Why We Chose an Intimate Wedding — And Why More Couples Are Doing the Same

Every wedding anniversary takes me back to one of the most magical days of our lives and reminds me why we chose to celebrate our love differently.

On July 25, 2022, my husband Ron Zalko—whom I affectionately call Papi—and I exchanged our vows atop the breathtaking Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, British Columbia. Instead of inviting hundreds of guests, we intentionally chose to celebrate with only our 12 nearest and dearest.

It was one of the best decisions we have ever made.

Photo courtesy of William Orsua of Soul Mate Productions. Vancouver’s Fitness Guru, Ron Zalko with his wife, Matte Laurel Zalko.

In an era where weddings can easily become elaborate productions costing tens of thousands of dollars, more couples are embracing the beauty of intimate celebrations. The trend toward micro weddings, typically attended by fewer than 50 guests, has continued to grow well beyond the pandemic years. Couples are realizing that a wedding is not about how many people witness your vows, but about the quality of the moments shared with those who matter most.

For us, love never needed a grand audience. It only needed the people who had walked beside us, celebrated our victories, comforted us through life’s challenges, and sincerely wished us happiness. With the exception of my único hijo, William, none of our relatives were present. Instead, we chose to be surrounded by our carefully chosen inner circle—the people who have become our family by choice.

Less guests truly meant less stress, more meaningful conversations, and far more unforgettable memories.

Photo courtesy of William Orsua of Soul Mate Productions. Vancouver’s Fitness Guru, Ron Zalko with his wife, Matte Laurel Zalko.

Our destination was nothing short of spectacular.

Located just 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver along the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway, the Sea to Sky Gondola offers one of British Columbia’s most breathtaking wedding venues. The experience begins with a ten-minute gondola ride that slowly rises above Howe Sound before revealing panoramic views of emerald islands, dramatic fjords, towering Coast Mountains, dense forests, and snow-capped peaks stretching endlessly into the distance.

Even before our ceremony began, our guests were already immersed in an unforgettable experience.

After crossing the iconic suspension bridge, they arrived at Howe Sound Lookout—a rocky cliff perched approximately 3,000 feet above sea level. Standing there, surrounded by nature’s grandeur, we realized we didn’t need extravagant floral installations or elaborate decorations.

Nature had already done all the decorating.

Sometimes the world’s greatest wedding designer is Mother Nature herself.

Photo courtesy of William Orsua of Soul Mate Productions. Vancouver’s Fitness Guru, Ron Zalko with his wife, Matte Laurel Zalko. In this photo with their Officiant, Erika Enns.

Our ceremony, beautifully officiated by Erika Enns of Young Hip & Married, lasted just under 25 minutes—exactly as we had envisioned. We wrote our own vows, allowing our personalities to shine through. Anyone who knows us knows that humour has always been at the heart of our relationship, so our ceremony was filled with laughter, happy tears, and plenty of smiles.

Adding another layer of romance was acclaimed Vancouver harpist Melissa Heartt, whose beautiful interpretations of “La Vie En Rose,” “Moon River,” “What a Wonderful World,” and “Sway” floated gently through the mountain air.

Because Ron was born in Jerusalem and proudly served as an officer in the Israeli Navy before becoming Vancouver’s Fitness Guru, it was deeply important for us to honour his Jewish heritage.

During the Hakafot, I circled my groom seven times, symbolizing love, protection, and the home we were creating together. At the conclusion of our ceremony, he joyfully broke the ceremonial glass—a timeless reminder that even life’s happiest moments require resilience, commitment, and strength.

Photo courtesy of William Orsua of Soul Mate Productions.

Like many brides, I also embraced the tradition of “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.”

My “something borrowed” was the timeless melody of Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. As the harp played those familiar notes, I walked through the forest aisle toward the love of my life, feeling as though I had stepped into my own fairy tale.

My “something blue” was my custom-designed Tiffany & Co. engagement ring, lovingly created in New York—a treasured symbol of the promise that brought us to that mountaintop.

My “something new” was the wedding gown I had dreamed of wearing—a princess-style San Patrick by Pronovias gown crafted with exquisite handmade Alençon lace from Normandy and layers of ethereal French silk tulle.

Photo courtesy of William Orsua of Soul Mate Productions.

And my “something old”?

Our ages.

Yes, really.

Finding one another later in life has become one of our greatest blessings. Our story reminds us that there is no timeline for finding your soulmate. Love has no expiration date, and sometimes life saves its greatest gift for exactly the right season.

One of the most emotional moments of our wedding was being escorted down the aisle by my beloved son William. He walked me halfway before gently placing my hand into Ron’s. It remains one of the most cherished memories of my life.

Standing beside me were my beloved Court of Honour—my incredible Sisterhood Tribe. Rather than asking everyone to wear identical dresses, I encouraged each woman to choose her own gown in different shades of 2022’s Colour of the Year, Very Peri. The beautiful mix of lavender, lilac, and purple perfectly reflected each woman’s unique personality while creating a stunning visual harmony.

Photo courtesy of William Orsua of Soul Mate Productions.

Their greatest gift, however, wasn’t what they wore.

It was what they gave us.

They secretly rehearsed and surprised us with a beautifully choreographed performance to their own recorded version of I Say a Little Prayer from My Best Friend’s Wedding. There wasn’t a dry eye among our guests.

Looking back four years later, I understand why intimate weddings have become one of the biggest lifestyle trends among modern couples. They offer so much more than financial savings.

Here are ten reasons so many couples are choosing to keep their guest lists small:

First, every guest is someone with whom you genuinely share a meaningful relationship.

Photo courtesy of William Orsua of Soul Mate Productions.

Second, you spend quality time with every person instead of offering quick greetings to hundreds.

Third, the atmosphere feels relaxed rather than rushed.

Fourth, couples often choose extraordinary destinations because smaller weddings make unique venues more attainable.

Photo courtesy of William Orsua of Soul Mate Productions. Vancouver’s Fitness Guru, Ron Zalko with his wife, Matte Laurel Zalko.

Fifth, your budget can be invested in experiences rather than sheer numbers.

Sixth, there is far less planning stress and fewer logistical challenges.

Seventh, your ceremony becomes deeply personal, allowing customized vows and meaningful traditions to take center stage.

Photo courtesy of William Orsua of Soul Mate Productions. Vancouver’s Fitness Guru, Ron Zalko with his wife, Matte Laurel Zalko. The only family member the couple invited was the bride’s only son.

Eighth, your photographs capture authentic emotions instead of staged formalities.

Ninth, your guests often develop deeper connections with one another because everyone shares the celebration together.

And finally, tenth, the day remains exactly what it was always meant to be—a celebration of your marriage, not simply a production.

Photo courtesy of William Orsua of Soul Mate Productions. Vancouver’s Fitness Guru, Ron Zalko with his wife, Matte Laurel Zalko.

As we celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary in 2026—and eight wonderful years together as partners, best friends, and soulmates—we wouldn’t change a single thing.

Our wedding wasn’t defined by the number of chairs, the size of the ballroom, or the length of our guest list.

It was defined by love.

By laughter.

By gratitude.

By breathtaking mountain views.

By chosen family.

Photo courtesy of William Orsua of Soul Mate Productions. Vancouver’s Fitness Guru, Ron Zalko with his wife, Matte Laurel Zalko.

And by twelve people who reminded us that the richest celebrations are never measured by how many attend, but by how deeply they care.

Some love stories simply take a little longer to unfold.

Ours was worth every single moment of the wait.