The Ultimate Guide to planning a Micro Wedding

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In recent years, a micro wedding have emerged as a popular alternative to traditional large-scale weddings. These beautiful intimate celebrations,  offer a unique opportunity for couples to create a deeply personal and memorable day.

By focusing on quality over quantity, micro weddings allow for greater flexibility, creativity, and meaningful connections with your loved ones. Whether you’re drawn to the idea of a more budget-friendly option or simply want to avoid the stress of a big wedding, planning a micro wedding can be a delightful experience. Here are ten key considerations to help you plan a perfect micro wedding that reflects your unique love story.

What is a micro wedding?

A micro wedding is a small, intimate wedding ceremony and reception that typically involves a guest list of around 20 to 50 people, though some definitions may include slightly more guests.

This type of wedding allows couples to focus on the most important aspects of their special day while celebrating with their closest friends and family. 

Why might a couple want a micro wedding?

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1. They can be more affordable than larger weddings

Getting married these days can also come with insane costs. Whilst Micro weddings aren’t always less expensive just because they’re smaller, they can be done on a budget. With fewer guests, the overall cost of the wedding significantly decreases, this includes savings on food and drink, venue, wedding favors, gifts and any other elements of a wedding that typically increase with the number of guests. 

2. They can be more personal 

Micro-weddings allow for way more flexibility than a big wedding, which is a popular choice for couples who don’t want a traditional wedding, for couples who want to add their own unique touches to their special day.

You don’t need to follow strict timelines, stiff traditional elements or boring formalities.

This allows you to determine exactly what you want your wedding day to be like. It also means you can add more personal touches for your guests because you’ve only invited your closest friends and family, rather than your second cousin who you haven’t seen in 10 years. Plus it’s great for couples who die with the thought of being the center of attention all day. 

3. You can spend more time with your close friends and family 

Lots of couples opt for a micro wedding so that they can spend more time with their guests. As a big part of most wedding days involves greeting all your guests and making sure you have time to chat to them all, which some couples can find overwhelming.

Whereas, a smaller guest list means couples can spend more quality time with each guest, making the celebration feel more personal and meaningful. 

3. The planning can be less stressful 

Any type of wedding planning can put a couple under pressure, however planning a smaller wedding involves fewer logistical challenges than a conventional wedding.

This makes the entire planning process more manageable and less stressful.

For example, there will be a lot less for you to think about – fewer food requirements, fewer invitations, fewer wedding favours, fewer table settings. 

Also with a smaller scale guest list, couples have more flexibility in choosing unique venues and creative setups that might not be possible for a large wedding. 

4. Enhanced Quality for guests 

Couples can invest in higher-quality services and experiences, such as hiring top-notch vendors, opting for exquisite decor, or arranging special entertainment that would be cost-prohibitive for a larger wedding.

Also, the intimate setting allows for more meaningful interactions and memorable moments with each guest, creating a truly special and unforgettable day for everyone involved.

Now we’ve looked at the benefits of a micro wedding, lets delve into the planning !

The Ultimate Guide to Planning A Micro Wedding

Now let’s look at the 10 things we need to consider when planning a micro wedding:

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1. Guest List

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Lots of couples will agree that the guest list can be one of the most stressful parts of planning a wedding (no matter the size). Moreover, there may be a few (or many) people in your life who have strong views on who should and shouldn’t be invited, and this can be hard to navigate.

So here are some tips on how to choose who to invite and how to handle potential sensitivities around not inviting everyone.

1) Firstly, start by deciding the number of people you want there, micro weddings tend to have under 50 guests. 

2) Then create a list of people you couldn’t imagine getting married without. These are your definite guests. 

3) See what number that comes to, and work out how many people you have left to invite after that. 

Here are some questions to ask yourself when choosing your guests : 

1. How often do I see or speak to this person? 

2. How well do they know me and my partner? 

3. Are they a positive part of my life? 

4. Would I be happy to buy them dinner on a normal day?

5. Am I inviting them because I want them there or because I’ll feel guilty if I don’t? 

​Because micro weddings have a reduced guest list, you’ll need to make a decision on whether kids are invited or not. Some people decide no kids, and some decide only immediate family kids. 

2. Budget

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Let’s talk budgets. The wedding budget you set will determine the choices you can make for the rest of your wedding, so it’s really important to have this in the front of your mind at all times. 

​Costs to consider 

• The Ceremony (officiant &  Marriage License fees) 
• The Venue 
• Food and Drink 
• Flower and Decor 
• Hair and Makeup 
• Music and Entertainment 
• Photographer and Videographer 
• Outfits
• Transport 
• Rings 
• Favors
• Wedding Insurance 

Tips for budgeting: 

1. Decide what you can afford – how much money do you have available, how much are you willing to spend? How much do you need to reserve in case of emergencies or other life events? 

​2. Start a separate savings account for your wedding money, this will make it easier not to dip into. 

3. Look at how much you can save each month – consider your income and then how much you spend on your : mortgage, bills, groceries, transport etc. Then, whatever you have leftover is the amount you can save each month. Then you can work out how long it will take to save the amount you need for the wedding. 

4. Take into account contributions – whether any family members have offered to contribute towards the wedding costs. 

3. Venue

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It’s quite common for the wedding venue to take up a large proportion of your budget, sometimes it can be up to 50% of the couples total budget.

However, the good thing about micro weddings is that you don’t always need a traditional wedding venue, which can lower the costs and also open up a range of cool, unique venue options. So, here are some suggestions for you … 

​Venue ideas for micro weddings: 

• Your favourite restaurant 
• Rooftop Bar 
• An Airbnb House
• City Hall 
• A Villa 
• Your own backyard 
• National Park 
• Private room at a winery 
• Boutique Hotels 

If you’re looking for more unique venue ideas for micro weddings check out this article 

4. Personalization

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Why lots of couples opt for a small wedding is because it creates a more intimate celebration with your closet friends and family. With fewer people you can really get creative and personal with aspects of your wedding because you have a special connection with each one of guests. 

Here are some ways you can personalise your micro wedding to create a unique experience for your guests: 

1. Customised vows – Write your own vows to express your feelings and commitment in your own words. This adds a deeply personal element to the ceremony that your guests will remember. Also, here is a really helpful article for writing your own vows. 

2. Personalised wedding favors – Offer wedding favors that reflect your interests or love story as a couple, such as custom-made candles, personalized mini bottles of your favorite drink, or handmade items. You can find a host of unique wedding favor ideas here. 

3. Custom Decor – Incorporate decor that tells your story or showcases your hobbies, like travel-themed decorations, photos from your adventures together, or items related to a shared passion.

4, Tailored Menu – Serve a menu that includes your favorite dishes, family recipes, or cuisine from a place that’s special to you. Or consider a tasting menu or food stations to give guests a variety of experiences.

5. Special Ceremony Rituals – Incorporate rituals that are meaningful to you, such as a unity candle, handfasting, or a cultural tradition from your heritage.

6. Custom Wedding Attire – Add personal touches to your wedding attire, such as a custom-made gown, a suit with special lining, or accessories that have sentimental value.

7. Special Entertainment –  Arrange entertainment that reflects your personalities, such as a live band playing your favorite genre, a dance performance, a magician, or even a petting zoo if you love animals.

5. Ceremony and Reception

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Planning a micro wedding allows for a more intimate and personalized wedding ceremony and reception. It also means that you don’t have to stick to traditional timelines or orders of events, it’s completely up to you.

However, here are some snippets of advice for creating a memorable wedding ceremony and reception: 

1. Personalize the ceremony with custom vows, involve loved ones in special rituals, and incorporate cultural traditions. 

2. At the reception, opt for creative dining options like family-style meals or interactive food stations

3. Use personalized decor that reflects your relationship. 

4. Thoughtful seating arrangements and interactive entertainment, such as live music or games, will keep guests engaged. 

5. Finally, plan a unique send-off, such as a sparkler exit, to end the evening on a high note and ensure each guest feels appreciated and connected to your special day.

6. Catering

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Having a lower guest count at your wedding opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to your food and drink. Food can really elevate the quality of your wedding, everyone always remembers a really good or really bad meal!

By having fewer guests, some couples may opt to put more of their budget towards better quality food or more expensive cuisine. Or if you have a smaller budget, you could just save money by having less guests!   

Also with a smaller guest count you have way more opportunity to go outside of the box with your food; order a pizza van, go to your favourite restaurant where guests can choose their own meal, or opt for an intimate dinner! The options are endless. 

7. Photography and Videography

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It’s always great to have a memento to remember your special day, whether thats a photographer, videographer or both!

Although the price of your photographer or videographer won’t change depending on the number of guests you have, there are some ways to make sure the photographer captures  the intimacy of a micro wedding. 

You’ll find some great micro wedding shot ideas here

8. Entertainment

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Whilst you’ll have fewer people to keep occupied at a micro wedding, you’ll still need entertainment to keep the guests on top form.

However, will a smaller party you don’t necessarily need a large band or extravagant entertainment. In fact, you don’t even need to do a first dance (some couples idea of hell). 

Here are some cool entertainment ideas for your micro wedding: 

1. Live Acoustic Music

• Soloists or Small Bands: Hire solo musicians or small acoustic bands to create a warm and intimate atmosphere.
• Personal Touch: Choose musicians who can play your favorite songs or meaningful tunes that reflect your relationship.

2. Interactive Games

• Lawn Games: Set up lawn games like cornhole, giant Jenga, or bocce ball for outdoor fun.
• Tabletop Games: Provide board games or card games that guests can enjoy during the reception.

3. Photo Booth or DIY Polaroid Station

• Photo Booth: Rent a photo booth with fun props for guests to capture memorable moments.
• Polaroid Station: Set up a DIY Polaroid station with Polaroid cameras and an album where guests can leave their photos and messages.

9. Attire

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The best part of a micro wedding is there are no rules compared to large traditional weddings! And that doesn’t stop at attire. Whether you want a traditional white gown or a bespoke pink mini dress, the world is your oyster. If you want your wedding to be themed, tell your guests to all come in the theme! If you want no dress code, tell your guests no dress code! 

10. Wedding Insurance 

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No matter the size of your wedding, you always need to make sure you have wedding insurance. You might question the necessity of wedding insurance, but it provides peace of mind and can prevent substantial financial loss if something goes wrong.

Wedding insurance covers unforeseen events such as illness or venue issues. Also, you can use price comparison sites to evaluate the cost and coverage of different policies. When you’re ready to buy, check if your chosen insurer is listed on cashback sites to potentially save some money.

FAQ – Micro Weddings

1) How much do micro weddings cost? 

Unfortunately you can’t put a price point on a micro wedding, it depends completely on the couple and how much they are willing to spend. However, a micro wedding can be cheaper than larger weddings as there are less guests to cater for. 

2) Are micro weddings awkward 

It’s only as awkward as you make it! But, there is no reason for a micro wedding to be awkward. In fact, sometimes guests say a micro wedding is less awkward than a large wedding as most of the guests know each other so there’s less awkward small talk! 

3) What is considered a micro wedding 

Under 50 guests. 

4) What’s the difference between a macro and micro wedding? 

A macro wedding involves a large number of guests, usually over 100. Whereas, a micro wedding is a smaller affair with under 50 guests. 

5) Elopement vs micro wedding?

The biggest difference between a micro weddings and elopement is that micro weddings involve a small group of invited guests and are planned similarly to traditional weddings, but on a smaller scale. Whereas, elopements are usually spontaneous and involve just the couple getting married without guests

6) What are the benefits of having a micro wedding?

Typically, micro weddings are often more affordable, less stressful to plan, and allow for more personalization. They also provide a more intimate atmosphere where couples can spend quality time with each guest.

7) Where can I have a micro wedding?

Micro weddings can be held in a variety of venues, including private homes, gardens, boutique hotels, restaurants with private dining areas, or scenic outdoor locations. However, the choice often depends on the couple’s preferences and the size of their guest list.

8) How do I decide who to invite to my micro wedding?

When creating a guest list for a micro wedding, consider inviting close family members, best friends, and those who have played significant roles in your lives. Keep in mind the intimacy of the event and the desire to share the day with those who matter most.

9) How can I personalize my micro wedding?

Personalization options for microweddings are plentiful and can include writing your own vows, choosing meaningful decor, selecting a unique menu, and incorporating special rituals or traditions that reflect your relationship.

10) Do I still need a wedding planner for a micro wedding?

While a wedding planner may not be as essential for a micro wedding compared to a larger wedding, their expertise can be invaluable in ensuring the day runs smoothly and all details are taken care of, allowing you to relax and enjoy your celebration.

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