hours and any fees in writing before you book.
What if it rains on our small wedding day?
Choose a property with an indoor space you would be happy to get married in, and decide ahead of time who makes the call. Trung and Korey moved their ceremony inside, and it was beautiful.
Do you photograph small and intimate weddings?
Yes, and we love them. A smaller guest list usually means more time for portraits and more room for the moments that make your day yours.
Planning a small wedding?
Tell us your date and where you are thinking of celebrating. You can also browse our venue guides and real weddings.
Check Your DateSee Real Weddings