The Vernacular, Emotions + Math
The format of a small, intimate wedding with just your closest family and friends has become more popular in recent years. We've teamed up with some of the industry's top professionals to explore the benefits and challenges of micro-weddings and share helpful tips on how to plan one so your special day turns out exactly as you’ve imagined.
Allegory Events, Eerrie
Photos by Jess Withey, Yuliya Mark
What is a Micro-Wedding?
The name speaks for itself! A micro-wedding is an intimate alternative to a traditional wedding celebration. With a small guest list of less than 50, it brings together a close-knit circle of friends and family, creating an atmosphere of a cozy dinner gathering. This format is ideal for couples who desire a more personal, ambient celebration with a focus on bonding, detail and unique experiences. It's the perfect choice for introverted lovers, and those inspired by unconventional ideas and innovative, going-beyond-classic approaches.
But it's important to remember that even though micro-weddings are on a smaller scale, they still require just as much careful planning as large, elaborate events, and involve a full team of vendors.
What is a Minimony?
A modern twist on a traditional ceremony, a minimony typically involves just the couple and a few close family members or friends. This approach especially gained popularity during the pandemic when lovers wanted to legally marry but, unfortunately, had to scale down their celebrations due to restrictions on gatherings. The trend, however, continues with some couples choosing to hold a minimony as their private ceremony, followed by a larger reception or party later.
All Things Beautiful, Sassafras Wedding
Photos by La Dichosa, Ash Haase
Micro-Wedding vs Elopement
Some couples find it a bit confusing to tell the difference between a micro-wedding and an elopement since both are intimate and small. So, where's the line?
“A micro-wedding typically includes a small group of close family and friends, often ranging from 20 to 50 guests, while an elopement generally involves just the couple and a few witnesses,” explains Anastasia Aslanyan, the founder of Happy Moments Collector. “The key difference is the inclusion of a more structured event with traditional elements in a micro-wedding, versus the often spontaneous and intimate nature of an elopement.”
Photographer Joy Zamora emphasizes how micro-weddings offer a deeper human connection and open up more creative possibilities. “For me, elopements lack one thing from micro-weddings. The support of family and/or friends. I know that the very concept of the elopement is precisely that, but the human component is important and is very noticeable,” he says. “As a photographer, there are many more creative possibilities in a micro-wedding. Because there are simply more things happening and more interactions going on at the same time. You can still have a small ceremony, group photos, a small party, and not all the pressure is on the couple.”
Joy Zamora,
Cecilia Alvarez-Hevia Arias, Dias de Vino y Rosas
The Pros
When you're figuring out the best wedding format for you, it's important to look at all the nuances and consider all the pros and cons. There are some great advantages to hosting a micro-wedding, such as:
Pro: Less Pressure
Planning a wedding, no matter the size, is a big task that takes a lot of time, patience and responsibility. And it’s absolutely normal to feel a bit stressed as you try to meet expectations and bring your vision to life. But with a micro-wedding, things can feel a lot more manageable. Fewer guests usually mean fewer logistics, less coordination and less pressure to please a large crowd, which makes the planning process smoother and more relaxed. “A micro-wedding is about celebrating like your favorite dinner party. There are no rules,” say the team of The Lynden Lane Co.
Pro: Intimate Atmosphere
The beauty of a micro-wedding is its intimate, very private and even homely atmosphere. The couple gets to share their most precious moments with an extremely close group of people. It gives more space to focus on each other and allows for more meaningful, personal interaction with each guest, making them feel loved, cared for and appreciated.
Cecilia Alvarez-Hevia Arias, Dias de Vino y Rosas,
Valentina Pozo
Pro: More Flexible & Cost-Effective
Micro-weddings often allow for greater flexibility in terms of venue choice, date, and overall planning. “A micro-wedding also enables you to invest in high-quality, chic details and elevated aesthetics, creating a memorable event without the scale of a larger wedding,” share Natalie Laskowski and Chelsea Wenner, the co-founders of Kiran + Leigh. Indeed, with a smaller guest list, the couple can allocate more of their budget to even better catering, decor, and other details, or simply save up for their honeymoon vacation or other needs.
The founder of Sassafras Wedding, Jess Gale, notes that micro-weddings allow couples to direct a good portion of their styling budget in particularly meaningful ways — towards an epic floral backdrop, rather than spending big on lots of table centers for a large reception for hundreds of people. "Or you can really go to town on thoughtfully curated, luxurious table florals for one long shared table if the micro-reception is where you want to focus your attention," she adds.
Pro: More Eco-Friendly
Since micro-weddings are smaller compared to traditional weddings, it’s easier to be intentional about the details of your celebration. For example, the couple can choose sustainable or reusable materials for decor and invitations. In addition, smaller weddings allow for more custom and locally sourced options for catering, flowers, and other elements, which can be more sustainable than mass-produced alternatives.
Joaquín Reixa, Paloma Events
Photos by Ochoeme, Matt Godkin
The Cons
While micro-weddings do offer quite a good list of benefits, they also come with their own set of potential downsides.
Con: Limited Guest List
Unfortunately, having a micro-wedding is also about making some tough choices. Since it’s a small celebration, you'll have to be thoughtful and very selective about who to invite, meaning leaving out some friends and extended family members. "A potential downside of a micro-wedding is the challenge of narrowing down the guest list, which can lead to difficult decisions and possibly hurt feelings," points out Anastasia Aslanyan.
Con: Might Be Not as Lively
Don't get us wrong, we love the intimacy of micro-weddings, but they may also lack some of the energy and excitement of a large event. Just imagine having all your favorite people coming together to celebrate you, your love, and your story! "Bigger can be better", says The Lynden Lane Co. "If you are looking for the celebration of a lifetime, what better way than to dance the night away with all of your family and friends."
Claudia Llagostera , Kiran + Leigh
Photos by Pipi Hormaechea, Cinzia Bruschini
Con: Vendor Limitations
It might be a bit upsetting when you find out that some of your favorite vendors don’t do micro-weddings. Even though smaller weddings are becoming increasingly popular, not all vendors offer packages or services tailored for them. Keep in mind that some planners, caterers, or photographers might have minimum requirements that could make things challenging for a more intimate event.
Con: More Noticeable Guest Absence
The flip side of a micro-wedding is that with fewer guests, it can be more noticeable if someone doesn’t make it to the celebration. Whether it's a sudden change of plans or unexpected personal issues, the absence of a few guests can stand out more in an intimate setting.
Average Size & Cost
Micro-weddings typically have fewer than 50 guests, though there isn't a strict number that defines them. Similarly, there aren't specific figures for costs, as it can vary widely from couple to couple. "There are no average costs of any wedding anywhere, no matter the destination, no matter the size, no matter the duration," Frances Wynne of Allegory Events explains. "It all entirely depends on what the couple wants, and what their expectations are. So many factors - the country, the date, the number of days of celebration, the venue, the number of guests, the choice of activities, the level of bespoke elements, how many suppliers they want involved, and the budget comfort level all contribute to the overall cost, making an average cost challenging to calculate."
Guest List
Choosing who makes the guest list and who doesn’t can be difficult. When planning a micro-wedding, couples have to be particularly selective. Magdalena Żywicka, the founder of All Things Beautiful suggests focusing on the closest circle of people. "Keep it in the family - be that your family or origin, or your chosen family. Ask yourself this: When you got engaged, who did you call first? Who you couldn’t wait to share the news with? The first people you shared the news with (be that your family or closest friends) are exactly who you should invite."
Joy Zamora recommends: “Consider who can revitalize a party and who you would trust if you need help at any time. A mix of lifelong friends, those family members you can't miss and any guests that will make you feel unique."
The Lynden Lane Co, Aisha Potter
Left Photo Abigail Lewis
Planning
Planning a micro-wedding isn’t much different than planning a traditional celebration: couples have to decide on the style and vision, set a comfortable budget, date, book the venue and hire the dream team. “When planning a micro-wedding, consider weekdays or off-peak seasons to secure better rates and availability for venues and vendors. Begin planning early to ensure that your preferred date, location, and key services are available, and focus on creating a detailed timeline to keep the day running smoothly,” highlights Anastasia Aslanyan.
“Smaller scale weddings give you the opportunity to be completely flexible with your timings for the day”, says Brooke Lean, the creative force behind Paloma Events. “We love the idea of hosting a long lunch reception, or a later ceremony whilst the sun sets. Consider sentimental touches like hand-written notes or personalized styling elements to show your true appreciation for everyone who attends your special day.”
Anupong Hotrawaisaya, Fritillerie
Venue Ideas
Micro-weddings allow for greater creativity in choosing your venue, making almost any location a potential spot for your celebration. “A private villa with jaw-dropping interior design and epic sea views on a small Greek island? Yes, please. An intimate wedding reception at an art gallery, or a museum, the likes of Rodin museum in Paris, or Mies Van Der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona? A 100 guest wedding could never. Private yacht or a stunning family estate no outsiders have access to? When inviting only the closest, most trusted circle the venue possibilities are near to endless,” shares Magdalena Żywicka.
Entertainment Ideas
Micro-weddings are all about creating unique and personal experiences where every guest feels involved and has a great time. You could have an interactive cooking class with a private chef, a cozy outdoor screening of your and your partner's favorite movie, or even show a pre-filmed documentary about your love story. Another great idea is to invite a professional live painter to capture on canvas some of the most magical moments of your celebration in real-time.
