When planning their intimate nuptials, this couple looked to Rikki Ladenheim of boutique wedding and event planning firm Rikki Ladenheim Events to orchestrate a luxurious celebration for their nearest and dearest. Though the guest list was small, no detail was overlooked in the creation of the stunning soirée, and personalized details filled every corner of the event.

"I love getting to know a couple," shares Rikki, who produces events that reflect her clients' distinct style, personality, and vision. "I think because of Covid, it took the intimacy to a new level. So many ups and downs and emotions just made me love them even more... I also really enjoyed creating a beautiful and intimate space on the micro level."

Since the wedding took place at a private residence, the sites for both the ceremony and reception meant something special to the couple. In fact, the ceremony took place in their living room and "was designed to blend with the surrounding space, which included lots of natural elements like wood and marble," notes Rikki. Family and friends found their seats atop slatted wood chairs as they witnessed the vow exchange beneath an arch of fresh, textured greenery.

The cocktail hour provided yet another opportunity for the pair's personalities to shine through. "Our clients wanted their wedding to feel very personal, and every design decision was made with that goal in mind," confirms Rikki. To honor their families, speciality cocktails were named after family members who couldn't be physically present at the wedding, and the passed hors d'oeuvres – including bite-sized pimento cheese sandwiches and fried chicken sliders – were selected as an ode the bride's Southern roots.

"The reception was designed to blend with the natural elements of our clients' backyard to create a seamless, yet elevated and sleek look."

For the reception, loved ones gathered at a single table beneath an elegant clear-top tent adorned with industrial-style light bulbs to add a chic ambience. "The reception was designed to blend with the natural elements of our clients' backyard to create a seamless, yet elevated and sleek look," shares Rikki. "We landed on a simple color palette of whites and greens, and incorporated natural elements such as ceramic and wood." Each vessel was filled with a single type of flower or greenery, from hyacinth and ranunculus blooms to anemones, astilbe, and dahlias.

Attendees savored a delicious menu of elegant fare as conversation flowed beautifully throughout the evening. For dessert, guests enjoyed a root-beer float station that incorporated a vintage Coca-Cola cart that had belonged to the bride's family for several generations. In addition, they were served slices from a three-tiered textured buttercream wedding cake complete with a custom sculpture of the bride and groom playing with their dog.

Couples who want to create a similar look for their own intimate celebrations should take the advice of Rikki, who made sure every element truly "felt" like the couple and fit with the setting. "Seek out a location that is very organic and natural," she starts. "I think it's important to create a story... I try to create a space that looks like it belongs, so it almost feels as if no effort went into designing the event."

Take a look at the images in the slideshow above to see more from this wedding featuring a natural, organic design scheme with a neutral color palette. Happy planning!