Interestingly, over the past few years, the sphere of weddings has changed considerably.
There is a tendency toward having fewer attendees in the wedding ceremony and reception: more and more people prefer to have so-called micro-weddings, which are at least wonderful settings for a small number of guests. Because of this trend, the intimacy of a small wedding is combined with the richness of famous places, which is attractive for young couples.
Regardless of whether the couple is renting a stately home or a vineyard or getting married in a small budget hotel, micro weddings give couples the best of both worlds: glamor and seclusion.
Now let’s find out why it is becoming more and more popular and how to organize an unforgettable event.
What Is a Micro-Wedding?
In simple terms, a micro-wedding is a mini version of the standard wedding and it is attended by a number of guests not exceeding 50.
While elopements completely exclude many grand ceremonial aspects, such as dinners and dances, micro-weddings contain ceremonies and often dinners, and sometimes the first dance as well.
Even though the number of people is fewer, couples can give attention to establishing the atmosphere that is memorable without compromising on all the beautiful things that traditionally come with weddings.
Why Are Couples Opting for Micro-Weddings?
The surge in micro-weddings could be attributed to functional, individualistic, and hedonic motivations.
Let’s break down the reasons why more couples are saying “I do” to smaller celebrations:
1. A Personalized Experience
Couples require minimal guest numbers and this keeps everything open for couples as they book the services of their choice. While catering, décor, and even invitations are often pre-selected, micro-wedding is a great opportunity to go bespoke. This will make it easier to spend more time with each guest, make personal moments instead of making a ‘we-greet-hundreds-of-people’ impression.
2. Luxurious Touches
Smaller events enable you to find ways to invest in the finer trappings. Just like what is associated with high end catering services, fabulous flower arrangements and stunning photography. Most couples also choose expensive venues that could hardly accommodate many people, however, for a wedding, it is acceptable. This has the advantage of increasing the quality of the crowd because usually, it is difficult to quantity quality at the same time.
3. Budget Flexibility
A micro-wedding is not about cutting on costs, it’s about being wiser when it comes to spending. This way, a bride and a groom, having narrowed the number of people to invite, can afford an amazing place, a gorgeous dress, or any other significant point while the total sum stays the same. It is a good way to get the most of things yet without having to do away with the elegance of the day.
4. Better Guest Engagement
The small celebration makes sense and strengthens the bonds in a given community. Of course, people are not only faces in a crowd; they are participants of the special day of two loving hearts. Whether people decide to toast glasses together, share a good laugh during dinner or just hold hands during the dance, micro-weddings do feel special.
5. Post-Pandemic Preferences
The global pandemic paved the way to redefinition of a traditional wedding due to the rise of couples who opted for this format. Quarantined people initially had to have a small presence on video due to limits on large gatherings; but many enjoyed the experience so much that even when restrictions on the number of guests were lifted most chose to have a small wedding.
How to Plan a Luxurious Micro-Wedding
Although the number of people participating is significantly lower compared to larger weddings, micro-weddings can be equally opulent and splendid.
Here are some practical tips to help you craft a day that’s both intimate and luxurious:
1. Choose a Show-Stopping Venue
Generally, your venue determines the overall mood of the entire event, so get a proper location. From the sea cliff to the palace roof of a big city, it will have numerous opportunities. To make your wedding or event one to be remembered, look for places that give an option of a customized venue where you get the entire place to yourself and all your guests.
2. Be Picky While Inviting Guest
Intimacy is perhaps one of the defining features of a micro-wedding. Have only those friends that are very dear to you—immediate family members and friends that you truly would like to celebrate with. A small group means many more people are cared for, and every individual has a feeling that they are wanted there.
3. Invest in the Details
Having fewer guests, you can concentrate on designing moments that have the potential to make a big difference. Treat yourself with pricey mixed drinks when it comes to alcohol, fine tablecloths or a string orchestra, depending on the ambiance of the venue. The best way to look at your wedding is as a chance to invite those you care for most to indulge in your favorite vices.
4. Make It Personal
Those small things make a wedding turn into not only a memorable occasion. From the words you want to say to each other to certain traditions you wish to uphold, keep your souvenir fitting to the theme of your special day. It just gives the day a more personal touch and demonstrates to those in attendance that you are grateful for them.
5. Hire a Wedding Planner
Like organizing any wedding, micro-weddings involve coordination, or else they will not be weddings at all. An independent planner can assist with all the specifics of the execution, can find the best vendors and, thus, make sure that your dream is properly realized. For the greatest outcomes from their experience, search for someone with experience in intimate events.
Examples of gorgeous micro weddings.
Shows that being intimate does not mean lack of luxury, engaged couples from all over the world have come up with new ways of holding ‘small’ weddings.
For instance, take two people who were able to contract matrimony in the course of a COVID-19-like pandemic and had a micro wedding at a vineyard located in Napa Valley. An intimate event with only thirty people in attendance, there were wine tastings and a band that played with the soft lighting infusing the predominantly white venue.
Yet another couple had a very small wedding at a medieval fortress in Scotland. The limited number of participants made it possible to offer them a several-stroke dinner as well as an incredible night at the castle rooms and suites.
The stories show that consummation does not have to imply that the wedding must be basic.
However, the opportunity arises to build an experience that is unique, elegant and full of luxury.
The Future of Micro-Weddings
The fanatical ‘micro-wedding’ craze is not showing any signs of fading out any time soon.
As aspiring brides and grooms focus on the value without quantity, the classics like small yet luxurious weddings will only gain popularity. Whether you’re planning a micro-wedding in a grand location or simply looking for inspiration, remember: It’s your day, and if you both are in love, then you should have your love story told in every aspect of the day.
When you put importance on what is important: your relationship and your friends, you can achieve a celebration that you would never forget.