What is a Micro Wedding?

October 8, 2023

Hey friends! We’re kicking off the microWED collective site launch by answering the question that so many couples are asking these days: what is a micro wedding, anyway? Should I have one?

If you've been daydreaming about your wedding day, chances are you've stumbled upon the buzz about these tiny celebrations. They're all the rage these days, and for good reason! There are so many benefits to going small: less overwhelm, more venue options, less expense (or more money to go around!), the list goes on and that’s why we’re so passionate about them.

Our journey into the world of micro weddings began from a deeply personal place. After planning and experiencing one ourselves, we were inspired to create microWED collective. Two things stuck out - first, it was sort of hard to plan a micro wedding. I felt like everything was created for big, grand weddings and that just wasn’t what I was after. Frankly, I started to feel a bit left out, like I was going to miss out on something if I didn’t do it the way everyone else was. Fortunately, we stayed the course with the smaller guest list, and the day turned out amazing which is the second reason why I wanted to create this community. I would hands down do it all over again and coming out of that experience I became super passionate about helping others who have decided to go down this path.

Welcome to microWED collective 💕

Defining the Micro Wedding Magic

So, what exactly is a micro wedding? A micro wedding typically hosts anywhere from 10 to 50 guests, keeping the guest count intentionally small. That’s it! Guest count is the only thing that separates a wedding from a micro wedding 🤯

Micro weddings took off primarily out of necessity during the pandemic and they’ve since become quite the trend. In fact, some predictions say that the smaller format is going to continue to increase in popularity as the years go on. Some quick stats for ya:

  • The hashtag “#microwedding” has been viewed over 140 million times as of July 2023
  • Google Trends shows a continued increase in searches related to micro weddings since (not surprisingly) mid-2020

Let’s dig in!

The Appeal of a Small Wedding

Now that you know what a more intimate celebration entails, the big question is, should you have one? TBH, I’m not going to try to sway you because I truly believe that the best thing you can do is have the wedding that you dream of, but I will provide some of my thinking to help you make the decision you feel is right for you.

Here are a few reasons why a micro wedding might just be the perfect fit for you:

  1. Intimacy: With fewer guests, you can connect on a deeper level with each and every person present - aka you will actually have time to spend with all of your guests!
  2. Budget-Friendly: A smaller guest count often means a more manageable budget, allowing you to allocate your resources where they matter most. It’s important to note that while you can make a micro wedding less expensive its more about making the money that you do have to spend on a wedding go further. There’s more to go around when you’re not feeding 150 people!
  3. More Venue Options: this is absolutely my favorite topic! You will have so many venue options. I realize that can sound overwhelming, but trust me it’s the best part. We’ll be digging into venues in a big way on this site with lots of helpful resources, including venue listings, to help you narrow it down!
  4. Personalization: With fewer logistics to worry about, you can focus on adding personal touches that make the day uniquely yours. Less people = less complexity, simple as that. This allows you to put your focus on the things that matter most.
  5. Less Stress: Planning an intimate affair can be less overwhelming, giving you more time to enjoy the journey towards your big day. Overwhelm can come in many forms - too many details, too many people, too much to think about - I cringe recalling all of the emotions that came with planning. Going smaller can help in a lot of ways, and using microWED collective as your one-stop-shop for all things planning will definitely help too!

Free Micro Wedding Planning Guide

Get our free 19-page, no-fluff guide and get totally set up to bring your micro wedding vision to life. Find your theme, set your budget, create your guest list, choose a date, and find your venue!

What a Micro Wedding is Not

It's essential to clarify that a small wedding is not about limitations or compromises on your dream celebration. It's not about cutting corners or sacrificing what's important to you. Instead, it's an intentional choice to prioritize connection and intimacy over sheer numbers. A micro wedding is not a lesser version of a traditional wedding; it's a reimagining of what a wedding can be, focusing on the heart of the matter: your love story. Just a friendly reminder, and something that is so so important to consider as you decide whether to go micro or not.

So, is a small wedding for you?

The beauty of weddings lies in their diversity. Whether you're envisioning a grand extravaganza or an intimate gathering, what truly matters is that it reflects your love story. Consider what resonates with you and your partner. Does the idea of an intimate celebration tug at your heartstrings? Does the thought of being able to spend quality time with all your guests bring a smile to your face? Do you have your eye on a unique location that can only accommodate 30 people. If yes, then a micro wedding might just be your match made in wedding heaven!

Ready to dive in? Check out our next blog where we start talking about how to plan a micro wedding.

The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Stunning Micro Wedding

Welcome to microWED collective - we can’t wait to be with you every step of the way 🥂

A tree planting unity ceremony.
A ski resort micro wedding reception.
Author Bio
Jennie Swenson is a former micro wedding bride, and she now supports countless couples in planning their own intimate celebrations through her blog, featuring real micro wedding stories and a curated vendor directory. Her practical advice and firsthand experience make her a go-to resource for those seeking to create memorable and meaningful micro weddings.

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