Micro Weddings
What a wild year huh? I’ve gone back and forth about sharing this post since most of what I photographed in 2020 was not weddings. But you know what? The work I did for families and friends was just as meaningful to me as my wedding work.
Read MoreRecently, 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.”
When thinking about your little big day a smaller guest count will open you up to some amazing and unique venues for your micro wedding. I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite venues in and around Boston that I think would be perfect for smaller guest counts.
Loyal Nine boasts a direct relationship with farmers and artisans and a focus on New England culinary traditions. Their space can accommodate groups of up to 130 for a seated dinner so they are well covered for any micro wedding. Their patio is perfect for an intimate outdoor ceremony or cocktail hour and with a location in the heart of Cambridge it is easily accessible to any out-of-town guests. I am glad I have gotten to photograph two weddings here, both were some of my favorites of all time!
For those couples in search of a unique venue, look no further than Breaktime Bowl & Bar! The duckpin bowling alley was built in the 1920s and was later restored to its current retro state. With a no fuss burgers-and-fries centric menu and bowling for cocktail hour, guests will be feeling nostalgic while celebrating your big day. I have not photographed a wedding here, but it was a perfect space for this wedding’s cocktail hour + portraits.
Located right off the Green Line in Cleveland Circle, the Waterworks Museum is a historic venue with tons of flexibility. You’ll find perfect portrait locations among the industrial backdrops of the museum's retired waterworks system or beautiful front entryway. Also, the picture-esue reservoir is just across the street for some great nature shots! And I have shot here three different times, each one was totally unique from the previous!
The best thing about Warehouse XI, located in Somerville, is that it is a blank canvas. Their white walls leave space for any creative vision you may have for your micro wedding. There’s also two rooms so you can have good movement from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception. The two weddings I photographed here were both so amazing that we decided to use this space for a party of our own!
With its Cape Cod campsite vibe and multiple houses to choose from, there’s tons of flexibility with this venue. Tons of different spots to pick for different parts of the day. Plus you can even stay on-site with your guests! I’ve photographed three killer weddings here, and I liked it so much I recommended it to my friends for their wedding!
If food is the priority for your micro wedding, Pagu is worth some serious consideration. Their large event dishes include a whole suckling pig roast or a massive chicken or seafood paella! Their beautiful space can accommodate many different configurations and they are easily accessible right in Central Square. I photographed a wedding here on one of the hottest days ever, and they still pulled off an amazing day!
Looking to have a micro wedding on the water? The Massapoag Yacht Club may be the place for you. Their beachfront is the perfect place for an intimate ceremony and their indoor space just screams “lobster bake”! I was fortunate enough to photograph an amazing intimate wedding here a few years back!
Alden and Harlow is located right in the middle of Harvard Square and serves thoughtfully sourced, honest American food in a subterranean, modern and comfortable space. Their dark and moody vibe is unlike any other venue in the area. And who wouldn’t want portraits in Harvard Square?
CK Pearl, based in Essex, is a great seaside venue with classic New England food. They have several unique portrait locations nearby and have the perfect set-up for an intimate reception. The wedding I photographed here had some of the best food I’ve ever had!
The Sinclair, centrally located in Harvard Square, is part restaurant, part music hall, part event venue. They have tons of space available to fit a ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception all in the same building. And who wouldn’t want to see their name up on that marquee? The Sinclair is truly one of the most unique micro wedding venues in Boston.
If you want to know more about having me photograph your micro wedding whether it be in Boston, around New England or wherever please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. You can fill out my contact form here!
Disclaimer: All gatherings should be in compliance with the guidance of public health officials
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.
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!
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.”
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. “
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
Looking for elopement picture ideas? Whether it’s a wedding, an engagement photo shoot, or a family photo shoot, I love to capture love! Get a glimpse of some of my elopement photos with the story behind my experience with DJ + Leann.
They were sick of waiting to tie the knot so they decided to return to DJ’s hometown and get married in the backyard of the house he grew up in! With both of their immediate families as the only physical guests and a slew of virtual attendees sending them love from all across the globe! Even though it was a small guest count they still managed to have incredible florals and rentals which made the celebration that much more beautiful!
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About Zac Wolf Photography: New England and Orlando Wedding Photographer
Hi, I’m Zac, a New England and Orlando wedding photographer capturing your love through joyful, vibrant, and honest wedding photography. I make magic with your photos––regardless of the venue, the weather, or how you feel in front of the camera––I know how to make your photos look how you feel.
With me as your wedding photographer, you can enjoy the present moment of your special day and count on me to capture everything you’ll want to remember in the years to come. My 10+ years of experience as an engagement, elopement, and wedding photographer in Central Florida, New England, and across the country means I know how to make the process go as smoothly and easily as possible for you.
I can’t wait to capture your love. Let’s work together.
