The pandemic has certainly changed weddings. While some couples are postponing the wedding, others are opting for a micro wedding. For those currently planning a wedding, this term has probably come up as you create a new vision for your wedding day.
What exactly is a micro wedding?
A micro wedding is simply a downscaled version of the big full day wedding event with a large guest attendance. Also known as an intimate wedding, a micro wedding still includes the style and details of a traditional wedding, but with a much smaller guest count. By downsizing a big wedding to only twenty or so guests, a couple is choosing to only invite their closest family and friends that they absolutely can’t picture their day without. This typically also means a small wedding party of two or less people per side (if any wedding party at all).
Why Have a Micro Weddding?
Here are just a few pros to a micro wedding:
- A smaller guest list means it’s easier to take extra precautions like social distancing to keep your loved ones safe during the pandemic
- Fewer guests also means more quality time to spend with the ones who are present in-person.
- Couples still get to experience traditional ceremony aspects like the walk down the aisle and a vow exchange in front of family and friends (even if some are tuning in via video chat).
- Enjoy more time to take wedding portraits on your day.
- Couples can still utilize some of their “big wedding vision” elements like a stunning floral arch ceremony backdrop or custom wedding cake. Just some things may be down-sized like the guest table and ceremony chair count!
- During challenging times, many couples are more budget-conscious. A smaller guest count significantly reduces wedding costs.
- There’s less pressure to entertain guests! Often a micro wedding just includes a ceremony and small dinner.
How Do I Trim the Guest List?
Depending on your state’s most recent COVID-19 guidelines and your venue’s capacity, the number of guests you can include will vary. Ultimately, the goal is to only invite your closest family and friends. For many, this comes down to just immediate families, grandparents if healthy enough, and a few close friends who would have been included in the wedding party. Anyone who doesn’t make the list will understand this was not an easy decision. The best option is to allow those who can’t be there in-person to virtually tune into the day using Zoom, Google Meets, or another video chat option.
What about a Vendor Team?
Many vendors are teaming up to offer micro wedding packages. Venues, such as Semple Mansion and Mendakota Country Club, have a micro wedding package that includes an officiant, florist, planner, and photographer. Before completely canceling any vendors, ask them if they have micro wedding services or packages available. Your vendor team will appreciate your support and being able to work with you to adjust their services to better fit your micro wedding needs. Your DJ can help with ceremony music and video chat audio, your caterer can create a smaller menu, and your custom stationery designer can create cute place cards or menu cards. There are so many ways your vendors can adapt their services to make your micro wedding day dreams come true!
Big Wedding Bash Blues?
Planning a micro wedding, but missing the idea of a big party with everyone? You’re not alone! Many couples are choosing to do a micro wedding now and plan to have a bigger celebration later on when it’s safer. Even before the pandemic, we’ve had couples choose an elopement, intimate wedding, or destination wedding followed by a large bash a year or two later. It’s your wedding – let your day have an encore next year or use it as an excuse to have a lavish party for your first anniversary!
We hope all this talk about micro weddings has helped create a better vision for your micro wedding day! Jeannine Marie Photography does offer micro wedding photography packages that are customizable to best fit your wedding day needs. Contact us here to learn more!
