If you want to know how to plan a micro wedding, then look no further. We’ve got tips and advice to make sure your intimate nuptials are unforgettable! In recent years, modern brides are choosing to break from tradition and switch up their big day to a smaller one. There are many reasons why micro weddings are growing in popularity including, being more budget-friendly, less-time consuming, and more personalized. Everyone’s special day is different and even though you’ll be inviting fewer guests, there are still lots of things to consider. JOur guide has everything you need to know about hosting a micro wedding.
Keep reading to learn more about this new trend and discover how to plan a micro wedding.
What Is A Micro Wedding?
When you think of a traditional wedding, you probably envision a huge celebration with hundreds of guests. However, more and more couples are now opting for a micro-wedding instead. A micro wedding is defined as a small-scale wedding ceremony and celebration which usually hosts around 30 guests. This can be anything from the two of you saying your vows in front of just your witnesses or a couple of guests, to a backyard BBQ for 20 people. Micro weddings are still planned carefully, and you can include all of the traditions and customs that you would have at a larger wedding. Just because this style of wedding is small in size it doesn’t mean that it’s any less extravagant!
Micro Wedding vs. Elopement
An elopement typically involves exchanging vows in front of one or two witnesses. It’s intimate, private, and sometimes secretive. Usually, much less organization is involved and they are spontaneous or last minute. Couples choose this option to avoid stress, be more creative, and be more private.
Micro Wedding vs. Minimony
Minimonies have become more popular since the recent pandemic. Couples had to postpone their weddings, so many chose to get married in front of 10 people or less, sometimes just the officiator and photographer, and skip the reception. A lot of minimonies are live-streamed to include more family and friends.
Advantages Of A Micro Wedding
The reasons why some people choose to have a micro wedding can vary. Some people might want to have the smallest possible wedding ceremony and celebration so they can spend more time with the people they care about most. Other people might want to have an intimate ceremony and celebration that is private and personal. Whatever the reason for wanting to have a small-scale wedding, there are many ways to make it happen.
1. Quality over quantity
The biggest thing brides say they would have done differently on their wedding day is to have spent more time with their nearest and dearest. A micro wedding lets you do just that! With fewer people, you can dedicate quality time to each guest. Not only show to your appreciation for them being there for you but also to ensure that you have beautiful memories of your special day.
2. Save money
Fewer guests will usually mean fewer expenses. Instead, your funds can go towards your honeymoon or future house. You won’t have to set as much aside for food, favors, invitations, drinks, and venue space. However, just because your wedding is on a smaller scale doesn’t mean that it won’t be expensive. Some couples choose to have a reduced guest list so that they can spend more on the experience. For example, a destination wedding, a wedding weekend, selecting the venue of your dreams, or having extra money to have your wedding dress specially designed for you.
3. Less stress
It’s no secret that weddings can be stressful. So if you choose a micro wedding, this stress is largely reduced for most aspects of your wedding planning. You’ll have more time to think about unique aspects of your special day, and you’ll have fewer guest issues or questions to think about.
4. Personalization
A smaller wedding means that you can be more creative. Your nuptials and reception can be even more personalized! You can keep all of the traditions you would normally include, such as first looks, cocktail hours, first dances, and photo sessions, but enhance the guest experience. That could be anything from personalized wedding favors and organizing special activities for your guests to having your favorite restaurant do the catering.
Consider Your Vision
Creating a vision for your wedding day is an important step towards ensuring that everything goes smoothly on the big day. It’s also a great way to get yourself excited and to start generating ideas for what you’d like to see at your wedding. When it comes to a micro wedding, there are many different routes that you can take. These include the setting, the theme, the style, the decoration, and the people involved. For example, a reception at your favorite restaurant, a special historic venue, your family home, a rooftop, or even a yacht. You’ll have lots of options when it comes to planning the day of your dreams. A micro-wedding is your chance to really show off your personality and style in an intimate way. Consider how to personalize your big day such as custom decorations, group photos, custom playlists, special toasts, creative favors, and food trucks. Make sure you have a set list of priorities that are non-negotiable for your small celebration.
Narrow Down Your Guest List
If you’re planning a micro wedding the guest list is crucial. It can be tricky to leave out certain people, but remember that this day is all about you. The focus of a micro wedding is having under 30 guests so that you can enjoy an intimate celebration. So consider just your closest friends and family. Some couples choose just their parents, siblings, and best friends to attend. If you’re trying to narrow down your guest list, think about how often you speak to certain people or the last time you saw them. Think about if you’re feeling pressured to invite particular guests, or if there are any negative feelings. You need to feel as comfortable as possible during your nuptials, so make sure both you and your partner are happy. Also, it’s recommended to still send out invitations with a micro wedding. This could be an email invite rather than a traditional paper one if you prefer. It’s a small gesture that your guests will be able to save.
Budget Wisely
If you’re looking at organizing this type of wedding, it’s important to take into account how much money you want to spend and how many people you want to invite. For example, if you want to have an intimate ceremony in a local park with only your closest friends and family, it’s going to cost a lot less than hiring a private room or renting out an entire venue. The advantage of a micro wedding is that your budget can be spent on the things you most enjoy, If that’s a low-key venue with minimal decoration and just focusing on a special meal and quality time, or if you want to use your budget to have a spectacular wedding with luxury details you wouldn’t be able to afford with a larger guest list.
Choose Your Dream Venue
When it comes to venues, you’ll have a lot more choices to host your special day in unique spaces. Explore outdoor venues such as national parks, beaches, or even your backyard. Imagine a sunset ceremony on top of a mountain, a summer evening on a sandy beach looking out to a beautiful ocean view, or an intimate winter ceremony in an enchanting forest. The opportunities are endless!
Ease Stress With A Wedding Planner
Even though it’s a smaller wedding, you still might need a wedding planner. They’ll know how to make your day magical and run smoothly! A wedding planner can take care of many things for a micro wedding that a bride might not have time to do. They can help set up the venue, coordinate all the details, and find the best vendors to suit your style. They can also take care of any last-minute details to minimize any stress. You might have chosen a micro wedding because you don’t have the time or resources to plan a big wedding by yourself, or you’re not sure how to find the least expensive vendors for your style, so here a wedding planner will be essential. This way you can focus on the more important or fun aspects of your special day.
Be Creative With Entertainment
A micro wedding allows you to create a truly personalized guest experience. There are lots of fun and out-of-the-box ways to entertain a small number of guests. It definitely doesn’t have to be simple! For example, hire a live band and get your guests to write down requests beforehand. This way they each get to dance along to their favorite song! Also, a firework display is a great way to impress your guests and round off your special day. Or you could draw inspiration from a special destination to include cultural activities and specialty drinks. If you have a very small guest list you could even hire a mixologist to teach your guests how to make their favorite cocktails!
Special Food & Drinks
This is usually the biggest spend for weddings, so a micro wedding lets you be a lot more flexible. Food and drinks are just as important for intimate weddings and can make your day even more special. You still have the options you would with a large wedding. For example, an elegant and extravagant sit-down meal with several courses. This is popular with smaller weddings as you’ll have more of a budget available to spend on this type of menu and have your guests enjoy your favorite high-end dishes. Or couples choose to go down a more casual route, with a family-style picnic, buffet, or fun food trucks. This keeps things light and relaxed so the focus is on spending time together. It’s useful to plan for extra drinks and some snacks if your wedding is continuing late into the night.
Take In Every Moment
A small wedding is a wonderful way to celebrate the love and commitment between you and your partner. So make sure that you take in every moment of quality time with your friends and family. One big advantage of a micro wedding is that you can be present throughout the day, and embrace the small details. When you’re at the ceremony, you’ll be able to see each and every smile as you walk down the aisle. In fact, you can choose to have everyone involved in certain aspects to feel even more personal. During the reception, you’ll have the opportunity to have meaningful moments with every guest, and give them a day to remember too!
Enjoy a beautifully intimate day with your closest friends and family with our guide for how to plan a micro wedding. For more wedding planning advice head over to WedBoard. You’ll find tips for all aspects of your special day including, Top Tips For A Rainy-Day Wedding, 20 Destination Wedding Locations, and The Most Important Questions To Ask Your Wedding Venue.
Featured image: Beginning and End
