How To Plan A No Guest Wedding
Detach From The “Traditional”
A no guest wedding might just sound weird to some people.
But what if it’s just the only idea for others?
A wedding without guests is reduced to the most important things for the couple. Without big theatres and without family drama. (Yes, everyone has an “Aunt Karen” who just knows everything better and is NOT happy with anything… we know!)
At the end of the story, you just want to have a great day, don’t you? So, a wedding without guests may be the right thing for you – that way you can just do what YOU feel like doing and not what “Aunt Karen” wants and expects from you.
In questo modo potete semplicemente fare quello che vi va genuinamente di fare e non quello che “zia Antonella” vuole e si aspetta.
More and more couples arrive at this decision after asking themselves very practical questions:
Is it possible to get married with no guests? Do we need a ceremony? Do we need witnesses? Can you get married without guests in Italy?
As an elopement and intimate wedding photographer in the Dolomites, I support couples who do not see themselves in a traditional wedding and who consciously choose the adventure of eloping and getting married without guests and above all without compromise.
Don’t lose The Focus of why you want A No Guest Wedding
Because it is a wedding with no guests, it does not mean that it is shabby or less important!
You will feel better to be always focused on the reason for your choice.
Are you afraid that your wedding might be less exciting than you anticipated? It’s up to you not to get lost in things you don’t want and instead focus on the excitement and wedding experience you want to have!
Is it possible to have a no guest wedding in Italy?
Yes, in Italy it is absolutely possible to have a no guest wedding, especially with a civil ceremony.
It is not mandatory to have friends or family present, nor to organize a traditional ceremony or a celebration.
The only legal requirement concerns the witnesses, which are mandatory by law for a civil marriage (two, one for each spouse).
This means that you can:
- get married at the town hall in a very simple way
- have only the two of you and the witnesses present
- not organize any party or reception
For many couples, this simplicity is exactly the strongest point of choosing a wedding without guests.
Town hall wedding with no ceremony: what to know
A civil wedding at the town hall is often much simpler than people imagine.
In many cases it lasts just a few minutes and takes place in a municipal office, without music, readings, or specific rituals.
By talking with the staff, it is always possible to add a romantic touch to the civil ceremony, with a short reading or some music.
For some couples, this essential moment is perfect exactly as it is.
For others, the town hall signing is only one part of the day, which is then completed with a symbolic moment or a special experience.
What if we don’t want friends or family as witnesses?
No problem at all! Anyone can be a witness for your no guest wedding.
All that is required to be a witness is being of legal age and having legal capacity.
Very simply, you can ask town hall employees to be your witnesses. Some of my past clients asked me or other vendors, or even staff from the hotel where they were staying, to act as witnesses for a wedding with no guests.
Where to get married alone with no guests
How to find beautiful places to get married in the Dolomites
Unlike a traditional wedding, an elopement wedding with no guests allows you to get married where and how you want!
As a sidekick photographer, I have some advice for you on where to get married alone without guests!
First of all, you need to understand what you like:
- Do you like mountains?
- Would you rather get married in the woods, near the waterfalls?
- Do you prefer a long hike or a relaxing walk?
- Do you want an adventurous type of wedding or do you prefer to roll around in a meadow having a picnic?
The ideas are many!
Social media and online searches can provide a lot of inspiration, but unfortunately the most Instagrammable locations are also the most crowded.
I’m talking about Lago di Braies (which has an average of 5,000 (!!) visitors every day, with a record of 17,000 visitors in a single day in 2020), Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Alpe di Siusi, Seceda, or Lake Sorapis.
It’s also important to find places that are not private property, or to have permission to access them.
Take all the inspiration you want from the internet, but get advice from locals (like me 😉) as a photographer, or from a local wedding planner.
The most amazing locations for a no guest wedding in Italy
- Val Venosta
- Merano and surroundings
- Val Gardena
- Val Badia
- Val di Fassa
- Val Pusteria
- Valle Aurina
👉🏻 Examples of the best locations to elope in the Dolomites
I will be happy to help you choose between all the possibilities, also helping you with the various seasons! For a wedding without guests that’s gonna thrill you!
If you’re imagining an intimate and simple mountain no guest wedding and don’t know where to start, get in touch. Often a single conversation is enough to bring clarity.
Activities for a No Guest Wedding
A wedding without guests is a wedding without rules!
And since there are no guests to take care of, you can have a wedding without having a wedding! You can easily do whatever you want. From alpaca trekking to paragliding in the Mountains. There are no limits.
Probably the most important thing will be to choose the time and location of the wedding ceremony, and then organize your activities around it. Let’s go straight to the next point
👉🏻 I leave you here the link to the article on my blog, which talks about ideas for celebrating an intimate and simple wedding.
Timelines for A No Guest Wedding – Examples
Every wedding is unique, and that’s exactly the beauty of elopements. From a full snowboarding day in winter to a simple and relaxed walk in summer, anything is possible!
👉🏻 See two concrete timeline examples for a no guest wedding
👉🏻 I’ve written a full article with everything to consider when planning a stress-free wedding schedule, and examples of the timeline for a wedding with no guests.
How much does a no guest wedding cost?
One of the reasons why many couples choose a no guest wedding is also financial.
Without catering, without venues for dozens of people, and without large setups, the budget is invested in what really matters:
- the experience
- the time together
- the memories
For many couples, this is a huge relief.
A wedding without guests in Italy can cost between €6,000 and €25,000, depending on needs and vendors.
👉🏻 See a detailed cost breakdown for a mountain wedding in Italy.
👉🏻 Discover my services and prices as a photographer for a no guest wedding
Vendors reduced to a minimum for a Wedding with no guests? Then better invest well!
Few but good!
If a wedding without guests can bring some savings in catering and hotels, I recommend investing your money well! So don’t compromise and hire the wedding suppliers of your dreams.
Consider a local wedding planner for a small wedding?
A Dolomites wedding planner can be very helpful, but it’s definitely not always needed!
Often, working with local vendors is already eliminating much coordination, planning and stress. Like working with ma as a local elopement photographer in the Dolomites will already put off much pressure in searching for locations, making the timelines and get some secret tips!
Book a photographer who specializes in adventurous elopement weddings with no guests
The photos remain forever.
Since a wedding without no guests is a particular wedding, I highly recommend investing in a photographer who specializes in intimate weddings of this type. Since the photographer will be the vendor you will spend most of your time with, it will be important to have good chemistry.
To find out if I am the person you are looking for, contact me for a free and non-binding video call!
👉🏻 Also, you can find out if my packages could be something for you!
Officiant or ceremony for two?
A good officiant can make your ceremony fun or desperately romantic! Don’t just pick one for it’s sake.
Unfortunately in Italy, the ceremonies with officiant are only symbolic or religious (they can be legal / official in the places that the municipality approves, for example, a castle).
Or just think of having a ceremony for the two of you, alone in a place you love deeply, with a particular ritual.
Of course, going alone brings more freedom, but just get organized.
Pranzo e cena romantici
Since you are not invited, you can make lunch and dinner even more special moments for you.
For example, you could have a picnic for lunch and a romantic dinner in the evening, in one of the starred restaurants in South Tyrol, book a private chef, or simply eat a pizza in the moonlight, on a meadow. You have the choice!
Wedding Dresses and Attires
Always allow yourselves enough time to look for wedding dresses and attires, but also to receive them.
How to tell the family that you want a no guest wedding,
and they are not invited to the wedding?
This depends a lot on the type of relationship you have with your family.
The best thing is probably always to be transparent and honest.
Postcards
For example, you can send postcards and say:
“We elope to get married far away from the world on * wedding date * – but we will come back and we will love you as before”.
Or something funny like:
“We have 3 news: one good and 2 better ones! The good one: We’re getting married. The best ones: You don’t need to be there and you don’t need to send us gifts.”
Wedding announcement party
Even having a small party before or after the wedding keeps family or friends from feeling left out.
Maybe by showing the wedding photos you make them participate in some way. So you’re not going to offend anyone and you don’t need to feel guilty.
Postcards also help to announce your wedding in a cute way.
Videocall
If you live far away from your loved ones, a good idea is certainly to make a video call with the family to announce your wedding and have a drink all together even if far away.
You can do this before or after eloping!
Write a social media post
After announcing your wedding to your family, you can let everyone else know about your wedding with a post on social media. This is not for everyone perhaps, but it is a good idea for those who want to let their friends know too.
FAQs About A No Guest Wedding
If you want to legally get married, yes!
Yes! However, you must always evaluate what types of clothes you have and how difficult your excursion is.
Where I can I will gladly help you, above all, I will be happy to advise you as a local photographer in the Dolomites.
In the meantime, you can read the full guide to elope in the Dolomites!
Drop me an email to take the first step towards your dream wedding. I will be happy to support you wherever I can.✨
