How to Have an Intimate Wedding in Gwinnett County, Georgia
Gwinnett County Intimate Wedding Packages: A Complete Guide for Couples
If you're dreaming of getting married without planning a huge traditional wedding, Gwinnett County has some surprisingly beautiful options for intimate weddings and elopements.
And small doesn't have to mean ordinary.
From a historic courthouse ceremony in Downtown Lawrenceville to a chapel surrounded by nature in Peachtree Corners, couples can create a meaningful wedding surrounded by the people who matter most—without hosting 100+ guests.
As a Gwinnett County intimate wedding photographer and wedding officiant, I love helping couples create celebrations that feel personal, beautiful and uncomplicated.
So if you're considering a small wedding in Gwinnett County, here's what you should know.
What Is the Gwinnett County Intimate Wedding Package?
Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation currently offers intimate wedding options designed for up to 28 guests, plus the couple.
There are two primary options.
The Simple I Do's Package is currently $175 per couple and includes a one-hour ceremony in a decorated intimate wedding room at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville.
The county's larger Intimate Wedding Package currently costs $1,000 for Gwinnett County residents and $1,075 for non-residents and includes two hours in a private setting—one hour for the ceremony and one hour for a small reception.
Pricing and package details can change, so couples should always confirm current information directly with Gwinnett County before making plans.
See Gwinnett County's current Intimate Wedding Packages
What Does the Intimate Wedding Package Include?
This is what makes the program particularly interesting for couples who don't want to coordinate dozens of individual wedding details.
According to Gwinnett County's current package information, the ceremony includes seating and décor for your guests, a bouquet and boutonnière option, a personalized welcome sign, unity ceremony table, Bluetooth speaker and an easel for a photo or display.
The reception portion includes a single-tier wedding cake or cupcakes, cocktail tables with linens, serving items, decorated gift/cake/beverage tables, punch and water.
The couple primarily needs to invite their guests and bring their own officiant.
And that last part is important.
You'll Need a Wedding Officiant
Gwinnett County's package does not include your wedding officiant. Couples are instructed to bring their own.
That's something you don't want to leave until the last minute.
At Andrea Lucia & Co., I provide wedding officiating for couples planning intimate weddings, elopements and smaller ceremonies throughout Gwinnett County and Metro Atlanta.
I can also perform ceremonies in English or bilingually in English and Spanish, which can be especially meaningful when you're bringing two families, languages or cultures together.
Your ceremony can still feel personal and intentional even when you're keeping the wedding itself simple.
Planning your Gwinnett County wedding and still need an officiant?
9 Gwinnett County Locations for an Intimate Wedding
One of my favorite things about this program is that couples aren't limited to one traditional venue.
Gwinnett County currently lists nine participating locations.
1. Gwinnett Historic Courthouse — Lawrenceville
If you love historic architecture and want your wedding to feel elegant without planning a huge celebration, this is one I'd seriously consider.
The courthouse is located in historic Downtown Lawrenceville and features a grand staircase, vintage chandeliers, large windows, gardens, gazebo and other spaces that can create beautiful wedding portraits. Gwinnett County also specifically offers intimate wedding packages here.
Photography idea: Have your ceremony at the courthouse and build extra portrait time into your schedule for romantic just-married photographs around the courthouse and Downtown Lawrenceville.
2. Isaac Adair House — Lawrenceville
A historic house gives a small wedding an entirely different feeling from a traditional ballroom.
For couples who want something intimate, romantic and full of character, this could be a beautiful option.
3. Lawrenceville Female Seminary — Lawrenceville
Another historic Lawrenceville option for couples who want architecture and history to become part of their wedding story.
4. Freeman's Mill Park — Lawrenceville
For couples who would rather be surrounded by nature than a traditional wedding venue, Freeman's Mill offers a completely different atmosphere.
5. Chesser-Williams House — Buford
This historic property gives couples another option for a celebration that feels intimate and distinctive without requiring a traditional large wedding venue.
6. Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center — Buford
A particularly interesting choice for couples who want beautiful surroundings and something less traditional.
7. Historic Lee Barn — Buford
If your vision leans more rustic and relaxed, the Historic Lee Barn could be worth exploring.
8. McDaniel Farm Park — Duluth
McDaniel Farm Park gives couples another outdoor setting and can be especially appealing if natural, relaxed wedding portraits are important to you.
9. Simpsonwood Park Chapel — Peachtree Corners
This may be one of the most romantic options for couples who still want the feeling of getting married in a chapel while keeping the celebration intimate.
The chapel sits within the wooded Simpsonwood Park property, providing opportunities for both ceremony photographs and outdoor portraits.
All nine are currently listed by Gwinnett County as locations participating in its Intimate Wedding Package program.
Don't Skip Professional Photography Because You're Having a Small Wedding
This is something I feel strongly about.
The number of guests doesn't determine how important your wedding is.
You may only have 10, 20 or 30 people there.
But you're still going to exchange vows.
Your parents may still cry.
Your partner will still see you dressed for your wedding for the first time.
There will still be hugs, nervous laughs, rings, flowers, family photographs and that incredible “We just got married!” moment.
Those memories deserve to be documented.
And because an intimate wedding has fewer moving pieces than a traditional eight- or ten-hour wedding day, you may not need all-day photography coverage.
That's exactly why I offer photography experiences specifically for elopements and intimate weddings.
Can One Person Be Your Photographer and Officiant?
Yes—I offer both photography and wedding officiating services, but there are logistical considerations when couples want both services for the same wedding.
Because I obviously can't photograph your ceremony while I'm standing in front of you officiating it, photography coverage during the actual ceremony may require an additional photographer from my team.
We can determine the best setup based on your ceremony, location, photography needs and guest count.
The advantage is having one person help you coordinate two major parts of your intimate wedding experience instead of trying to figure everything out separately.
A Simple Gwinnett County Intimate Wedding Timeline
A two-hour celebration doesn't need to feel rushed.
For example:
Before the ceremony: Details, couple individually, immediate family and anticipation.
Ceremony: Processional, vows, rings, first kiss and signing.
Immediately afterward: Family photographs and wedding-party photographs, if applicable.
Portrait time: Just-married portraits of the two of you around your venue.
Reception: Cake cutting, champagne or another celebratory toast, candid photographs and final moments with your guests.
That's enough time to tell a surprisingly complete wedding story when the day is intentionally planned.
Who Is a Gwinnett County Intimate Wedding Perfect For?
This option may make sense if you're thinking:
“We don't want to spend a fortune on one day.”
“We only want our closest family and friends there.”
“Neither of us wants a huge wedding.”
“We want something nicer than simply signing paperwork at the courthouse.”
“We'd rather spend our money on our home, honeymoon or future.”
Or maybe you're simply thinking:
“We want to get married without turning it into a production.”
There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Your wedding can be small and beautiful.
Planning an Intimate Wedding in Gwinnett County?
I'm Andrea De La Cruz, the photographer and wedding officiant behind Andrea Lucia & Co.
I specialize in documenting intimate weddings, elopements, courthouse ceremonies and meaningful smaller celebrations throughout Gwinnett County and Metro Atlanta.
Whether you need:
Intimate wedding photography
Elopement photography
Courthouse wedding photography
Wedding officiating
Bilingual English/Spanish officiating
Or photography + officiating assistance
I'd love to hear what you're planning.
Andrea Lucia & Co.
Gwinnett County + Metro Atlanta
Photography • Elopements • Wedding Officiating
andrealuciaphotography.com
@andrealucia_photography
