Small Wedding Venues for Intimate Hotel Weddings

The Guide All Couples Should Read

For many couples, wedding planning starts with a simple but important question: how do we want this to feel? Increasingly, the answer is:

Not bigger. 
Not louder.
But more meaningful.

That shift has led to growing interest in small wedding venues and intimate hotel weddings — celebrations that prioritise connection, ease, and a sense of togetherness over scale.

While “small” can mean different things to different couples, what all couples desire is calm, warmth, and a day that unfolds naturally.

This guide features everything you should know when considering a venue for small weddings or civil ceremonies.

Why Micro Weddings Are Resonating With Couples Right Now

Over the last few years, there’s been a noticeable move away from large guest lists and highly choreographed days. Instead, many couples are choosing weddings that feel intentional — gatherings made up of smaller guest numbers, in settings that support connection and presence.

Rather than spreading budgets thinly on bigger weddings, couples are choosing to invest in moments that feel personal and considered, shared with a smaller circle.

That might mean including their dog as a ring bearer at a truly dog-friendly wedding, turning the celebration into a relaxed weekend of family-style meals and countryside walks, or even welcoming unexpected (and much-loved) guests - such as alpacas!

These thoughtful touches aren’t about spectacle — they’re about creating experiences that stay with you beyond the wedding day. With fewer guests, couples can slow the pace, focus on quality over quantity, and enjoy a celebration that feels calm, meaningful, and deeply personal.

Small Intimate Weddings Allow Couples To:

• Spend genuine time with every guest.
• Be more relaxed and less performance-led.
• Focus on experience rather than the logistics of your wedding celebration.

Rather than feeling like a compromise, intimate weddings often feel more special — because every detail has purpose, and every moment has space to breathe.

What Couples Really Mean By “Small and Intimate”

An intimate wedding doesn’t have a strict definition, but it’s often about scale that feels right rather than numbers alone.

For some couples, that might mean:

• 10 – 20 guests for a deeply special day - more akin to an unforgettable dinner party.
• 20 – 40 guests for a relaxed, social atmosphere without formality.

At this size, venues matter. Spaces designed for hundreds can feel empty or overwhelming, while rooms designed for hospitality — dining, gathering, staying — tend to feel just right.

That’s where small hotel wedding venues naturally excel.

Why Hotel Wedding Teams Excel At Intimate Weddings

Hotels have always been about hosting people well. When that hospitality is applied to a wedding — especially a smaller one — the difference is noticeable.

For intimate weddings, hotels offer:

• A single team coordinating the entire day.
• Cosy, welcoming spaces rather than blank canvases.
• Service-led experiences - where everything is in place - as opposed to supplier-heavy setups where you have to source every element (caterers, florists, bar, etc).

Because hotels are used to caring for guests, the focus stays on comfort, flow, and atmosphere. For couples seeking intimate hotel wedding venues, this can mean fewer moving parts and a more relaxed experience from start to finish.

The Biggest Benefits Of A Small Wedding At A Hotel

For couples planning a more intimate celebration, hotels offer something invaluable: simplicity without losing atmosphere. Everything happens in one place, with a team designed to make it feel effortless.

There are so many benefits of a small wedding at a hotel...

Small Weddings And Elopements Flow Naturally

One of the biggest benefits of hosting a small wedding at a hotel is how naturally the day can flow.

There’s no travel between venues. No waiting for rooms to turn around. No sense of rushing from one moment to the next. 

At a venue like the Elephant Hotel, intimate weddings tend to follow a natural, unhurried rhythm — one that prioritises ease, hospitality, and time together.

Planning And Budgeting Is Simplified

Another reason couples are drawn to small wedding venues with accommodation is clarity.

Hotels that regularly host weddings tend to offer:

• Small wedding packages that cater specifically to intimate wedding parties.
• Experienced in-house teams and wedding planners.
• Fewer decisions to manage independently.

Rather than coordinating multiple wedding suppliers across multiple locations, couples can rely on one team who understands the venue, the flow of the day, and how to support intimate celebrations without fuss.

For couples who want confidence and simplicity — not endless choices — this approach can be a relief.

Exclusive Use Venue Hire For 'Wedding Take Overs'

One of the standout benefits of hosting a small wedding at a hotel is the option to book the venue on an exclusive-use basis.

At a small hotel wedding venue like the Elephant Hotel, you can enjoy exclusive use of the hotel, affordably. This means you get full access to the venue’s characterful drawing room, bar, private dining spaces, gardens, and bedrooms. The entire hotel becomes yours for the duration of your romantic wedding! There are no other guests, no shared spaces, and no competing events — just you, your guests, and a team focused entirely on your day. 

For couples planning a small wedding, exclusive use offers the best of both worlds: privacy and flexibility, paired with the reassurance of a professional hotel team coordinating everything behind the scenes. 

What An Intimate Wedding Day Looks Like At The Elephant Hotel

At the Elephant Hotel in Pangbourne, intimate weddings are less about following the schedule of a traditional wedding, and more about settling into the day — something you’ll see reflected time and again in real weddings hosted here.

A warm welcome: Guests arrive to a warm welcome and settle into the hotel, often gathering for a drink before the wedding ceremony begins.

The ceremony: Hosted in a choice of wedding suites - The Herd, The Elephant Room, or the Garden Pavilion - an intimate ceremony flows seamlessly into a relaxed drinks reception, followed by your wedding breakfast.

The evening: There’s no pressure to move on or shift locations. Couples and their evening guests can enjoy cocktails, music, and nightcaps at their own pace.

Overnight: When the celebrations wind down, everyone stays overnight — the 22 bedrooms can sleep up to 50 guests (dog-friendly and family-friendly bedrooms available!— and the next morning brings a final moment together over breakfast, rounding off the experience without a rushed goodbye.

It’s a gentle flow like this that makes planning a wedding at a micro wedding venue feel so appealing. With fewer guests and everything under one roof, the day feels calm, considered, and genuinely enjoyable — especially for couples who value connection over spectacle.

Choosing The Right Small Wedding Venue

When searching for perfect small or intimate wedding venues, couples often benefit from looking beyond guest numbers and asking a few key questions to understand the complete wedding experience:

• Will the space still feel special and atmospheric at a smaller scale?
• Is there accommodation on-site?
• Can the ceremony, drinks, dining, and evening flow in one place?
• Does the team have experience hosting weddings of a smaller nature?
• Is exclusive use available?
• Can the venue accommodate our special requests?
• Can we personalise the venue with personal touches?
• Is our wedding date available?
• Is there a dedicated wedding coordinator?
• Can wedding menus be designed specifically for your celebration?

For many couples, the perfect wedding venue isn’t about how many people it can hold — it’s about how it makes those people feel.

Planning A Smaller Wedding That Feels Just Right

Small weddings aren’t about doing less — they’re about doing what matters, well.

For couples who value ease, connection, and thoughtful hospitality, hotel wedding venues can offer an experience that feels seamless, grounded, and genuinely enjoyable for everyone involved.

Intimate Wedding Packages For Micro And Elopement Weddings

Looking for a wedding venue? Download our brochure or enquire today to explore wedding venue hire at the Elephant Hotel — a great venue designed to care for you and your guests from start to finish.