Over the years, the society especially the marriage industry has undergone a transformation. Increased cases of remote weddings, and therefore smaller and more private ceremonies, are also being reported. Say hello to the micro wedding – a petite version of the regular wedding that is packed with character but not with pressure. Let us move to this trend and see why this might just be the best decision you can make for your wedding.
What is a Micro-Weddings?
Micro wedding can be described as a wedding that involves less than 50 people. It’s not quite the running away, but it is definitely a much smaller scale than a wedding. Just imagine it to be somewhere in between eloping to the courthouse and planning a 200-person celebration.
Micro-Weddings vs. Traditional Wedding
Here's a quick comparison:
| Aspect | Micro Wedding | Traditional Wedding |
|---|---|---|
| Guest count | Usually 50 or fewer | Often 100+ |
| Venue | Flexible (restaurant, backyard, etc.) | Typically larger venues |
| Cost | Generally lower | Often higher |
| Planning time | Can be shorter | Usually longer |
| Formality | Flexible | Often more formal |
Why Consider a Micro Wedding?
1. Intimate Atmosphere
This means that with fewer people you have to manage and cater for, you can really spend quality time with the people you most want to spend time with. No need to strike up a conversation with your third cousin, twice removed!
2. Budget-Friendly
Here is the truth; weddings can be expensive. With a micro wedding, you can achieve your dream wedding while at the same time minimizing on the cost that you have set aside for the big day. It may also work out cheaper as you can probably indulge in some luxuries that you would not be able to do with a bigger group of people.
3. Flexibility in Venue Choice
When you have fewer guests, more options of venues are available to you especially if you want to hold your wedding inside a certain establishment. It can be a small nice restaurant, a beautiful beach or even your own garden to host a micro wedding.
4. Less Stress
Smaller number of guests may mean that there is not much to plan for. You might not even need a wedding planner, although they can be useful even for micro weddings.
How to Plan a Micro Wedding
1. Craft Your Guest List
This is where the planning process of a micro wedding really comes into play and this is probably the most important step. Only go out for groceries, and only spend time with the household, and your closest friends and family. You can be quite picky!
2. Pick a Venue
Think outside the box! The concept of a micro wedding allows you to get married in splendid locations that may be out of the question for more extensive celebrations.
3. Focus on the Experience
When there are fewer people in the guest list, the event becomes more intimate and you can make it more special. Think about aspects or details that might not work well with a large number of people.
4. Don't Skimp on the Essentials
Despite the size, one should not neglect the basics. You'll still want to consider:
- To act as the ceremony master.
- Someone to take the pictures so that I can have them to look back on.
- Entertainment that’ll add to the mood of the hall and of course, for the first dance.
- Even a tiny wedding cake will has to be made
- Flowers for the atmosphere
5. Communicate Clearly
Do not keep the information about your decision to have a micro wedding a secret from friends and family. Some people may feel offended for not being invited, but majority of the people will not.
Micro Wedding Ideas
- Destination Micro Wedding: Think of getting married in the most wonderful place that one could imagine. Since the guest list is quite small, it is quite possible.
- Gourmet Experience: Take your guests to a restaurant and have a meal that may span several course.
- Adventure Wedding: What if instead of standing in a church or a wedding venue, you can say your vows while in the middle of a Colorado hike?
- Backyard Bliss: For your dream wedding, all you need to do is to transform your space and turn it into a wedding venue.
- Beach Ceremony: A small group is ideal for a more close knit wedding especially if it is to take place on the beach.
The Difference Between a Micro Wedding and an Elopement
While both are small, intimate affairs, there are some key differences:
- An elopement is when the couple flees and gets married without telling anyone, and it could be just the two love birds and a few others as witnesses.
- Micro weddings also have a guest list, although it is a short one.
- Elopements are less planned while micro weddings can be planned to a certain extent.
FAQ
What is a micro-wedding?
A micro wedding is a kind of wedding that is a small version of large wedding we witness in general. It is normally a complete wedding with all the right aspects of a wedding but in a rather mini form.
What size is a micro wedding?
Micro weddings are defined as those that have between 10 to 50 guests. This therefore enables the couple to have a close and personal wedding while at the same time having all the aspects of a formal wedding.
How many guests is a micro wedding?
Micro weddings have 50 or fewer guests on average. The sizes can also vary from as little as 10-20 people.
Is 50 guests a small wedding?
Yes, 50 guests is rather a small number for a wedding, so this can be classified as a small wedding. It’s just at the edge of what is generally referred to as a micro wedding.
Benefits and Considerations
Are micro weddings worth it?
Many people find that micro weddings are indeed worth it. They offer several benefits:
- More intimate atmosphere
- Lower costs
- Flexibility in venue choices
- Less stress in planning
- Increase in time spent with the guests.
What are the benefits of hosting a micro wedding?
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost-effective | Smaller guest list means lower overall expenses |
| Intimate atmosphere | More meaningful interactions with guests |
| Flexibility | More options for venues and customization |
| Less stress | Easier to plan and manage |
| Quality over quantity | Focus on what matters most to you |
What are the disadvantages of a small wedding?
While micro weddings have many advantages, there are a few potential drawbacks:
- Fewer people on your guest list can be a let down to some of your friends or family members.
- Less number of people to celebrate with you
- May not incorporate some of the aspects of the traditional wedding because of space issues
- Comparatively may not be as lively as other celebrations that are done on a large scale.
Is it okay to have a micro wedding?
Absolutely! It is your big day; thus, it should be as you desire it to be. Due to the current circumstances, several couples have preferred micro weddings since they get to celebrate love in a manner of their choosing.
Planning and Budgeting
What is a good budget for a micro wedding?
For a micro wedding, a good budget will be between $5000 to $30000 depending on your choices and area. However, just because you have fewer guests does not mean that the expenses will be low if you include luxurious options.
How much does a micro wedding cost?
It is not easy to set a general cost for a micro wedding since the costs can be influenced by certain aspects such as the place and services that are hired. The costs can range from $5,000 to $30,000 on average for a couple.
What vendors do you need for a microwedding?
Essential vendors for a micro wedding often include:
- Officiant
- Photographer
- Florist
- Caterer
- Baker (for the wedding cake)
- Musicians or DJ
- Hair and makeup artist
How do I choose the right officiant?
To choose the right officiant:To choose the right officiant:
- Know the kind of ceremony you want; whether it is religious, civil or any other type.
- Check for local officiants and read what others have to say about them.
- Schedule a meeting with the possible officiants to explain your idea
- I double check they are legal to perform a wedding in the state you reside in
- Choose someone that you can talk to and be yourself around, the person that makes u feel relaxed.
Micro Wedding Details
What happens at a micro wedding?
A micro wedding typically includes:
- Ceremony
- Reception with meal
- Toasts and speeches
- First dance
- Cake cutting
- Elements that are usually not compulsory may include the bouquet toss or games
How long does a micro wedding last?
Micro weddings typically range between 3-5 hours, however, they can be as short or as long as you would like. Couples choose from a very simple wedding where they only have a ceremony and a meal to a longer celebration that goes on until night.
What does a micro-wedding ceremony look like?
Micro wedding ceremony is a mini version of the normal wedding ceremony but performed with fewer people. It may include:
- Walking down the aisle
- Exchange of vows
- Ring exchange
- A kissing moment of a newlywed couple.
- Readings or musical performances
Do you need to have all your family at the wedding or just the immediate family?
For a micro wedding it is quite appropriate to invite only the bride and groom’s family, as well as several close friends. However, guests are fully up to you hence you can invite as many or as few as you wish. Some couples get their close friends and relatives involved, while others stick to parents and their siblings.
Comparing Wedding Types
What is the difference between a micro wedding and an intimate wedding?
The terms micro wedding and intimate wedding are used interchangeably quite often. Both are types of small weddings but a micro wedding has a more strict number of guests (less than 50), while an intimate wedding can have a bit more guests than a micro wedding.
How is a microwedding different from elopement?
| Micro Wedding | Elopement |
|---|---|
| Usually 10-50 guests | Often just the couple, or very few guests (less than 10) |
| Planned in advance | Can be spontaneous |
| Includes traditional wedding elements | May skip many traditional elements |
| Often held at a venue | Can be held anywhere |
What's the difference between a micro wedding, minimony & elopement?
- Micro wedding: 50 persons or less, includes some aspects of a traditional wedding.
- Minimony: Religious wedding service, with few guests (especially lately due to COVID-19) with the idea of having a big and fancy wedding in the future.
- Elopement: It is often only the couple or with very few people, sometimes the wedding is conducted without invitation or very secretly.
Venue and Inspiration
Where can I find a venue for my intimate wedding?
Consider these options for your intimate wedding venue:
- Private rooms in restaurants.
- Boutique hotels
- Art galleries or museums
- Parks or gardens
- Vacation rentals or Airbnbs
- Wineries or breweries
- Some of the accommodation may include Historic homes or bed and breakfasts.
Where can I find more inspiration for my micro wedding?
For micro wedding inspiration, try:
- Blogs and websites that are dedicated to the theme of wedding include those that are about small weddings.
- There are specially created Pinterest boards that are entirely devoted to the intimate weddings.
- Popular trends such as the use of hashtags such as #microwedding or #intimatewedding on Instagram.
- Real life small weddings as seen in wedding magazines
- Small business owners in the area who offer services for small weddings
Final Thoughts
Mini weddings are an opportunity to have a wedding that feels right for the both of you. They enable people to be innovative, close, and, most of the time, less materialistic. From having fewer number of guests, finding a different kind of venue, or merely opting for a more relaxed coordination, then opting for a micro wedding may just be ideal for you.
Just a reminder that there is no correct method of getting married, no strict procedure. The most important thing is that your wedding day should be like you both and should represent you as a couple. Hence, regardless of opting for micro or macro approach ensure that it is something you can passionately do. Anyways, it is your love story and you have every right to tell it as you wish.