The secrecy and behind the scenes of the wedding celebration. Advice for couples from PEOPLETALK columnist Anna Gorodzhey, founder of wedding agency SVADBERRY

Anna Gorodzhaya is the owner and founder of the Event Gorod group of companies and the wedding agency Svadberry, author of the book “Wedding Without Marriage”, The Fashion Vibes columnist.

The wedding trend for secret, behind-the-scenes celebrations has become increasingly popular in recent years. Many couples prefer to hold this important event not in the traditional format with a large list of guests, but in a more private atmosphere, limiting themselves to a narrow circle of close people or even in a completely private format with just the two of them.

Often a wedding is perceived as a beautiful, fun and unforgettable event; 51% of those surveyed gave this answer. 47% think it is one of the main events in a person’s life and a way to legitimize relationships between partners.

Considering the scale of the wedding celebration, the majority of respondents (42%) prefer to have a wedding with their closest relatives. Another quarter (24%) want to celebrate a large wedding with lots of guests; 22% are alone with close friends and 12% with a partner.

In 2024, SVADBERRY began to host more events in the NDA format, that is, under a non-disclosure agreement. Couples don’t want publicity; It is important for them to maintain a comfortable family environment.

It is possible to see a similar trend in the example of domestic and foreign projects.

striving for privacy

In the age of social networks and constant information noise, many people want to preserve personal moments for themselves and those closest to them, without sharing them with a wider audience. Private and hidden from prying eyes, weddings allow you to protect your space from unnecessary attention, preserve privacy and avoid unnecessary stress that comes with preparing a mass event.

At the same time, the biggest advantage of a private wedding in a tight circle abroad is the opportunity to choose a unique place that will make the day truly unforgettable. It could be an Italian winery in Tuscany, a picturesque beach in Greece, a secluded castle in France or a chalet in Switzerland. These places attract attention not only with their beauty, but also with their atmosphere that creates a feeling of privacy and exclusivity.

We have organized many special wedding celebrations this season. For example, the concepts of “Between Heaven and Earth” and Feel were created for our couples and their immediate surroundings. It turned into a magnificent wedding celebration with a program that lasted several days.

Focus on the meaning of the event

Secret weddings allow you to pay more attention to the moment itself and the people who really matter to the couple. Here everything is organized as if for yourself, without the stress of numerous guests and complex schedules. This is the time to embrace the importance of the moment rather than worrying about logistics and entertaining others.

Thoughtful logistics is also one of the main challenges when organizing a foreign wedding. It is necessary to take into account transportation, comfortable accommodation of guests and, possibly, their transfer to the ceremony site. For intimate weddings, this process is made a little easier by keeping the number of guests low. Organizers can offer the most comfortable options for all participants and book a mini hotel or villa where the couple and their guests will stay together.

This behind-the-scenes event allows the bride and groom to bond even more with family and friends. This approach is liberating and allows you to actively involve guests in the wedding celebration. For example, friends of the groom and bridesmaids in the Feel it concept staged a grand entrance to a flash crowd and special music, and the little sisters shamelessly took out rings and rose petals from those present.

Opportunity to invest in quality rather than quantity

By reducing the number of guests, you can focus on creating a truly unique and quality experience. This may include having the ceremony in a secluded but beautiful location, a more elaborate menu, and decor that suits the couple’s taste.

When organizing a wedding in another country, it is important to carefully choose contractors (photographers, florists, decorators, organizers and caterers). Many couples choose to use the services of wedding agencies that specialize in international weddings. Professionals who are familiar with the local culture and market will help avoid misunderstandings and organize the wedding to high standards.

minimalist aesthetic

Intimate weddings often follow a minimalist aesthetic that focuses on naturalness and elegant simplicity. This can manifest itself in the choice of location (for example, secluded beaches, forest secrets or private wineries), concise clothing and simple decor. Couples avoid luxury and excess and pursue sincerity and naturalness.

Often, behind-the-scenes wedding ceremonies abroad are held against a backdrop of natural beauty or historic architecture, allowing decor to be kept to a minimum.

Both Svadberry concepts – “Between Heaven and Earth” and Feel – were held in waterfront hotels just steps from the bay. The magnificent views created by nature will be remembered by couples and their guests for many years to come.

Alternative to traditional scenarios

Beautiful traditional weddings with banquets and many rituals do not always reflect the personal preferences and character of modern couples. Private ceremonies provide the opportunity to show your individuality and create a unique scenario. For example, some couples travel and have a secret wedding away from home or choose the Elopement Wedding format, where the wedding becomes something spontaneous and symbolic rather than a formally planned event.

cost reduction

Private weddings also help reduce costs because there is no need for large budgets for renting large venues, hosting large numbers of guests, and multi-part programs. Instead of spending money on a single event, couples can invest in a honeymoon, starting a family, or long-term goals.

Foreign backstage weddings

Organizing a private wedding abroad is becoming a popular choice for couples who want to host a special event in a unique environment, away from the daily hustle and bustle. Such celebrations require careful planning and involve many nuances.

Here are a few features to consider when preparing for a special wedding abroad and examples of how our agency solves these problems.

• In-house experts for important decor tasks and ideas. Foreign contractors are only involved in execution, but all decisions are controlled by our experts.
• Individual approach. When organizing a wedding abroad, ready-made software packages with minimal creativity are often offered. They often contain elements that newlyweds do not always need. We offer special packages with a unique approach, taking into account the individual wishes of couples.
• tool placement. Our agency places all its staff in regular hotels, but in order to quickly resolve organizational issues, the general manager always stays at the hotel where the event is held.
• Full control over permissions and licenses. The project manager controls all necessary permissions and access so that the team can easily enter the site.
• Logistics and coordination. We have extensive experience in organizing transfers, VIP passes and concierge service all over the world.
• Cost optimization on flights for crew and artists. We control the entire transport process: We determine routes, organize meetings with signs and remind about all movements.
• Full coordination of guests. Each guest is provided with a program and schedule of events in their room.
• Review local laws. For example, drone photography could be banned. Noise laws are also strictly enforced.
• Continuous service and control. We provide operational support and control throughout the preparation and organization stages of the event.
• The team meets with responsible managers on site and clearly coordinates all areas of responsibility during the event.

Secret and private weddings increasingly symbolize the desire for originality, the expression of one’s values, and the desire to experience the big day deeply, rather than being influenced by external expectations. Foreign private wedding ceremonies require special attention to detail. The SVADBERRY team has extensive experience in organizing celebrations both in Russia and abroad, including weddings in NDA format, which will remain in the memory of newlyweds and guests for a lifetime.