With fewer people and a little less formality, an intimate Maryland wedding gives couples more time to actually enjoy the people they invited, take in everything happening around them, and make the celebration feel completely their own. That was exactly what Nikki and Eric wanted for their wedding at The Hummingbird Chateau.

Instead of trying to fit everything into a few hours on one day, they turned their wedding into a full weekend with their closest family and friends. They kicked things off with a crab feast on Friday, followed by a laidback wedding day filled with good food, custom cocktails, and plenty of time together. And looking through the photos captured by Alysha Yoder, you can see exactly why intimate weddings can be so much fun.

Starting the Wedding Weekend With a Maryland Crab Feast

Nikki and Eric didn’t wait until the ceremony to start celebrating. Their wedding weekend began on Friday with a crab feast surrounded by the people closest to them.

We love when couples find ways to make the entire weekend part of the experience, especially when they’re planning a smaller wedding. When your guest list is more intimate, there’s more opportunity to spend actual time together instead of feeling like you have to make your way around a room of 150 people before the night is over.

For Nikki and Eric, that meant starting the festivities early and giving everyone a chance to settle in, eat, hang out, and enjoy being together before the wedding day even arrived.

A Laidback Intimate Maryland Wedding

That same easygoing feeling carried right into Nikki and Eric’s wedding day. Their ceremony took place inside the barn, surrounded by their closest family and friends. Keeping the guest list intimate made the entire celebration feel personal, from the ceremony itself to all of the little moments throughout the day.

There was no need to make the wedding feel bigger or more elaborate simply for the sake of it. Nikki and Eric wanted a day where they could soak everything in, and that’s exactly what they created. It’s one of the reasons we love hosting intimate weddings at The Hummingbird Chateau. A smaller wedding can still have everything you love about a traditional wedding day. It just gives you a little more room to slow down and enjoy it.

Making The Hummingbird Chateau Their Own

Nikki and Eric took advantage of so many different spaces throughout the Chateau. From getting ready inside and their ceremony in the barn to portraits around the property, there were plenty of different backdrops without ever having to leave the venue.

And, of course, we have to mention that veil! The photos of Nikki and Eric in front of the stone house and around the gardens are such a fun example of how many completely different looks you can get in one place.

Good Food + Custom Cocktails

Nikki and Eric also made food and drinks a big part of the celebration, which feels very fitting for a wedding weekend that started with a crab feast! Blind Tiger Mobile Bar provided custom cocktails for the wedding, adding another personal touch to the day. The whole day felt relaxed and easy, with plenty of time for Nikki and Eric to enjoy good food, custom cocktails, and time with their favorite people.

Why We Love Intimate Weddings at The Hummingbird Chateau

A big wedding can be incredible, but bigger definitely isn’t the only way to celebrate. For couples who would rather spend more of their wedding day with a smaller group of people they’re closest to, an intimate Maryland wedding can be such a great fit. An intimate wedding doesn’t mean giving up any of the celebration. You still get the ceremony, the beautiful details, the great food and drinks, and the photos. It simply means sharing it with a smaller group of your favorite people!

If you’re looking for an intimate Maryland wedding venue where you can bring your closest people together for a celebration that feels relaxed, personal, and completely yours, we’d love to show you around The Hummingbird Chateau. Get in touch to schedule a tour and start planning your own wedding weekend with us!