Micro-weddings, minimonies, and elopements are gaining popularity among couples who are still planning to get married in the midst of the pandemic. These smaller-scale weddings are ideal for so many reasons. Not only is it a great way to bring down wedding costs, but it’s also recommended during this particular time since a smaller guest list lessens the spread of disease. If you still want to have your big day despite everything that’s going on with the world at the moment, this handy guide will show you how to do just that.
What is a micro-wedding?
A micro-wedding is a wedding with less than 20 attendees, including the bride and the groom. It’s a much more relaxed, affordable, and brief celebration compared to a traditional wedding ceremony. In certain states at the moment, social gatherings are restricted to less than 15 people, so this type of intimate set-up may actually be necessary.
Micro-weddings are different from small weddings, minimonies, and elopements. As a general rule, small weddings usually invite between 20 and 60 guests, while micro-weddings are much smaller than this, with most guest lists capped off with fewer than 20 guests. On the other hand, elopements are performed secretly, with only the couple and two other witnesses in attendance.
Minimonies are for couples who already planned their weddings, but had to postpone the ceremony due to the pandemic. In lieu of an in-person celebration, a small group of attendees (usually limited to the parents and siblings of the couple) will witness a pared-down ceremony on the original wedding day, while other guests tune in via livestream or wait for a same-day edit wedding video.
Should you opt for a micro-wedding?
A micro-wedding may be appropriate for you if any of the following factors apply to your situation:
- You want to lower costs. This is a great way to cut down on typical wedding expenses since you’ll only be inviting a limited number of guests. It’ll give you an opportunity to allocate more money towards something you value more than the wedding ceremony itself, such as a custom wedding dress from a high-end bridal shop or your honeymoon.
- You want a more intimate ceremony. If you aren’t interested in having your extended family there, it’s better to save your money by restricting your guest list to the people who are nearest and dearest to you. This gives you the space to have more meaningful quality time with each guest, as well as less pressure during the ceremony proper.
- You want to have a destination wedding. Not everyone can afford to attend a destination wedding. If you’ll be having your ceremony in a location far from where most of your guests live, then you may want to narrow your guest list down to the people you’re certain can be there.
How do you plan a micro-wedding?
Here are the first few steps you need to take to get your micro-wedding planning started.
- Cut down the guest list. The most important thing to do when planning a micro-wedding is to scale down the guest list to less than 20 attendees. A good rule of thumb is to only include immediate family members and close friends. When it comes to plus ones, you could either only allow it if you know the extra person attending, or you could also not allow any plus-ones at all. Keeping the guest list small is much easier to do this during this particular period of time since many guests will understand the need for fewer people in a social gathering.
- Finalize your budget. You can plan a micro-wedding for as low as $2000 if you’re particularly savvy, but it all depends on what you want to prioritize. A simple budget should include the cost of:
- Photography and videography
- Decorations
- Catering
- Invitations
- Officiant fee
- Wedding attire
- Entertainment
- Venue rental fee
- Wedding planner
- Book the wedding venue. One of the most significant benefits of a micro-wedding is the variety of wedding venues available. You don’t need to book a traditional church or event space. This is the perfect opportunity to get creative since a smaller guest list means you can book more non-traditional venues such as a campsite, a planetarium, or a museum.
- Hire your vendors. Depending on your preferences and non-negotiables, you might be booking fewer vendors for a micro-wedding compared to a traditional wedding. However, the key vendors you must hire or pay for include your wedding attire designer, an officiant, a photographer, catering services, a wedding planner, a stylist, the wedding venue, and a cake designer.
Micro-weddings aren’t just ideal for this current period in time. They’re also perfect for couples who are looking to save money or plan a more intimate affair.
