A big idea about small weddings

Bigger is not always better. That’s how a team of event industry entrepreneurs feels about 21st century weddings.

Beginning this summer, Covered Bridge Inn will offer tiny weddings, an all-inclusive, two-hour, streamlined event for 20 or fewer guests.

“Options are what people need,” said Ingrid Hopkins, innkeeper and owner of Covered Bridge Inn. “It’s not necessarily for everyone to have a big, 200-person wedding.”

Sometimes large weddings are also cost-prohibitive for couples who may have other obligations, such as a down payment on a home or expensive student loan payments. The tiny wedding concept may also be appealing for second weddings or folks renewing their vows, Hopkins said.

With many weddings being canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, couples may choose a smaller wedding sooner over a larger wedding later.

“These couples don’t have a lot of options,” Hopkins said. “In creating this option, maybe they can just celebrate together by having this tiny wedding of the highest quality, and then when things get back to normal they can do a big party later.”

Hopkins has teamed with Fork + Flask, Styled, Coastal Tented Events, Carolina Sugar Fairy and photographer Becca Neufeld. Together, the group designs a seasonally appropriate wedding that includes a ceremony with officiant and a cocktail-style reception with table centerpieces, three passed hors d’oeuvres, champagne toasts and a cake. Photography and music are also included.

“This eliminates all of the selections from the bride and groom,” Hopkins said. “They don’t have to choose design, rentals or vendors. We have that streamlined for them. We want this to be a high-end experience on a smaller scale.”

Weddings will be styled with the season.

“They will come to us knowing we have their best interest in mind, and it will be beautiful,” Hopkins said.

Weather will not be an issue either, Hopkins said, as they have the ability to hold weddings indoors or outdoors at the inn’s antique milking barn.

“It’s cool in the summer and out of the wind in the fall, but with ample photograph opportunities both indoors and outdoors,” she said.

With Gov. John Carney’s state of emergency limiting gatherings to fewer than 10 people, Hopkins said, tiny weddings will begin after measures are lifted. She expects to begin hosting tiny weddings on weekdays beginning this summer through the fall. Tiny weddings will only be offered on weekdays, as larger weddings are already booked for most weekends through the end of the year.

“When couples realize how much they’re saving financially and in mental stress, I think people will see this is a viable option,” Hopkins said.