What is an Intimate Micro Wedding?

With Coronavirus restrictions having a massive impact on the wedding industry, many couples are now being faced with modifying their big celebration to plan a smaller, more intimate occasion. Whilst you might be feeling disappointed with the idea of a small wedding, I want to reassure you that small weddings can be just as special and beautiful as the big wedding you had originally hoped for.

What are the Benefits of a Micro Wedding?

It’s More Relaxing

Planning for a larger event inevitably comes with more responsibilities. A micro wedding can alleviate a lot of the extra stresses of planning a wedding, such as chasing for RSVP’s, planning seating arrangements, collecting food preferences, ensuring there is enough food and drink and adequate entertainment for all your guests…the list goes on! With fewer people to organise, the wedding day itself will also be a much more laid-back affair. You will be able to ditch the strict itinerary and just enjoy the day with your guests.

It’s All About You

Having fewer guests at your wedding means having fewer opinions in the mix and less people to please. Planning a micro wedding forces you to strip back the planning process and allows you to focus on the more truly important aspects of your wedding day; the people you absolutely want by your side and the overall experience you want to create for you and your guests. Fewer guests means fewer expectations and you can choose to celebrate your wedding day how you really want; there are no set rules – your wedding your way!

More Quality Time with Your Guests

Getting to spend time with the people you love is one of the most important aspects of a wedding day. At bigger weddings, it can be hard to find the time to catch up properly with every guest. Fewer guests will mean you will have the time to interact with each and every one of your nearest and dearest. You will be able to enjoy quality time with everyone in attendance instead of just “doing the rounds”.

Your Budget Can Go Further

Reduced numbers of wedding guests naturally mean the cost of your wedding goes down. However, having fewer guests may also mean you being able to stretch your budget further. You may be able to splurge on exciting extras that you wouldn’t have been able to include given a larger guest list. You could opt for an elaborate tasting menu, indulge on florals, splurge on transport or create an extravagant tablescape. The finer details can often get lost in a larger wedding, but micro weddings can give you the chance to really get creative and design the wedding you have always dreamed of without blowing most of your budget on just food and booze!

Tips for Planning Your Micro Wedding

Reducing Your Guest List

One of the most difficult aspects of planning a micro wedding is choosing who to invite. With the current restrictions on weddings meaning numbers are capped at 15, this can be a very challenging and daunting task. Have a real think about who it is you really want there. Who is closest to you and your partner? Scroll through your texts and calls – who have you had the most contact with in the past few months? If this pandemic has taught us anything it is who is really important to us and who truly enriches our lives. Put aside the obligations that you might feel to invite people’s partners and extended family members. Don’t stress about people getting offended. Everyone has been affected by the coronavirus and will understand the difficult predicament you are in.

There are also many other options to explore to help ease the stress of reducing your guest list. Perhaps you could live-stream your ceremony or have other guests join in via Zoom? You could look at having a separate celebration next year to celebrate with everyone who couldn’t be there this year. You could even look at splitting your wedding celebrations over 2 days; for example, a family day and a friend day.

Choosing the Right Venue

A smaller guest list may mean looking for a smaller venue to accommodate your new wedding size. You don’t want to feel “lost” in a setting that is too big and amplifies the small number of guests. Look for a more appropriate space that has the right proportions for an intimate atmosphere. A smaller venue will also be much easier to decorate without the space looking empty.

Get Creative

Fewer wedding guests certainly doesn’t mean your wedding has to lack atmosphere. Take the opportunity to escalate the quality and creativity of your wedding. Include exciting extras to enhance your and your guest’s experiences; such as custom cocktails, involved games, exciting entertaining, elaborate decorations, fine dining menus…go wild!

Focus on What’s Important

I know the prospect of having a smaller wedding may not be what you had hoped for and you may be feeling a little deflated right now, but it is important to focus on the most important aspect of a wedding; getting married to the one you love. A micro wedding might not be what you were dreaming of, but it can still be beautiful and just as special. You can always throw a huge anniversary party, reminiscent of your original wedding plans! Embrace the wonderful fact that despite everything, you can still get married.