Micro Weddings: The Ultimate Guide
- Apr 1
- 6 min read
Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life and one that you'll never forget. While big, traditional weddings are still really common, the idea of hosting a large-scale celebration can feel overwhelming and a little out of sync with the core values of many couples. Micro weddings offer an incredible alternative to the intensity of a big wedding and are an amazing way to fully immerse yourself in your wedding celebration.
I'm going to share all about micro weddings and everything I've learned along the way as a micro wedding photographer, including what micro weddings are, why they're great, and ways that you can bring the spirit of a micro wedding to your celebration regardless of its size. Be sure to check this post regularly, as I'll be updating this micro wedding guide throughout the year!
The Micro Wedding Guide
What is a Micro Wedding?
So: what exactly is a micro wedding anyway?
Often when we hear the word "micro" we think "teeny tiny", "itty bitty" or "microscopic". But I don't think that a "microscopic wedding" really hits the mark when we're talking about celebrating, feeling, and truly experiencing love with our partner (in fact I'd probably classify that as a maximal experience).
Micro weddings are more intimate experiences with anywhere from 10-40 guests.
In its simplest terms, a micro wedding really just refers to a small, intimate wedding where you're celebrating your marriage with your closest loved ones and incorporating elements that are the most meaningful to you. How you define "small" is really up to you. In more practical terms, I usually think of micro weddings as more intimate experiences with anywhere from 10-40 guests. I've also been at some weddings with up to 60 guests that still felt like a micro wedding, so there's really no hard and fast rule about how many people you need to invite.
What makes micro weddings unique?
Don't get me wrong - when done well, large weddings can be a lot of fun and full of personality. But after working as a wedding photographer who prioritizes helping couples to have fun and fully enjoy their day, I've seen how intense big weddings can feel and how difficult it can be for couples to get the most out of their wedding experience when the guest list is long and the timeline is tight. Micro weddings, on the other hand, offer a lot of opportunity to fully celebrate in unique ways that truly reflect what matters most to you and they can really enhance your wedding experience.
There are so many benefits to having a micro wedding.
Given that the guest list is quite a bit smaller than traditional weddings with 100+ people, micro weddings open up opportunities for more of all the good things that you want to feel and experience on your wedding day. Long story short, deeply meaningful and elevated experiences go hand-in-hand with micro weddings.
Connection and Community During Micro Weddings
By nature, micro weddings allow for endless opportunities for connection, because the guest lists are smaller and built with intention. This means that on the day of your wedding, you get to spend ample time with your loved ones throughout your day and not have to worry about catching everyone for a brief moment during the reception before they head home for the night. And, rather than inviting former colleagues or your niece's piano teacher, you can surround yourself with the people who matter the most to you and who really know you so that you can unwind, share stories, laugh, and feel fully present all day long.
Elevated Experiences Make Micro Weddings Special
Imagine your favourite date-night ritual with your partner. Maybe you explore a new local restaurant together, splurge on an incredible dining experience, and then head down the street for some live music at an intimate venue. Or maybe you're sitting lakeside together, taking in the view while enjoying each other's company before lighting a fire. These experiences are some of the most memorable moments you'll have as a couple. Now imagine sharing these elements with your loved ones on the day of your wedding - wouldn't that be amazing?
Long story short, deeply meaningful and elevated experiences go hand-in-hand with micro weddings.
With micro weddings you not only have the opportunity to save money when compared to a larger wedding (I'm talking thousands of dollars here), but you can also make your dollars stretch a lot farther. This means being able to splurge on certain elements that otherwise would only feel like a dream. For instance, many couples might love the idea of hosting a dinner with a private chef on their wedding day, but this would be totally out of the question with a guest list of 150 people. With a micro wedding, however, a meal for 30 people with a private chef and custom menu might actually be within reach (!) and suddenly the dream of experiencing something amazing that reflects who you are as a couple can actually become a reality on your wedding day.
Aligning with Your Values During Your Micro Wedding
Micro weddings create space for you to express who you are and what matters most to you as a couple. Whether this means incorporating unique activities like boardgames or a bouquet making station into your timeline, integrating eco-friendly strategies throughout your celebration, or going all-out on creative themes like music, dancing, or top-shelf cocktails, you can have a really rich experience without the obligation of a garter toss.
Micro Wedding Venue Ideas
Once you decide that you want a micro wedding, you will find that there are so many amazing possibilities for where you can have your ceremony and reception. And, working with vendors who understand small weddings will be your best allies. Similar to traditional weddings, micro weddings can easily incorporate both indoor and outdoor elements depending on your style. Outdoor spaces, like backyards or gardens on a private property can feel really intimate, especially when we have connection to that space. You could also consider a lakeside ceremony in nature followed by a champagne toast and thoughtful dinner in a private room at a local restaurant. Likewise, art galleries and museums make for amazing ceremony and reception spaces that feel chic and intimate all at once.
Rather than inviting former colleagues or your niece's piano teacher, you can surround yourself with the people who matter the most to you and who really know you so that you can unwind, share stories, laugh, and feel fully present all day long.
Wedding weekends can also be a really fun way to have a micro wedding in a special place where you can enjoy all of the festivities at one location (this makes me so nostalgic for all of the ski trips I used to go on growing up, but I digress). Venues that specialize in micro weddings often bring a lot of thoughtful features to their venue, like Bear Spring Eco Retreat - they offer amazing amenities for small groups, including accommodations and glamping onsite, everything you need for a micro wedding ceremony, fun activities around the gardens, and access to trails for hiking and mountain biking right off the property.
Will a micro wedding a good fit for us?
Micro weddings certainly have a lot of appeal, and it can be helpful to spend some time reflecting on what matters most to you to help you decide on the kind of celebration you want to have. It's important to consider how much time you want to spend with your guests (and if would you would like photos with them), how you feel about tight timelines and whether your would prefer a more relaxed pace to your day, and how much a customized experience matters to you during your celebration.
Don't be afraid to tune in to what makes you truly delighted in life and let that help guide you in your wedding experience.
For many couples, it's all about spending time doing the things that they love with the people who they're closest with rather than sticking to what a wedding "should" be so don't be afraid to tune in to what makes you truly delighted in life and let that help guide you in your wedding experience.
Conclusion
Whether you're into amazing food, live music, or an epic view, there's nothing better than ditching the pressure of a big wedding than to spend the day with your closest loved ones while sharing the amazing elements of what makes your relationship so special. Trust me, if you're looking for a laid back yet elevated wedding experience where you can fully immerse yourselves in your celebration, having a micro wedding is an option you should definitely consider.
And if you'd like to explore more about micro weddings with a photographer who specializes in micro wedding photography, I would love to hear from you! 95% of the weddings I've photographed have actually been micro weddings and I would love to work with you to bring your vision to life!
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