What is a Micro Wedding?

Will micro weddings be a thing of the past after Covid?

Among Many wedding styles the Micro wedding has never been more in trend due to the current restrictions on gatherings. Covid restrictions on weddings has meant two things – either small in gathering or it didn’t happen. Whether is be an elopement, micro, small, medium or large weddings, what do these sizings actually mean in way of volume of guests?

I look at how smaller weddings can be just as beautiful as the larger scale ones.  After all, with those restrictions soon to be lifted in June, it’s interesting to consider whether that means weddings will return to the large gatherings with 100's of guests.

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How many Guests are at a Micro wedding?

• Elopement - just the couple along with their Celebrant and photographer. 
• Micro - typically up to 20 guests. 
• Small - between 5 and 50 guests. 
• Medium - between 5 and 150, leaving over 150 as a large wedding.

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While an elopement is usually done in secret a micro wedding is designed to be a smaller, more relaxed full wedding day with up to 20 guests offering a more affordable but equally as glamorous day.

So why did micro weddings become popular?

We know “covid weddings” that did take place, were restricted to a small number of guests. However even before our global pandemic, micro weddings were growing in popularity. 

Here are 8 reasons which explain the advantages that small doesn’t mean less wonderful:

• Can host them anywhere
• Less expensive by saving money on food and drink, so don’t have to compromise on smaller things ie favours, decorations, flowers etc 
• Easier to personalise 
• More time to spend with guests
• Great for winter romantic vibe - cosy around fire in hotel
• Could make an entire weekend of it and include outdoor activities
• Tend to be more relaxed atmosphere, and less stressful due to the numbers
• Ideal for carbon conscious

While an elopement is usually done in secret a micro wedding is designed to be a smaller, more relaxed full wedding day with up to 20 guests offering a more affordable but equally as glamorous day. One of the disadvantages of smaller sized weddings is the fact you have to slim down your list of guests.

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My guest list is too big, how do I have a wedding with 50 or less guests?

You ultimately have to decide what’s right for you. If budget is key then keeping the guest list down, will mean you can incorporate your dream wedding wish list. For some shortening a guest list is daunting and you aren’t going to please everyone as they are left out of the day. However, do remember, it's your wedding – about you, and not your guests!   

If you really don’t want to upset anyone you have removed from attending, you can of course, always have the ceremony screened virtually – at least they can still be partially involved. The key is to decide on your budget and stick to it. It's not wise to get into debt for years to come and family and friends will understand?

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Despite smaller numbers or a limited budget, a wedding planner can help you make the most of the day. 

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Despite smaller numbers or a limited budget, a wedding planner can help you make the most of the day. Even with a smaller budget, consider what aspects you need help with, that way your money is spent wisely on what you want.   Wedding planners are there to remove the stress from your shoulders, so their investment means you get to enjoy the planning journey so when the big day comes, you are not frazzled with all the stress! For more information on my wedding celebrant packages click here.

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Does a Micro wedding need to be at a registry office?

In short No!! Think about the advantages – Someone like a wedding Celebrant can conduct your ceremony in your favourite place, for example on a beach or where you first met this is Ideal for small guest numbers making it intimate and romantic. Some of the best weddings are small personal ceremonies specifically tailored to the couples preferences. For more information on my wedding celebrant packages click here.

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Don’t get me wrong larger weddings are fabulous, and I've certainly enjoyed some fantastic moments at large events

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Will smaller weddings be a thing of the past?

No, I don’t think so, they can be just as beautiful. For some planning a wedding can be overwhelming not to mention having to speak in front of a large sea of people. 

Don’t get me wrong larger weddings are fabulous, and I've certainly enjoyed some fantastic moments at large events; I just think smaller guest lists will remain for a while to come.    

Nowadays it's all about choice, there are no right or wrongs. If you want a modern fun informal wedding or even traditional, then a Celebrant is the way forward as will tailor it to you, and your guests won’t have heard that ceremony before, so how fabulous is that?

Finally, if you are urging on the side of caution in case of another lock-down and opt for a smaller size celebrant-led wedding now, you can always have a large party later, the celebrant could come along and give a blessing too, so that those off the original guest list are finally included!

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‍Amanda-Louise Knight Ceremonies. I am affiliated with and trained at The Institute of Professional Celebrants. I have a wealth of experience as a wedding planner and celebrant and regularly work with clients wanting personalised luxury ceremonies in Somerset and across the UK. Contact me on hello@alkcelebrant.co.uk or 07879 220 046