My years as a bridal stylist have taught me that a small guest list doesn’t have to mean a small wedding experience.

One of my favorite things about working side by side with brides is how fabulous and exciting the wedding day is. Helping to create a magical lifelong memory is a role I gladly take on. 

Over the years, I have coined the phrase “party before the party” to refer to the bridal party hair and makeup session. For the sake of this article, I’ll also coin “party after the after-party.”

Here are my tips to achieve a larger than life wedding with a small guest list, aka the #ThePamperedPlaylist!

No. 1 - Go All In On Your Bridal Glam Session

Your glam session is a significant window of time, and it’s spent with all your fave people.

Those hours can quickly become stressful moments filled with craziness. Instead, with a little care and attention, you can create the best morning routine you + your party have ever experienced!

I always ask my brides, 

“What do you want your wedding day vibes to be? Are we doing low key, relaxation spa vibes, or are we having a fancy rendezvous?”

There are sooo many tiny touches you add to your bridal glam session (30%-40% of your bridal time) to create a more memorable wedding day.

Go all in.

When designing your morning bridal glam session, add things like:

• face masks

• paraffin wax dips

• massages

• foot massages

• tanning sessions

• and customized beauty kits

All these things can be set up and scheduled by your beauty team. Literally, you’ll just walk into luxury and do nothing but sip bubbly and be your fab self. 

No. 2 - Hire a Celebrity Photographer For the Morning 

Hiring the right photographer to do a really cool, artsy session with you + your squad is a game-changer. 

Many brides opt-out of having their wedding photographer participate in their glam session because, let's be honest, who wants awkward no makeup pictures!?

However…

… if you hire a second photographer specializing in a more editorial style - and have your squad come in super cute comfy clothes - you can rock a private photoshoot!

Think about what unique bridal party gifts these pictures could become! 

No. 3 - Three Parties Are Better Than One! 

Why plan one party when you can plan three! Your wedding day can include a glam sess, the wedding, and a “party after the party!”

It’s becoming less common to leave for the honeymoon immediately after the wedding, so what better way to end the night than with your favorite people!

Instead of a hotel block, rent a mansion! You can have your squad pitch in and recreate your best teenage memories. 

Book a food truck. Rent a stage and karaoke set up! And for everyone’s sake, at this point, NO PHOTOGRAPHERS, lol! 

Rock out, sing like no one’s watching, take tons of selfies with all your fave people. Basically, party all night. 

No. 4 - Go All Out On Your “Week Of” Attire

I’m talking all white everything - all day every day - the week of your wedding! 

This is your week - your moment. Celebrate it! 

Dressing up is one of the best ways to feel good and release endorphins (release stress).

Your all-white attire will be that little glimmer of light - a daily reminder that you are living an extraordinary moment in your life. 

Fill your wedding week with feelings of bliss and sunshine. Find moments to close your eyes and take in the fairytale. 

Most of my brides' live "normal" day to day lives, so this is the perfect time for them (and you) to do something different and fun!

Conclusion

A small guest list doesn’t have to mean a small wedding experience. The time, money, and energy you would have spent on invitations, food, drinks, etc. can now go to creating a larger-than-life and more intimate week-long celebration with your most treasured friends and family - and you of course!

Need help creating the perfect bridal look and pampering your squad? I got you Queen!