7 Micro Wedding Ideas & Planning Tips
Photography: Camille Leigh Photography
Planning & Florals: Connor & Co.
Micro Weddings in 2021
First, I bet you’re wondering, “What even is a micro wedding?” or “Isn’t micro wedding just a fancier name for an elopement?” Or you already know the answers to those questions and are here for more inspiration and ideas on planning your micro wedding. Well, good news! The answers are all right here! We will walk you through everything you need to know about micro weddings including what a micro wedding is and why it is different from an elopement and give you ideas on throwing the best micro wedding ever!!
Photography: Danielle Christine Photography
Videography: Amavi Films
Venue: Annesdale Mansion
Planning: Connor & Co.
Dress: The Barefoot Bride
Florals: Everbloom Design
Rentals: White Door Events
Accessories: Fox + Cat Vintage
Hair & Makeup: Faizah Husniyah
What is a micro wedding?
It seems like the term micro weddings is a phrase you’ve been seeing a lot this year, but what does it mean? A micro wedding is just that- a small scale wedding. Maybe the COVID restrictions in your area canceled your big wedding or maybe you’re working with a smaller budget. That's what a mirror wedding is for!! You can have all the experiences of a “traditional” wedding while maximizing your budget and getting to have your fairytale wedding amid a pandemic!
Photography: Whit Photography
Planning: Connor & Co.
Is a micro wedding the same as eloping?
Yes and no!! In the traditional sense, eloping means running to the nearest courthouse or Vegas and saying “I Do” without any friends and family. The differences between eloping and micro weddings are micro weddings can take almost the same amount of time and coordination to plan, more friends and family are involved, and there are still elements of a traditional wedding woven in than elopements.
How to plan a micro wedding
1. Still hire a wedding planner
You’re probably thinking, “why do I even need a wedding planner if I’m not having a traditional, full-blown wedding?” We will gladly tell you! Planners have unique wedding industry tips and tricks that will save time and money. We are well-versed in all things COVID and government regulations for events! We can guide you to venues that fit your guest count, budget, and work with event staff to coordinate your big day around regulations and all micro wedding budgets! Here is our micro wedding portfolio to prove we are pros at navigating the ins and outs of micro weddings!
Photography: Elizabeth Hoard Photography
Venue: Central Station Hotel
Florals & Planning: Connor and Co.
Rentals: White Door Events
2. Get that guest count down
For a micro wedding to be considered a micro wedding, only invite the people you are closest with and talk to regularly. Organize people by circles, Family, Bridal Party, Coworkers, etc. If you don’t see or talk to them every day (or let’s be frank. Only invited them because you felt obligated), there is your cut-off point.
Photography: Whit Photography
Venue: Crown Winery
3. Determine your micro wedding budget
This is an essential step in any wedding planning process and another way wedding planners still come in handy for micro weddings. Mapping out your budget determines venue options, catering menus, entertainment, literally everything. So decided if you’re balling on a budget or going to be extra and spoil you and your guests since there is a limited guest count! A wedding planner can help turn your budget into a tangible wedding and help calculate what aspects need a little more attention from your budget.
Micro Wedding Ideas
Photography: Shelby Renee Photography
Venue: Orion Hill
Florals: Connor and Co.
Rentals: Ila Vivian
Dress: Miranda Marie Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Isabella Allen
Now that you have your guest count and budget, you can move on to the fun stuff!! This is where you really get to be creative with your planning process. If you have a big budget, your options are endless for an extravagant micro wedding!! If you’re balling on a budget, this is your opportunity to hold a super intimate and sentimental or full-blown house party at your house!
Photography: Danielle Christine Photography
Videography: Amavi Films
Venue: Annesdale Mansion
Planning: Connor & Co.
Dress: The Barefoot Bride
Florals: Everbloom Design
Rentals: White Door Events
Accessories: Fox + Cat Vintage
Hair & Makeup: Faizah Husniyah
1.Find a non-traditional Micro wedding venue
Since you’re weighed down by the travel restrictions of a 300-person wedding, you can consider options outside of your local venues like the Art Estuary in New Orleans! Hit the mountains for a mountain-top wedding or sail the seas on a chartered yacht, the unique micro wedding venue possibilities are endless! Make your wedding celebration last all weekend and make it a mini-vacay for you and your guests!
2. Personalize wedding favors
This is another pro to having a micro wedding! Smaller guest count = more opportunities to personalize wedding favors to your guests. Write thank-you cards specific to each guest or include their name on something in their gift! A little personal touch brings an intimate element to your wedding day! Hit up Etsy to find the most unique and personal wedding favors!
Photography: Whit Photography
3. Skip the buffet, go for a family-style table
This opens up the opportunity for guests to be able to interact with you and other guests in a more intimate setting and make everyone feel included.
4. Take a big group picture for the Thank You cards
Coordinating a group photo with 20-50 people is MUCH easier than a crowd of 100+. Putting it on the front or back of a thank you card after the celebration makes the photo a cute and sentimental additional party favor! If you’re having trouble picking out a certain style, go to Minted! They have a style quiz that will match you with the perfect wedding stationery to fit your style!
Photography: Whit Photography
Planning & Florals: Connor & Co.
So all-in-all a micro wedding doesn’t mean you’re giving up the lavish wedding you always wanted!! A micro wedding can be anything from an intimate backyard celebration to a high-dollar extravaganza! A micro wedding is just a way to adapt to our ever-changing environment and still have the special day you always envisioned!
