Whether you’re planning a wedding or work in the wedding industry, you might be wondering how weddings will look in a post COVID-19 world. Does every distant cousin and uncle really still need an invite? Will we think twice about the communal charcuterie table? Will rhinestone adorned masks become the hottest bridal accessory? As a wedding photographer of 10+ years, these thoughts were actively consuming my day.
Recently, I came across an article about “Micro Weddings” which gave me hope for how weddings might evolve to meet the demands of our new normal. What is a Micro Wedding you ask? According to Brides.com “A micro wedding is an intimate affair, typically with no more than 50 guests. They still feature time-honored traditions that make a wedding but on a much smaller scale.”
Although it might not have been the original plan, couples will find many benefits to having a micro wedding.
More intimacy
Our own wedding had a guest list of 70, not quite “micro” but pretty close! I think I would have loved it just as much had it been even smaller. Forget “making the rounds” - with a small guest count, you are able to get to spend genuine and valuable time with each and every guest.
Take advantage of this "unexpected" time in our lives to create the most memorable wedding celebration with those that matter the most! Forgo the lengthy guest list and opt in for an intimate wedding ceremony and celebration! Let's be real for a second, I'm sure there are people on that list you didn't even want to invite anyways but felt obligated to!
2. Save on costs
Micro Weddings are the perfect solution to accommodate a smaller budget. There’s less to decorate, fewer mouths to feed, your wedding photographer likely will not need a 2nd shooter or a full 8 hours, etc.
“One great thing about working with a small business is flexibility. As a local ice cream company we’re able to collaborate with couples to make a custom dessert menu to help them celebrate exactly how they’ve always imagined. We’re also able to drop off ice cream in dry ice filled coolers for a hassle free experience, no matter where and with how many people you’re celebrating with! Eliminating on-site catering service is a great way to get exactly what you want but stay within your budget.”
3. Unique venues
Traditional wedding venues are usually built for large crowds of up to 300+, meaning that smaller, more unique venues are out of the question with a non-micro guest list. With a Micro Wedding, tons of opportunities open up to you! Your favorite restaurant, local bowling alley, or neighborhood park are all viable options for your limited guestlist. For restaurants specifically, you’ll often find more unique food and beverage options and a more invested staff. They are some of my favorite weddings to shoot. As far as the dance floor goes, no need to forego it! Smaller venues are positioned to meet the needs of all types of events, not just weddings, and therefore are usually very flexible with how their space is used.
“As a DJ, it’s vital for us to set the mood and the atmosphere. From the ceremony, to the formal dances, the dance party, and into the last song, music encompasses the entire celebration. Start to finish.
No matter the size of the venue, no matter the guest count, the party is happening. Some of my smallest weddings have had the fullest dance floors. It’s more intimate. It’s more personal. It’s more meaningful. “
4. Impactful, limited details
Since Micro Weddings typically correspond with a smaller venue, you can really focus on the details you want to incorporate into your big day. For example with floral, if you need a centerpiece on all 25 tables, that might not leave much budget for the floral arch you’ve been dreaming of. Micro Weddings help couples prioritize where they want to “go big” on the details.
“There is something really special about creating flowers for small, intimate weddings. Routinely, a flower budget is spread out to cover 20+ different elements, often requiring a simplification of the design to fit within that budget. With intimate gatherings we can focus on composing a few significant and impactful floral moments where every detail is tailored to the couple’s personalities, venue space, season and local landscape. Whether its an abundant tablescape of tapers candles and rambling flowers or an airy garden bridal bouquet, each composition feels like a work of art for you and your closest family and friends.”
So there you have it - Micro Weddings may be the future, but the future doesn’t look so bad. In fact, it looks pretty awesome! It’s still possible to have an incredible wedding with fewer people. Those elopers may have figured something out!
If you or someone you know is thinking about a Micro Wedding in Boston or anywhere in New England let’s chat! A big day doesn’t have to mean a big guest list!
-Zac
Disclaimer: All gatherings should be in compliance with the guidance of public health officials