How to Pull Off a Micro Wedding: Why Less Really is More

More and more happy couples are proving that your big day can be exactly that, without actually being big. Easy to pull off, micro weddings have emerged as attractive, affordable alternatives to the tradition of inviting hundreds of guests for an expensive stress-fest. As much as money is a consideration when planning a wedding, it is not the only factor. There are plenty of reasons why, when it comes to getting married, less is more.

Reasons To Choose A Micro Wedding

In addition to the affordability of such an event, micro weddings can be more intimate, and they can be better suited to your interests and values as a couple. A micro wedding typically includes between 5 and 20 guests, although some take that number as high as 50. They also include most of the elements of a traditional wedding, but on a smaller scale. Plus, they tend to be far more relaxed and take up less of you and your guests’ time.

Budgeting Bliss

How many couples have started their married lives with a huge amount of debt because they felt pressurized into a big wedding at a fancy venue? The cost of living means that huge matrimonial events are often better left to celebrities and the mega-rich. In 2019, the average cost of a wedding in the USA was $33,900. That is a major amount of money to spend on an event that may not even last a full day. In contrast, more and more venues are offering micro wedding packages for between a few hundred dollars and $2000 for the couple. In some cases, the cost of the package includes costing for several guests. In others, you may need to pay about $100 or so extra per guest. Either way, having fewer guests means spending less money on food, drink and entertainment at your wedding. It also gives you the freedom to spend your wedding budget on the things that really matter to you.

Less Stress

There’s no getting away from the fact that a wedding day will always involve some level of stress for the bride and groom. However, a micro wedding can mean significantly less tension because there’s less to worry about. From RSVPs to seating arrangements, and from catering to the choice of venue, small-scale weddings are generally much easier to manage. Less time spent running around checking that everything is going according to plan means that you can relax, enjoy yourself and savour every moment of your special day.

The Personal Touch

Whether you choose to have a traditional religious service in a place of worship or go for something entirely out of the box, micro weddings lend themselves to personalization. As well as being able to add a personal touch that large wedding packages often don’t allow, micro weddings offer a more personal experience for you and your guests. Large events are ultimately impersonal, but a wedding on a micro-scale means you can spend quality time with a few guests who really matter.

What To Consider

Right, you’ve decided to have a micro wedding. Now what? There are a few things to consider if you want to pull one off in a way that is worthy of the love and commitment you will be celebrating.

The Guest List

The guest list should be one of the first things you consider. Work on a maximum of 20 guests and choose the people that you really want to be there. A teeny, tiny wedding is not the place for all those extended family members that you never actually speak to or see. That said, if you cannot limit your guest list to 20, you could possibly get away with pushing that number up to 50. This is especially true if you know there are some guests who may not be able to make it, but would appreciate the invite.

Prioritize What You Want

A micro wedding can be the perfect opportunity to have the big day of your dreams, even if it is on a much smaller scale. For this reason, you and your partner should prioritize what you want. Those priorities can include clothing, décor, venue, the cake and the food, and even the entertainment, photographer and honeymoon. The lower costs involved in a micro event mean your budget may stretch to include the things that a big wedding could not. For example, you could spend more on catering per guest, which means quality over quantity, or you could book a phenomenal photographer who would otherwise be out of your budget. You can also choose to save on the wedding costs and splash out on an exotic honeymoon, especially if you and your partner are passionate about traveling.

The Perfect Venue

Regardless of the size of a wedding, one of the most important considerations is the choice of venue. It needs to be accessible, accommodating, and affordable. It just so happens that, with a micro wedding, the number of venues from which to choose increases. While some wedding venues offer micro packages, you also find venues that aren’t open to larger events but they will welcome smaller ones. That said, it is important to choose a venue that is relative to the size of your event. You don’t want to feel adrift in a huge space, or have to fill large areas with décor to avoid them looking empty.

Wedding Planners Or DIY?

Another consideration for micro weddings is whether to involve a wedding planner or to do it yourself. A planner who has experience in arranging such events is a valuable source of advice and contacts. However, if you really want a personalized event, you can involve a few trusted, creative friends (preferably people who are on your guest list). Depending on their talents, you could see truly unique décor, food, entertainment, and other elements that will not only wow you but your guests as well. If one of your friends has a talent for dressmaking, you and your partner could even have the outfits of your dreams. As you can see, when it comes to weddings, big doesn’t necessarily mean better. A micro wedding could be the perfect option if you’re looking to create the ultimate intimate, memorable occasion. Contributed by Bibi Lauri Raven, Truly Experiences, bibi@trulyexperiences.com, www.trulyexperiences.com