Large is kind of out. More and more, consumer dig living minimally. This applies to weddings too. Weddings have become smaller, more intimate, and more minimal. And Covid has only accelerated this trend.

Let’s take a look at what micro wedding is and whether it could be right for you. We’ll go over some micro wedding ideas, and the difference between a micro wedding vs a minimony vs an elopement.

What is a micro wedding vs a minimony vs eloping?

In the world of weddings, there are different sizes and types all with different budgets and expectations. Even a small ceremony is a big event regardless of the guest count. Whether you are having a quiet wedding with only your best friends, a slightly larger wedding with friends and family, or a grand celebration with a full ceremony, your wedding is what you make of it.

In the terms used by wedding experts, a micro wedding has around 50 or fewer guests.

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A minimony is typically an intimate celebration held by a couple who have been recently married but did not have a ceremony at the time. A minimony can also be considered a commitment ceremony, depending on the views of the couple.

Eloping used to mean a couple that ran off to be married before their family members found out but that is no longer the case. Elopements can be destination weddings with an actual guest list, floral arrangements, and the white dress.

What are the pros and cons of a micro wedding?

A smaller wedding may or may not mean less stress and fewer wedding plans. If your wedding is going to be a traditional affair on a smaller scale, the planning will be just as high-stress just with a much smaller guest count.

The Pros of a Micro Wedding:

  • Possible savings on the venue and other expenses.
  • More interesting venue possibilities such as an art gallery.
  • Fewer guest means that the bride and groom can actually interact with their guests and have some quality time with them.
  • More control over elements including the wedding photography.
  • More control over the friends and family members that are invited. (Uncle Larry and his outrageous conspiracy talk can wait for the holidays to annoy everyone!)
  • If you save money on the ceremony, you can go big for the honeymoon.

The Cons of a Micro Wedding:

  • Inviting fewer guests means that some close family members may not make the cut.
  • Unless you are specific with the dress code some guests may assume that small means super casual so your group photo will include your cousin Susan in a pair of shorts, a cute blouse, and flip flops.
  • There will be at least one family member that will tell you a micro wedding is not actually legal. (If you have a marriage license, your marriage is legal regardless of the size of the wedding).
  • The wedding planner may bail when they find out you are planning a micro wedding. Some planners do specialize in these weddings though especially as the intimate wedding becomes more and more the norm.
  • The wedding venue may have a minimum guest count. To save money, search for micro wedding venues specifically as they cater to the smaller guest count without penalizing you for it.

Who is invited to a micro wedding?

This is your wedding so your guest list is entirely on you. If you only want immediate family there, that’s your list. If you want close friends and some family, those are the people you invite.

A traditional wedding may dictate that you invite cousins you’ve never met plus every person you work with. A dream wedding says that you only invite the people that fill you with happiness and joy to enhance this perfect day.

Do you send invitations to a micro wedding?

Unless all of your guests happen to have telepathy, you do send invitations just like you would for a big wedding. The choice of style and formatting of the invitations is up to you. You can include that it will be a very small wedding, which is a great way to let people who are afraid of larger crowds know that it will be okay but that isn’t necessary.

Information to include in invitations to a micro wedding:

  • Date and time.
  • Location. If there is to be a separate reception and the guest is invited to both, include the information for that as well.
  • The general dress code. It is perfectly acceptable to be as general or as specific as you feel you need with the people that you have invited.
  • Include any specific notes including “We regret that because of size restrictions we cannot accommodate your children/pet/out-of-town guests at this time.”
  • Also, be sure to give an RSVP deadline so that you can get a final headcount to the caterer.

How do you announce a micro wedding?

Back in the old days, a wedding was announced in the local newspaper, usually accompanied by a photo of the happy couple. The announcement might include other details such as general wedding date and where they will be making their home.

In more recent times, weddings of all sizes have been informally announced on social media including Facebook and Twitter. If you want to be more traditional or you need to announce your wedding/marriage to the family that is not on social media, there are options.

Announcing an Upcoming Micro wedding

Also known as a save the date, your announcement is not an official invitation and should include information such as when the wedding will be and the city it will be held in. If you are planning a destination micro wedding, this type of announcement is a great way to let people know ahead of time.

Announcing a Recent Wedding

You were not planning a micro wedding at first. You had the wedding all mapped out in your head with a full guest list, a large wedding party. But, your wedding day dreams ended up being ruined by the pandemic as wedding vendors, venues, and even guests had to cancel.

Not to be deterred, you and your beloved tied the knot in an intimate ceremony and now it is time to let everyone know. You can use much of the same wording and a similar layout as a wedding invitation only with past tense. It can look like this:

Eliza and David would like to share their joy with you as they celebrate their love and forever union. Although you could not be there for our wedding day on May 1st, 2021, we welcome you to our gathering honoring that occasion on May 1st, 2022.

How much money do you give for a micro wedding as a gift?

In most cases, the size of the wedding does not dictate the size of the wedding gift. What does dictate the amount should be who you are to the happy couple. It is commonly accepted that there is a minimum of $50 for checks or other forms of money gifts.

If you truly cannot afford a gift of that amount, buy something small from the registry or a gift that you know will be appreciated, and try to remember, that you are a guest at a wedding. You are not just another funder of a Kickstarter campaign.

Can you make a registry for a micro wedding?

You can and you should! Try to keep in mind that you are working with a smaller guest list and register for reasonable items. If you feel uncomfortable, only include information about the registry to people who have asked for it.

Is $1,500 enough for a micro wedding?

It can be. The average cost of a traditional wedding can be as much as $35,000 whereas the average micro wedding may cost from $1,500 to $10,000. The micro wedding cost can be kept under control with careful planning and more creative ideas.

What do you absolutely need for a micro wedding?

As with any wedding, the only real needs are the couple, an officiant, and a witness and the rest is simply buttercream frosting on the fancy cake. Ignore what the wedding industry insists is a “must” for a wedding. Take the traditions you enjoy and like and throw out the others.

How can you make money for a micro wedding?

Even at the lower end, micro weddings can eat into your budget which these days is already stretched tight enough. Here are some ways to make some extra cash to add to the budget:

  • Join Swagbucks. It’s free and you can both save and make money. Save money by using coupon codes for free shipping and discounts to favorite merchants. Make money by earning cashback at those same merchants plus take surveys, play games, watch videos, and refer friends to earn SB. SB can be used to get gift cards, Paypal cash, and more.
  • Take on a side hustle such as driving for Uber. Work only the hours you are available and get away from wedding planning for a short break now and then.
  • Become a dog walker. Get some fresh air, exercise, plus play with pooches. Who doesn’t love that?
  • Put your talents to work for you by posting on Fiverr. Freelance writing, graphic design, photography. Whatever your skill set, you can post and get gigs right from the website.
  • If you are about to combine households, what better time to get rid of things you no longer want or need? Sell your items through eBay for a quick turnaround. Sell designer items on Poshmark. Word to the wise: don’t sell potentially collectible items without knowing their value.

Every little bit helps and remember, whatever does not get used for your wedding can be added to the honeymoon fund.

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