What is a Micro Wedding?
When it comes to your big day, a micro wedding isn’t just a fabulous option, it’s an intimate and creative alternative to a large traditional wedding. Don’t be put off by the words ‘Micro Wedding’. Yes, it is smaller in terms of guest size and length of time, but that doesn’t mean your celebration has to be any less fabulous! A micro wedding gives you so much more freedom in expressing yourselves with an intimate ceremony that reflects who you are as a couple.
A wedding can be stressful and expensive. Many couples joke about just eloping, but instead of ditching the whole celebration, a micro wedding is a wonderful compromise. A micro wedding is a unique celebration that combines the traditions of a full-blown wedding ceremony on a much smaller scale. If you’re hoping for a more personal wedding experience for you and your dearest family and friends, a micro wedding could be just the ticket for you!
Is a Micro Wedding for you? Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros of a Micro Wedding
- Intimacy – a micro wedding allows for you to celebrate with your closest loved ones. It’s a romantic, tight-knit ceremony and celebration that will allow you to interact with everyone you’ve invited for more than the usual 3 to 5 minutes per person at larger weddings.
- Best of both worlds – A micro celebration blends your traditions of choice usually found in a full-sized wedding with several benefits of an elopement. Tasty food, great music, and dancing are still crucial elements of a stellar micro wedding.
- Creativity – with a smaller guest list you can be more creative with your budget.
Cons of a Micro Wedding
- Limited guests – Cutting down your guest list may bring some heartache. If you cannot reduce your guest list, a micro wedding may not be possible.
- Challenges tradition – Honestly, this could go either way! If you are super traditional with dreams of a big wedding- this isn’t the celebration for you.
Things to consider when planning a Micro Wedding –
Budget:
Your first step is to decide on a budget. This will provide the framework for making decisions. Fortunately, micro weddings are budget-flexible! This is your chance to decide what elements are most important to you as a couple and maximize your budget. Perhaps you would opt for a Micro Wedding and save some of that dough for a honeymoon or down payment on your new home? If you will have assistance, perhaps from family, make sure to include this in your total budget.
Wedding Venue:
Once you decided on your budget, your first action is to find a venue. There are many event venues that offer Micro Weddings. You could also opt to arrange a Micro Wedding at a favorite spot, such as where you met or love to go together. Other ideas include museums, historic landmarks, a favorite vacation location, etc.
Guest List:
The signature of a micro wedding is its small guest list. Most micro weddings have an average of 10 to 30 guests. Your bridal party will also be small- or you may opt out of this step altogether.
Officiant:
No wedding is complete without an officiant. You can choose a religious or civil officiant or a friend or family member who is certified to lead your ceremony. You will definitely want to choose someone who will honor your wishes on the type of ceremony that you want.
Music:
Don’t forget about music and dancing! Make sure to include your favorites to create the ambiance you want for the ceremony as well as dancing and mingling at the reception.
Photography:
Photography is always a great place to splurge when budgeting your wedding. These are photos you will look back on for a lifetime! Find a photographer for both your engagement and wedding photos. Forming a relationship with your photographer will make your wedding photographs even better!
Attire:
You want to be at your best and shine on your wedding day! Your wedding attire, hair, and makeup should be as formal or laid-back as you’d like. Make sure to let your guests know what the expected attire is.
Décor:
It’s all in the details! The decor and flower arrangements can totally change the atmosphere of your celebration and make your moment amazingly beautiful. Make certain to choose a venue with beautiful natural surroundings that will be augmented with your décor. Your photographer will love you for this! With fewer centerpieces and florals, you can spend more time or resources on each item if you choose to DIY.
Invitations:
Don’t forget to send save-the-date invitations! This isn’t an elopement after all; a heads-up is still necessary. The save-the-date can be as simple as a phone call or a handwritten note.
Food, Drinks and Desserts:
What are your food and beverage expectations. Are you planning a dessert-only event -or finger foods? Will you serve alcohol or decide on a champagne toast? Traditional wedding cake or another favorite dessert item such as cheesecake or trifles?
Make sure to check with your venue about local alcohol regulations.
Rental Items:
Depending on the venue you choose, you may also need to rent items like tables, chairs, linens and dinnerware, or set up hotel reservations for your wedding party and guests.
To Sum it All Up
Micro weddings are more intimate than traditional large weddings, and so much easier to plan. You can be totally creative in your planning. You have the chance to create a very personal and intimate ceremony that reflects who you are as a couple. One of the biggest benefits of a micro wedding is that you’ll have much more time to spend with all of your guests on the big day. Happy Micro Wedding planning!