A Complete Guide to Micro Weddings
What is a Micro Wedding?
A micro wedding is a small, intimate wedding that includes just the essentials — no unnecessary extras. It typically consists of up to 20 guests and may include close family members and select friends.
Micro weddings usually have some features of a larger traditional wedding day — but they're organized on a smaller scale with a more relaxed vibe.
Micro Wedding vs. Elopement
Many people make the mistake of equating "micro" with elopement weddings, but micro weddings are quite different from elopements.
Elopements have a reputation as spur-of-the-moment and unplanned events involving an element of secrecy. But couples are taking the extra steps to personalize it too.
The definition of elopement has evolved in the last five years and doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be last minute. Elopements are just for you and your partner to celebrate together. It's not about where you go or what you wear — it's about celebrating with the person you love and making memories together that will last a lifetime.
With all the stress of wedding planning, you may have joked about eloping somewhere, but micro-weddings are a great option too! You can still get married in a small, intimate setting, and keep some of your favorite traditions alive.
Why Do Couples Have Micro Weddings?
Planning a wedding is an enormous undertaking that requires careful consideration and a substantial budget. That’s why many couples are considering alternate options to celebrate their nuptials.
It's not just for people with small guest lists — it's all about the wedding YOU want. Some people might feel like having a big wedding is worth every penny, but for others, it's not about the number of guests so much as it is about the experience. If that's you, then go for it!
Budget Friendly
Micro weddings are perfect for couples who are looking to get married without breaking the bank, but they don't have to be bare-bones affairs if that's not what you're looking for.
A micro wedding can be a great way to celebrate your love, while at the same time reducing your financial outgoings.
This is where a micro wedding can help, by providing couples with a small but special venue that will allow you to invite only the people who you wish to share your big day with.
If you're looking to keep your wedding budget under control, the best way to do that is to reduce your guest list. Many wedding vendors base their offerings on a price-per-guest basis, so a smaller affair will reduce your spending without sacrificing the quality of your event.
However, an even newer trend is emerging in the world of micro weddings, a VIP experience. Couples are deciding to increase their price per head budget for their selected friends and family to spoil their special guests with an intimate and indulgent wedding celebration.
These couples want their guests to feel like VIPs at an exclusive event full of surprises and treats for them throughout the evening.
From a luxury wedding weekend, to whisking guests away to a beautiful destination, indulgent micro weddings create once-in-a-lifetime experiences for a handful of your nearest and dearest.
There Are No Rules!
Micro weddings are all about having the freedom to do things your way. They give you the flexibility to use your creative ideas, and they don't come with a whole host of formalities and expectations like traditional weddings can.
If you're planning a large traditional wedding, you might feel like there's a lot of pressure to make it perfect. You want everything to be just so, and you want everyone involved to have the best time possible.
But what if you could have all of those things—and still have the freedom to make your wedding whatever YOU want it to be?
That's where micro weddings come in. With fewer people involved, micro weddings offer couples the flexibility they need to make their special day exactly what they've always dreamed of. They can choose their location and style based on what they love most—whether it's an exotic destination or a laid-back backyard barbecue!
And because these events are smaller than traditional weddings, they don't come with as many formalities or expectations either.
This means that couples can use their creativity when it comes time for decorations or food choices instead of feeling pressured into following traditions at all costs!
No Nerves
The best weddings are a reflection of the couple's character. If you're an introvert, for example, you might prefer a smaller micro wedding over a larger event with hundreds of guests.
Micro weddings are perfect for couples who feel more relaxed and natural in smaller settings, where they can connect with just their immediate families and closest friends.
Simplify the Process
If you're planning a smaller wedding, you might be wondering if it's worth it. After all, who wants to go through all of the planning and stress of a big wedding if you're only going to have a small number of guests?
But if you think about it, having a smaller guest list can reduce your stress in many ways.
Fewer invites to post out, fewer responses and questions to deal with, fewer menu choices to arrange, fewer table favors, and name tags to sort—a whole host of things on your to-do list can be reduced in time or even totally eliminated by reducing your guest numbers.
So don't let fear get the best of you. Instead, think about how much easier planning will be when there are fewer people involved!
Intimate Experience
A micro wedding is a perfect way to celebrate your new life with those closest to you, and it will be over before you know it.
Instead of getting lost in the crowd—or being so busy welcoming guests and saying goodbye that you never get a chance to really interact with anyone—you can spend more time chatting with your loved ones at a small gathering.
This gives everyone a chance to get comfortable and enjoy each other's company without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by all of the people who are there.
Customize to Your Heart’s Content
Micro weddings are all about personalization and customization — you get to choose what works best for your relationship and your budget so that it feels like the most perfect day ever!
Some couples feel a micro wedding allows them to enjoy the true meaning of the day, marrying the one they are completely in love with and beginning their life together.
For couples who don't want to be tied down by tradition, micro weddings are a blank canvas.
With fewer people to please, you can customize your special day however you want. You can follow all the traditions or none. Have everyone change into footie pajamas in the evening, have your guests participate in your unity ceremony, and go all in on party favors — whatever makes your heart happy!
Our Advice for Couples Planning Micro Weddings
If you decide to have a small-scale wedding, you may need to prepare for a little bit of pushback. Some people may be hurt when they fail to make your guest list. At a micro wedding, you will not meet everybody’s expectations; you know what you want and need to stick to it!
You should consider inviting people who are important in your life and their presence will make the celebration more meaningful and memorable for both of you.
The most important thing is to keep the focus on the two of you as a couple rather than the number of guests and other details.
Treat Your Guests
If you're having a small-scale wedding, it's important to treat your guests to personalized details. You may not have the budget for extravagant items, but there are still ways to make each guest feel special.
Your vendors may have great ideas for honoring your guests during your micro wedding and with a larger budget to spend on each guest, you can get creative!
These don't have to be expensive; in fact, they could be something as simple and thoughtful as crafting a cocktail for each of your guests or incorporating your guest's favorite flowers in the table centerpieces.
Your Wedding Coordinator will be Your Best Friend
Planning a smaller-scale wedding does not mean that you should do everything on your own. In fact, you and your partner will be better served by letting someone else take the reins.
A good wedding coordinator will help you with every aspect of planning, from choosing the menu to picking out flowers; they'll be able to handle all the small details so you can relax and focus on your partner and guests.
Looking for a wedding coordinator? Check out our list of amazing local coordinators who can make your micro-wedding dreams come true!
Be Selective with Your Guest List
When it comes to small weddings, it's not always easy to invite everyone you want. You have to be selective!
The first step is deciding how many people to invite. Then, start by inviting your immediate family members — parents and siblings — and then close friends.
If you have room for more people in your guest list, consider including those who have been supportive of your relationship with each other and the wedding plans.
When thinking about the guest list consider these questions; Who knows you and your partner best? Who will be truly delighted to be there?
Don't worry about upsetting people by not inviting them—that's not what this is about. This is about having a small wedding that feels personal and intimate for both sides of the aisle.
Budget for Your Splurge Items
When it comes to your budget, use the splurge and save theory. That is, splurge on the things that mean the most to you, and save on everything else.
Splurge on a gorgeous archway to get married beneath, delicious catering that can accommodate all of your guests' food preferences, and beautiful farm tables for your reception.
With a micro wedding, you may be able to eliminate certain items or decorations completely. For example, elaborate transport may be unnecessary if your wedding is at a resort and everyone is staying there.
You Should Still Create a Registry
While the micro wedding is all about you and your partner, it doesn't mean that there's no need for a registry or gift options at all.
Some people may think that because of the micro nature of the wedding, having a registry is not important. But it is necessary as your loved ones may still want to contribute to the start of your married life together.
Friends and family who were not in attendance at your wedding may still want to contribute towards a wedding gift.
Wedding Attire Inspiration
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to micro weddings. Go as elaborate or as simple as you desire with your attire — remember, there’s no rule book.
If your attire is one of your splurge items, go ahead and buy your dream wedding gown or tuxedo. Your wedding is an extremely special event, and splurging on the perfect outfit to celebrate it is totally worth it.
You can even ask guests to show up in a certain color scheme or style that matches your wedding color scheme! All your photos will look fantastic with the added element of a wedding attire color palette.
Being Flexible will Lessen Your Stress
If you're planning a micro wedding, you might be worried about whether it will be an acceptable choice for your family and friends. But don't stress!
Don’t get caught up in what a wedding should look like, and focus on what YOU want your wedding to look like. Make new traditions and forgo the ones you don’t really like.
You can also take comfort in the fact that your family and friends probably won't even care whether or not your wedding is "traditional" or "modern." They'll just care about celebrating with you!
FAQ’s
How much should you spend on a micro wedding?
When you're planning a wedding, it can be difficult to navigate all the costs and details. But if you've decided that a micro wedding is right for you, you'll want to make sure that your budget will allow for it.
A micro wedding on a budget can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000. That's a lot less than the total cost of a typical wedding and reception.
Who to invite to a micro wedding?
When planning a micro wedding, you need to think about who to invite. You'll want to include close friends and family members—and their plus-ones!
When you're thinking about who to invite, keep in mind that it's not necessary to invite distant relatives or acquaintances. If you have a large family, consider having a larger wedding so that everyone can participate in the celebrations.