10 Steps to Planning an Intimate Wedding
Written by Melissa Hargreaves
Planning an intimate wedding is a unique and meaningful experience that allows couples to focus on the essence of their love and the cherished presence of close family and friends. For those dreaming of a charming celebration in the heart of the Cotswolds, look no further than Pauntley Court, the perfect setting to create unforgettable memories. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you plan for your intimate wedding.
1. Set Your Guest List
The guest list is crucial for an intimate wedding. At Pauntley Court, up to 32 people can join the celebration, with 24 guests accommodated on-site in luxurious bedrooms for two nights. Begin by identifying your must-have attendees, including immediate family and close friends. Keeping the guest list tight fosters a warm and personal atmosphere, ensuring everyone feels included and valued.
2. Choose a Meaningful Venue
The venue sets the tone for your day, and choosing a place that aligns with your vision is essential. Pauntley Court offers a blend of historic charm and modern luxury. Every corner is picture-perfect, from the magical Hornbeam Arches to the elegant Ballroom and tranquil Walled Garden. Consider whether you prefer an outdoor ceremony in one of the many magical garden rooms or a cosy indoor service in the Panelled Room or the elegant Ballroom.
For couples seeking a spiritual touch, the nearby St. John the Evangelist Church is just a stroll away. It offers a picturesque setting for a church wedding.
3. Personalise Your Ceremony
One benefit of a smaller wedding is the ability to add personal touches to the ceremony. Whether you opt for a civil, celebrant-led, or religious service, take time to reflect on what resonates with you as a couple. Incorporate readings, music, or symbolic rituals that reflect your journey and values.
When you come for your tour of the venue with Melissa, she can tell you all about the different spaces for your ceremony and how you can wow your guests as there are multiple places to choose from at Pauntley, both in the spectacular gardens and inside the beautiful house.
4. Plan a Delightful Reception
Your reception is where the magic continues, with incredible outdoor dining options or the fantastic Ballroom if the weather is not so clement.
At Pauntley Court, you can choose from four exceptional wedding caterers to craft a bespoke menu that delights your guests. Consider hosting drinks and canapés in the gardens using our wonderful alfresco bar and parasol or under the stretch tent before indulging in a wedding breakfast under the hornbeam arches or in the stunning Ballroom.
Keep the focus on quality over quantity by selecting a menu featuring fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. A smaller guest list allows for creative dishes and curated drink pairings that will leave a lasting impression.
5. Choose a Stunning Décor Scheme
Intimate weddings are an opportunity to let your creativity shine. The natural beauty at Pauntley Court provides a breathtaking backdrop, but you can enhance the ambience with thoughtful décor. Fresh flowers, candles, and personal mementoes can transform spaces into romantic havens. Consider incorporating the venue’s history and surroundings into your theme, such as garden-inspired centrepieces or locally sourced quinces as part of the décor.
Melissa and your wedding coordinator can help you with your ideas and provide supplier suggestions to help bring your vision to life.
6. Capture the Moment
Hiring a professional photographer is essential for preserving the memories of your day. At Pauntley Court, our expansive grounds offer endless opportunities for stunning photos, from the serene lake and boathouse to the heavenly gardens with their incredible views across the Gloucestershire countryside. Work with your photographer to plan key moments and locations, ensuring you capture the beauty and intimacy of the celebration.
7. Make It a Weekend Affair
Extend the joy by turning your wedding into a weekend celebration. When you stay at Pauntley Court, couples can arrive from Thursday afternoon with guests arriving on Friday where they can settle into their luxurious accommodation and enjoy pre-wedding activities like croquet, pétanque, or a relaxing massage in the Shepherd’s Hut. The weekend experience allows for deeper connections and creates a series of cherished memories beyond the wedding day itself.
After the wedding day, host a relaxed Sunday brunch under the stretch tent or amidst the quince trees, reminiscing about the wedding day’s highlights with your loved ones. Have Rachel, our amazing housekeeper, cook this for you and ensure that everyone relaxes and enjoys a lazy Sunday, laughing and chatting about the Wedding Day.
If you would like to hear more about our intimate wedding packages, please contact us at 01531 552001 or get in touch with Melissa via email. Alternatively, you can book a viewing via Melissa’s Calendly calendar here.
8. Curate an Intimate Atmosphere
With fewer guests, every interaction becomes more meaningful. Emphasise the personal touch by including handwritten notes for each guest, offering welcome hampers with local treats, or customising the menu with their dietary preferences. Our team, including the dedicated wedding coordinator, ensures that every detail is thoughtfully planned, creating an effortlessly warm and inviting atmosphere.
9. Prepare for the Unexpected
Even small weddings can face unforeseen challenges. Working with a venue like Pauntley Court means you’ll have expert support from a wedding coordinator. They’ll help you navigate planning details, coordinate with suppliers, and ensure your day runs smoothly from start to finish.
10. Enjoy Every Moment
Finally, remember that an intimate wedding is about celebrating your love in a way that feels authentic to you. Take time to savour the moments, whether it’s wandering hand-in-hand through the gardens or dancing the night away in the Ballroom. The smaller scale allows you to be present and truly enjoy the company of your closest loved ones.
An intimate wedding at Pauntley Court is more than a celebration—it’s an experience that brings people together in a meaningful way. With careful planning, thoughtful details, and the venue’s enchanting setting, you’ll create memories to treasure for a lifetime.
Image by Red Maple Photography
Image by Patrick Partridge Photography
Image by Luke Cummins Photography
Image by Katrina Bartlam
Image by Red Maple Photography
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Having recently visited Pauntley for our first wedding anniversary, I was reminded just how magical a place it is.
James and I celebrated our marriage with our closest family and friends over three days in August 2024. Spending both the night before and day after our wedding with our nearest and dearest only enhanced our celebrations; Pauntley’s beautiful bedrooms and cosy communal areas greatly facilitate being able to have all of those you love in one place for an extended period. Waking up in the bridal suite greatly reduced the stress on the wedding morning; the Elinor Fettiplace was the perfect setting for bridal preparations.
We knew it was the venue for us when we walked into the ballroom on our first viewing and I burst out crying (happy tears); those tears were present again when I walked down the aisle (ironically outside) the following Summer.
Everything about Pauntley makes it the picture perfect venue - from the indoor furnishings to the beautiful gardens outside. A special touch are the beautiful flowers that Melissa's mother (the flower fairy!) collects from the gardens and arranges in the communal areas and bedrooms; she even treated our guests to a tour of the grounds on the Sunday.
We took full use of all of the spaces - firstly by hosting a grazing table, English sparkling wine and real ale welcome supper in The Flower Room on the Friday, complete with “s’mores” for our flower girls and page boys on Pauntley’s fire pit. On the day itself we had welcome drinks under the stretch tent; said “I do” alongside a string quartet amongst the quince trees; enjoyed canapés, fizz and acoustic music in the sunken garden; had our cake cutting, wedding breakfast and speeches under the hornbeam arches (complete with Melissa’s chandeliers!); took photos down by the boathouse; poured our champagne tower in front of the beautiful staircase and danced the night away with our band in the ballroom before collapsing in front of the fire in the main sitting room after our “light stick” exit in the courtyard. The morning after the night before was spent preparing for our send off BBQ on the terrace.
The stunning setting is only complimented by Pauntley’s true highlight: its team. Melissa could not have been more friendly and helpful from the first time we met her until our wedding weekend itself (and beyond!). The list of recommended suppliers provided was especially helpful given I had no knowledge of local hairdressers, make-up artists, florists, caterers, etc; all of the vendors that we chose were wonderful. Our wedding coordinator, Mel, put this type A bride to shame with her efficiency and organisational skills, all delivered with a smile and a wealth of industry knowledge. A special mention to Pauntley’s head housekeeper Rachel who took excellent care of us and our guests throughout with delicious breakfasts and a yummy BBQ on the Sunday. The whole team are warm, welcoming and ensure that you never feel like just another couple; they are all truly invested in making your wedding day the best it possibly can be.
As we are London based, we chose to stay on the Thursday and Sunday nights and I would highly recommend that option to future couples. Being there the night before - just the two of us - allowed us to sort various Waitrose / butcher / crockery deliveries and get ready before our friends and family descended for our welcome supper the following day. Equally, we enjoyed strolling around the gardens as husband and wife on the Sunday after everyone had left; an opportunity to reminisce on the best weekend of our lives in truly beautiful surroundings. We struggled to leave on the Monday morning!
We couldn’t recommend Pauntley enough and can’t wait to visit again on our second anniversary next year.
Thank you Melissa, Mel and Rachel for everything.
Image by Siobhan Beales Photography