Intimate Weddings Are In For 2025 In San Antonio (And We’re So Here for It)
If you’ve been daydreaming about a wedding that feels more like a laid-back dinner party with your favorite people and less like a performance for 200 guests, you’re not alone. Intimate weddings are having a serious moment—and honestly, we hope it’s here to stay.
As San Antonio wedding photographers who’ve chased golden hour with couples all across Texas, we’ve seen firsthand how magical a small wedding can be. Spoiler: the real magic? It’s not in the guest count. It’s in the way your dad tears up during your vows, or the way your best friend can’t stop giggling during the champagne toast.
Let’s talk about why intimate weddings are in this year—and why they might be perfect for you.
What Is an Intimate Wedding, Exactly?
An intimate wedding usually includes 50 guests or fewer. But really, it's not about the number—it’s about the feel.
It's slower. More intentional. Less pressure to follow a Pinterest-perfect checklist and more space to focus on what actually matters: you two, your love story, and the people who helped shape it.
We recently photographed an intimate wedding at Ivy Hall in San Antonio. No seating chart. No wedding party. Just two people, hand in hand, surrounded by the humans who mattered most. And y’all—it was powerful. Every word of their vows landed. Every hug was heartfelt. Every tear was real.
Why Couples Are Choosing Intimate Weddings in 2025
1. Real Connection > Performance
You know that moment when you're trying to say hi to 100+ guests in one night, and you only get to hug your grandma for 20 seconds? Yeah... no thanks.
Couples today are craving connection. They want real conversations, genuine moments, and space to actually feel their wedding day—not just survive it.
2. Budget Freedom (Without Sacrificing Style)
Here’s the truth: cutting down your guest list opens up your budget to splurge where it matters.
Want to book that dreamy boutique venue in Boerne? Or hire the DJ who knows how to turn your reception into a dance floor revival? When you’re not paying $80+ per plate for 150 guests, you can channel that money toward things that reflect you.
One of our couples used their intimate wedding budget to book a full weekend at Paniolo Ranch. They stayed onsite, shared the weekend together, and enjoyed the Hill Country. It felt more like a soul-refreshing retreat than a whirlwind wedding.
Perks of Intimate Weddings (From a Photographer’s POV)
1. More Room for Real Moments
Smaller weddings allow us to blend in like guests—capturing tearful glances, spontaneous laughs, and those in-between moments that would otherwise get missed in a crowd.
At one backyard wedding, we caught a shot of the couple dancing in the string lights. It wasn’t planned. No one posed. But it’s now their favorite photo—because it feels so intimate.
2. The Timeline is Way More Chill
No rushing. No 18-person wedding party to wrangle. You can design a day that actually breathes.
Want to start the morning with a coffee date or do a private vow exchange at sunset? Done. Want to end the night by dancing barefoot under string lights with your closest friends? Even better.
3. Freedom to Choose Unique Locations
Smaller guest counts = venue flexibility. You’re not limited to big halls or hotel ballrooms.
Some of our favorite intimate wedding spots in and around San Antonio:
Ivy Hall – Quirky gardens + modern style = magic.
Paniolo Ranch – Picture-perfect sunsets and hilltop views.
Hotel Havana – Charming, historic, and full of character.
Your backyard or family land – You’d be surprised how romantic “home” can feel with a few string lights and good tacos.
How to Make Your Small Wedding Big on Meaning
The best part about intimate weddings? You can throw out the “rules” and craft a day that’s unapologetically you.
1. Personal Vows That Hit the Heart
When you're not using a microphone in a ballroom, you can speak softly—and still be heard. Couples often tell us their private vow exchanges were the most emotional part of the day. Bonus: it photographs beautifully in natural light.
2. Creative Touches That Tell Your Story
Want a guestbook made of vinyl records from your favorite bands? Or a ceremony where you plant a tree together? We say: go for it. Small weddings let your personality shine without needing a stage.
We once photographed a couple who had all their guests write love notes during cocktail hour, then placed them in a time capsule to open on their fifth anniversary. How sweet is that?
3. Shared Meals & Toast Circles
Ditch the buffet line and do a family-style dinner where everyone passes the mashed potatoes and the laughs. Or try an open mic-style toast circle—some of the best stories and speeches happen when they come from the heart, not a notecard.
Wait, Can I Still Have a Party?
Absolutely! A small wedding doesn’t mean skipping the fun. Plenty of couples are choosing to:
Host a post-wedding celebration back home for extended friends and family.
Plan a destination reception later on (think beach house BBQ or brewery bash).
Livestream the ceremony so Grandma in Wisconsin can still be part of the moment.
Tips to Make It Picture-Perfect
Talk to your photographer early – We love helping with timelines and lighting recs to make your day flow.
Pick one or two moments to slow down – A private first dance, a golden hour walk, or a quiet minute post-ceremony can center you.
Trust your vendors – When your team gets the vibe, you can relax knowing the little stuff is handled.
Final Thoughts: It’s Always Been About the Two of You
Weddings aren’t about guest counts, centerpieces, or seating charts. They’re about connection. Love. The kind of joy that fills up a small room and spills out onto the porch.
Whether you’re getting married with 10 people at your side or 40, what matters is that it’s your story—told honestly, joyfully, and with heart.
And we’d be honored to photograph every second of it.
Thinking About an Intimate Wedding in San Antonio or the Hill Country?
Let’s talk. We’ll bring the cameras, the calm energy, and maybe even snacks. 😉
We specialize in capturing the real stuff—because those are the moments that last.
