A micro wedding is a small, intimate wedding celebration with a limited number of guests. While traditional weddings often have 100+ attendees, micro weddings usually have less than 50 guests.

Micro weddings have become increasingly popular over the last few years. There are many reasons couples opt for tiny weddings as opposed to large, lavish affairs. Below we’ll explore what micro weddings are, their pros and cons, who they work best for, and tips for planning a memorable miniature matrimony.

What Qualifies as a Micro Wedding?

There is no official guest count that defines a micro wedding. However, most industry experts agree micro weddings have 50 guests or less.

Some other defining features of micro weddings:

• Intimate setting and atmosphere
• Limited vendors (photographer, officiant, etc.)
• Streamlined experience without lengthy traditions
• Casual vibe and flexibility

The micro wedding designation is more about the event’s simplicity and intimate feel than a precise headcount. A wedding with 20 close family and friends has a much different vibe than a 150-guest extravaganza.

Micro Wedding Pros

Why are they becoming so popular? There are many advantages to celebrating your nuptials with your nearest and dearest.

More Meaningful Experience

With a micro wedding, you can focus on the ceremony’s personal, emotional elements. You’ll have time to look each guest in the eye and connect with them. It’s easier to create an atmosphere of authentic joy and love when you’re surrounded by your VIP guests.

Lower Costs

One of the biggest advantages of micro weddings is their price tag. A smaller guest list means lower costs for:

• Venue – You can host a micro wedding in a small venue like a home, restaurant, or mini event space. No need to drop tens of thousands on a giant ballroom.
• Catering – Feeding 50 people is drastically cheaper than feeding 150+. Limiting your guest list saves big on catering costs.
• Rentals – With fewer guests you likely won’t need as many tables, chairs, linens, etc. reducing rental fees.
• Decor – You can splurge on luxe flowers for your micro wedding without blowing your budget. Less decor is needed for an intimate space.

Less Stress

Planning a guest list, seating chart, rentals, catering, and other logistics for 100+ people is stressful. Planning the same wedding for 50 people is much more manageable. With fewer guests and events, you’ll experience less stress as you plan your wedding.

And on the big day, you can relax knowing every detail doesn’t need to be perfect. With an intimate micro wedding, little hiccups are less likely to happen and won’t ruin the day.

Custom Experience

Micro weddings allow you to custom design a day that really fits your style as a couple. You likely won’t feel pressure to include any traditions or events you don’t love.

Want an ultra-casual picnic wedding? A sophisticated soirée? Your dream mountain elopement? A micro wedding provides the flexibility to craft your perfect day.

Potential Micro Wedding Cons

While micro weddings have many advantages, they also come with a few potential cons to consider.

Exclusive Guest List

With a micro wedding, your guest list needs to be very exclusive. You may have to leave off coworkers, extended family, your parent’s business associates, and more.

Saying “no” to B and C list guests can be awkward and stressful. Make sure to give VIPs priority and handle communications delicately.

Fewer Gift Prospects

In many cultures, wedding guests give the couple gifts. Some may see a micro wedding with a tiny guest list as fewer gift prospects.

With a micro wedding, you likely won’t receive as many gifts. If the potential for gifts factors into your budget, keep this in mind.

Less Dancing & Celebrating

Large weddings mean packed dance floors and big communal moments like bouquet tosses. With a micro wedding of say 15 people, the dance party atmosphere will be more subdued.

If having 100+ guests cheering at traditions is important to you, a micro wedding may not suffice. However, you can always add fun elements like lawn games to a micro-wedding to keep guests engaged.

Potential Venue Issues

Some wedding venues have 50, 75, or 100-person minimums to book their space, especially on Saturdays. Hotels and restaurants may charge room rental fees for weddings under a certain count.

Make sure to ask about any minimums before booking a venue for a micro wedding. Weekday micro weddings are sometimes more flexible.

Is a Micro Wedding Right for You?

While micro weddings are growing in popularity, they aren’t a fit for every couple. Below are a few signs a micro wedding may be right for you.

You Both Have Small Families

If you and your spouse-to-be each come from smaller, tight-knit families, a micro wedding makes sense. You likely won’t have to make as many tough cuts to get your guest list under 50 people.

You’re on a Budget

As outlined above, micro weddings can be much more budget-friendly for couples watching their bottom line. A micro wedding lets you have a beautiful, meaningful day without the giant price tag.

You Won’t Miss Traditions

Large weddings allow for lavish bridal showers, raucous bachelor/bachelorette parties, lengthy receptions, big dances, etc. If you don’t care about those traditions, a micro wedding is perfect.

You Prefer Simplicity

Some couples would rather elope because wedding planning stresses them out. A micro wedding provides a middle ground – you can still have an event without all the complicated logistics.

You Want an Adventure

Hosting your micro wedding at a destination like the beach, mountains, or abroad makes for an intimate, adventurous affair.

You’re Eco-Conscious

They are greener with less waste, decor, emissions from travel, etc. If environmental impact is important to you, a micro wedding aligns with your values.

Tips for Planning a Memorable Micro Wedding

Ready to start planning your dream micro matrimony? Here are 7 tips:

Pick a Meaningful Venue

For micro weddings, unique offbeat venues shine over hotel ballrooms. Consider:

• Family home
• Winery
• Scenic restaurant
• Historic building
• National park lodge
• Overseas destination

Choosing a venue with personal meaning or beauty will elevate your micro wedding.

Send Digital Invitations

Email, text, or video chat invitations are perfect for micro weddings. Digital invites set the casual, intimate tone. Sending invites digitally also makes managing RSVPs easy.

Hire a Photographer

Even though it’s a small event, you’ll still want beautiful photos to remember the day. Prioritize hiring a seasoned wedding photographer to capture all the micro wedding moments.

Treat Guests to Luxuries

With the money you save on a micro wedding, treat your VIP guests to luxe details like:

• Multi-course plated dinner
• Signature cocktails
• Gorgeous florals at each place setting
• Custom favors

Making each guest feel pampered is easier with a tiny crowd.

Add Interactive Elements

In lieu of traditional dances and large toasts, add interactive elements so guests stay engaged, like:

• Lawn games
• Cocktail making class
• DIY taco bar
• Fire pit s’mores station
• Karaoke

Schedule an After Party

Host an after-party at a bar, restaurant, or one of your homes. This gives guests a second location to mingle and celebrate after the ceremony and reception.

Display Photos from Your Relationship

Showcase photos throughout your relationship at the venue with a photo guest book, picture frames, gallery wall, or slideshow. This adds a personal touch to your micro-wedding.

Pulling Off a Memorable Micro Wedding

Micro-weddings are a fresh alternative to larger nuptials. An intimate wedding allows you to focus on what matters most – celebrating with your closest friends and family.

Hosting a micro wedding isn’t for everyone. But if you want a budget-friendly, lower-stress wedding this mini matrimony model may be perfect for you. With unique venues, luxurious details, and interactive elements micro weddings can feel just as special as large affairs.

If you meticulously plan out the event and guest list, your micro wedding can be a beautiful, momentous occasion full of love, laughter, and celebration with your favorite people.

Typical Cost of a Micro Wedding

• Venue: $2,000-$5,000 for an intimate venue like a restaurant, winery tasting room, historic building, or mini event venue. Backyard weddings at a home may just require rentals.
• Catering: $20-$50 per person for a multi-course plated dinner from a restaurant or custom caterer. Appetizers, desserts, and an open bar would be additional.
• Attire: $1,000-$4,000 for a wedding dress or suit, though you could spend less on more casual attire.
• Photographer: $2,000-$5,000
• Florist: $500-$2,000
• Decor: $300-$1,000 for elements like signage, paper goods, lighting, etc.
• Music: $200-$1,000 for a speaker, playlist, or live musician.
• Hair & Makeup: $200-$500 per service

So all in, most micro weddings cost $10,000-$30,000. The simpler the wedding, the lower the budget. Things like catering, attire, and photography make up the biggest line items for micro weddings. With only 50 guests or less to worry about, micro weddings provide beautiful weddings at a fraction of the cost of larger affairs.

Micro Weddings as a New Business Opportunity

Microweddings present some interesting business opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups:

• Micro wedding planners – As micro weddings gain popularity, there is a demand for planners who specialize in tiny affairs rather than large extravaganzas. This is a niche some wedding planners could focus on.
• Micro wedding vendors – Caterers, bakers, florists, and other vendors can position themselves as micro wedding specialists able to provide bespoke services to these intimate events.
• Micro wedding venues – There is room in the market for venues designed specifically for micro weddings with smaller guest counts. These could be mini-event venues that cater their services and design to micro weddings.
• Micro wedding rentals – Rental companies can create micro wedding packages with all the furnishings and decor essentials streamlined for events under 50 people.
• Elopement consultants – For couples wanting to elope but with some support, consultants can act as micro wedding planners focused on intimate elopements.
• Digital micro wedding platforms – Tech entrepreneurs could create digital platforms to seamlessly plan and broadcast tiny weddings.
• Micro wedding inspiration – Bloggers, social media influencers, and publications can provide ideas, advice, and inspiration around micro weddings.

The trend provides opportunities for current and aspiring wedding professionals to tailor their services and knowledge to this specific segment of engaged couples planning more intimate celebrations.