Write an article about Why young couples are choosing ‘intimate weddings’ over lavish affairs .Organize the content with appropriate headings and subheadings (h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6), Retain any existing tags from 24-year-old Ayu Fitri celebrated her big day with a small but memorable ceremony that cost just RM13,000. (Ayu Fitri Saidatulnisa Raman pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: Foregoing grand halls and large numbers of guests, many young couples today are opting for a more relaxed, personal, and meaningful celebration – or an intimate wedding.
Beyond being cost-effective, this concept allows couples to celebrate with close friends and family in a more serene and thoughtfully curated atmosphere.
Wedding planner Amirah Abdul Halim said these events typically host between 80 and 300 guests – mainly close family and friends – and are often held at venues like villas, cafés, or gardens, which are increasingly favoured over large-scale occasions at grand locations.
According to her, even financially capable couples are embracing this concept, choosing to avoid unnecessary spending to instead invest in experiences that create lasting memories.
The overall cost of an intimate wedding depends on several factors, she noted, including the venue, food packages, decorations, photography, attire, and entertainment. Opting for more premium choices increases the total cost of the event.
Amirah shared that there are ways to keep the event attractive without exceeding one’s budget, such as choosing a naturally beautiful venue, limiting the guest list, and hiring creative but less popular service providers.
She also advised couples to set their budget early and avoid changing the concept frequently, which can add to costs. She emphasised the importance of discussing plans with family early on to prevent last-minute guest additions.
Meanwhile, event-hall operator Norsyafalina Yahaya pointed out that intimate weddings gained popularity following the pandemic, when large-scale events were prohibited. The influence of social-media personalities who shared their own wedding memories also played a role.
Puteri Nurfarhah, 26, believes the presence of family, close friends, and the one you love are enough to make one’s wedding day meaningful. (Puteri Nurfarhah Mohd Zain pic)
The co-founder of an event-planning company in Negeri Sembilan said financial considerations are a key reason why young couples choose this concept, prompting businesses to offer more budget-friendly packages.
Family matters
Acknowledging that parental expectations for grand celebrations can be a major challenge for young couples, Ayu Fitri Saidatulnisa Raman, who celebrated her big day with just 100 guests, said communication is key.
The 24-year-old said she and her partner first agreed on a shared vision – including the guest list, budget capacity, and life after the wedding – which they then discussed openly with both sets of parents.
“To make sure our families didn’t feel excluded, they were part of decisions like food selection and event schedule. This helped ease their initial concerns about having a small-scale wedding,” she said, adding that the event cost around RM13,000.
Puteri Nurfarhah Mohd Zain, 26, has a similar perspective, believing that a small wedding is not a downgrade. She and her partner were thoroughly satisfied, describing their ceremony as “perfect”, filled with beautiful moments and lasting memories.
“Don’t feel ashamed about choosing a small wedding. Beautiful memories are built on the support of family, the presence of close friends, and the flow of unconditional love – all of which make your special day truly meaningful.
“If your family or partner isn’t on board with an intimate wedding, don’t be discouraged. Everyone sees things differently, and open, honest conversations are the best way to avoid misunderstandings,” she concluded.
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