The last two years have really taken a toll on weddings and how they go. Micro weddings are all the rage right now, and here’s why.
Remember when you were little and dreamed of your wedding?
Envisioning your wedding day, you wore a beautiful white dress with a flowing veil, a diamond tiara and a cascading bouquet of white roses. You had all your best friends and cousins standing up for you (12, to be exact) at your wedding, all wearing the same color dresses and stunning bouquets.
You dreamed that your reception would be held in a large ornate ballroom. Three hundred of your closest friends and family raise glasses of champagne as you waltz into the room with your handsome fiancé, ready to take center stage and finally play the waltz you’ve been rehearsing and perfecting for weeks into the evening. Big day.
Maybe you’ve had a wish board that you’ve been tweaking over the years as you plan and make your big day come true.
And like a speeding car screeching to stop at a red light, reality swooped in, and bam! This is how the truth came out.
You start planning your big day and realize that the cost of something so grand is higher than you thought.
You also start thinking about the house you want to buy and the bills you need to pay, and you think maybe a big wedding isn’t worth the drama.
Add to this the pandemic and limits on the number of people you can keep in a confined space, and you realize that you need to turn around and do something else. Something that will still be memorable and as unique as you dreamed.
Take part in a microwedding
A recent article on Brides.com reveals how over 80% of couples say their wedding expectations and plans have changed since the pandemic. As a result, more and more wedding planners are planning smaller weddings for couples who still want to get married but are making the most of the current situation.
What are micro weddings?
Microweddings are what they sound like, small celebrations with around 50 people. Don’t get me wrong, just because you have a more intimate wedding doesn’t mean your wedding can’t be epic. Adjusting the number of guests can be very helpful.
A little celebration gives more room for creativity in realizing your vision. Micro weddings are exactly like your regular wedding because you are still getting married, followed by a reception with food and drink, and then maybe even dancing.
Microweddings are a little different from another event that has been gaining popularity in the last few years, MiniMoney. MiniMony includes a legal and/or religious initiation ceremony in order to have a big celebration later.
What is the average cost of a micro wedding?
The average cost of a micro wedding is between $1,500 and $10,000. The basis of the Microwedding is rather a minimalist style. A smaller budget doesn’t mean you have to skimp on any details.
On the contrary, couples see the microwedding as an opportunity to diversify the menu. Adding gourmet products like caviar or chateaubriand, or providing their guests with top-notch alcohol, is something they might not be able to afford if they had to accommodate 200 people.
In general, spending less on your wedding day allows you to be creative with colors, décor, and venue options.
And that haute couture dress you tried on that you fell in love with, but it turned out to be over your budget? Well, a micro wedding can leave room in your budget to purchase this gorgeous haute couture dress.
Micro wedding ideas
A microwedding opens doors to places you may have thought of but couldn’t afford or that weren’t big enough for a bigger celebration.
Places such as museums or art galleries can host small celebrations and create a unique atmosphere for your wedding.
Small cozy spaces like hotels, farmhouses or wineries will add romance and quirkiness to your wedding.
And for the adventurous, hot air ballooning, rock climbing and even surfing are available. They can provide transport, accommodation and experience for you and a smaller number of guests.
Themed weddings are another benefit of a micro wedding. Since you’re spending less than a traditional wedding, imagine being able to bring your Harry Potter theme to life with colorful dresses representing the various houses of Hogwarts and eclectic magical décor?
Instead of a formal dinner, why not opt for an interactive tasting menu paired with wines or signature drinks? The conversation will indeed be accompanied by many questions and comments about the unique experience your guests will have.
Instead of a DJ, consider musicians, dueling pianos, or even mariachis, depending on your theme and mood. Live music is always such a treat.
Seating guests at one long rustic table is an option for a more intimate wedding atmosphere. However, if your venue is outdoors, maybe in a backyard or farmhouse, draping chairs with pashmina or soft blankets can do two things: keep guests warm and as a thank you gift for celebrating with you.
You can splurge on unique wedding favors that truly represent each guest. Maybe it’s their zodiac sign, hand-drawn in a special frame, or luggage tags with names engraved on them. You can even have a DIY flower bouquet station where your guests can make a bouquet to take home with them. Enlisting the help of a local artist to commission a miniature painting for your guest to take home is also a great idea.
Creativity can dominate micro weddings; however, you should always be sure to stay within your budget and plan. It can be very easy to overdo it because you don’t spend the same money on a traditional wedding.
Microwedding Planning Tips
As with a typical 200-person party, you still need to plan and set boundaries for things like budget, guest list, and outfits. Here are some things to consider when planning a micro wedding.
Budget
Your budget should be a number agreed between you and your significant other. It can be very easy to get carried away because you don’t spend that much. Mini weddings usually cost between 1500 and 10,000 but can be as high as 30,000.00. Sticking to a budget can be difficult, but you have to do it.
Guest List
Your guest list can become a point of contention between loved ones and family; however, it is important to be mindful of the many limits and your guest list budget. The good news is that most of your intruders are well aware that in these crazy times holding a celebration for 200 people is not possible. But most people also know that traditional weddings are much more expensive these days. So having a small gathering at a nice restaurant or backyard barbecue, inviting those who didn’t participate, is one way to continue the celebration after the fact.
Location
Most microwedding venues don’t take place in a traditional reception hall. As such, there are many things to consider before booking a room.
For instance,
- Does your establishment offer catering?
- Do they have space to accommodate an outside caterer, their crew and their food preparation? -Can you use a third party caterer or do you need to use an in-house company?
- Is a tasting menu offered?
- Can alcohol be served?
- Do you need a separate alcohol license?
- Can you bring alcohol from outside?
- Does your favorite restaurant offer catering?
As a rule, places are booked a year in advance, keep this in mind and always keep an extra 2-3 places in mind just in case.
Make sure you prepare as many questions as possible and remember that there are no stupid questions!
Food and drink
Food and drink is an area you can splurge on as fewer people will be accommodated. A three-course meal instead of five or six courses will allow you to eat delicacies such as lobster, caviar, or filet mignon. Regardless of the menu, always be aware of any food allergies or substitutions for a guest if their taste is not as refined as yours.
Here you can also consider a signature cocktail or serve your favorite vintage wine, whiskey or champagne.
Insist on sample tasting menus so you know what your meals and drinks should be like on the day of the celebration.
Don’t forget to think about the wedding cake too.
Outfit
Now your scaled-down celebration can let you tailor the bespoke suit and dress or the Christian Louboutin wedding shoes you’ve been dreaming of. Please note that custom dresses and suits must be ordered well in advance of the wedding day. And if your day is themed, you may need time to send costumes, etc.
Floristry and decor
Some flowers are not available throughout the year. Perhaps you dreamed of a bouquet filled with dahlias or peonies, but your wedding is in January. Unfortunately, this is not an option during the winter. You may have to compromise on some things, and that’s okay. It is very important to clearly define your vision and budget with your floral and event designer to understand what they will have to work with to bring your vision to life.
Photography/Entertainment/Official Representative
Another area where you can splurge or budget. Always read reviews, see their work on their social media pages, and always check for a contract. As with venues, these vendors can be fully booked on the day you choose as your day. So, make sure you select at least three options for each so you don’t have to try and find someone who can accommodate you during the day.
A wedding planner is something to consider when planning your celebration. Most of them have connections with suppliers you may not have known about and probably have micro-weddings planned in places you like. They can also help you navigate some areas of planning that you may be too busy to do on your own.
A micro wedding has so many great benefits. They leave room for creativity, the opportunity to splurge on more expensive menus or drinks, and most importantly, they are a personal celebration of your union.
Micro weddings are here to stay.
This post originally appeared on Savoteur.