When planning a wedding, there are a lot of things to consider to make the vision of your special day become a reality. If a massive, traditional wedding is not what you had in mind, there is a fantastic alternative that is equally beautiful and intimate.
Micro weddings are changing the way couples everywhere do weddings, and it is easy to see why. From budget flexibility and less stress to planning freedom and more quality time with guests, it is no wonder why micro weddings are a popular route to take. Learn more about micro weddings and how to plan your own with this helpful guide full of tips and tricks.
Generally speaking, micro weddings are complete with an average of 10 to 50 guests, though this number tends to vary depending on the preferences of the couple and the policies of the venue. These guests usually only include close friends and family members instead of an extensive guest list.
Micro weddings are often confused with elopements and minimonies, though there are differences that set them apart. Elopements typically only include the marrying couple, the officiant and perhaps a witness. Minimonies are similar to micro weddings in terms of guest size for the ceremony. However, minimonies include a much larger reception after the ceremony with extended guests, while micro weddings involve the same, limited number of guests from the start to finish of the event.
Traditional weddings are often considered to be a huge investment. In fact, the average cost of a traditional wedding today is upward of about $30,000. When facing such an expense, it is no wonder a lot of couples are left wondering if a massive celebration is really worth it.
Couples that want to keep all of the traditional aspects of a wedding while celebrating in a more budget-friendly manner find micro weddings to be the perfect solution. Micro weddings tend to range from as low as $1,500 to as high as $10,000. This makes a huge difference when it comes to the investment couples feel is ideal for achieving their dream wedding. They do not have to sacrifice a celebration for their special day because it is more attainable for them compared to the alternatives.
There are many reasons why more and more couples are choosing to have a micro wedding for their special day.
Since micro weddings are smaller, they can be much less costly by default, which is nice for those who wish to keep everything sweet and simple. But that doesn’t mean you can’t plan an extravagant, luxe celebration if you so desire. Whether you want to keep costs to a minimum or wish to go all out, micro weddings allow you the ultimate flexibility to do what you feel is right within your budget.
The smaller the wedding, the more intimate it becomes. Micro weddings are an excellent option for those who wish to spend quality time with their closest family and friends on their special day. You will have the chance to interact with all of your guests much more than simply taking only a couple of minutes to say hello during the entire duration of the event. The smaller number of guests is also a plus for those who do not feel comfortable being the center of attention in larger crowds.
While traditional weddings often come with certain expectations, micro weddings provide a whole other planning experience. Couples have the chance to plan something more suited to their personal tastes, allowing them to make more creative and unique choices for their wedding. They can select unconventional venues, run the day on a more relaxed schedule and skip any formalities they choose to create a day that is genuinely their own.
As micro weddings are done on a much smaller scale than traditional weddings, many couples find they help reduce the stress of planning altogether. Since there are fewer guests to keep track of, there is a reduced amount of everything including invitations and responses, seating, menu choices, table favors and other details. Less stress allows couples to enjoy their wedding day and enjoy the planning experience, as well.
While some couples feel their wedding provides an opportunity to make a grand entrance into their married lives, this is not the case for everyone. A lot of couples choose to have a micro wedding to place emphasis on the whole reason they are celebrating — their love and devotion to one another. Micro weddings allow couples to eliminate any details they feel are unnecessary or take away from the true meaning of their special day.
If a micro wedding sounds right for you and yours, you may be wondering where to start. This list can help you get on track to planning your special day from start to finish.
When getting ready to plan a wedding, it can be easy to get lost among the many details you can include. Make a list with your fiance to learn about one another’s must-haves for the big day and decide which ones should be the top priorities. You can then add in any extras once you have figured out the components that are simply non-negotiable to make your dream wedding a reality.
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Since your wedding will be much smaller, you will be able to splurge on things you may not have been able to with a large wedding. You can also be more creative with every aspect of your event, from the venue to the wardrobe. A micro wedding gives you the chance to really run free with how you envision your special day to be, making it all the more special in the end.
Setting a budget is an important first step to micro wedding planning. This will allow you to determine a feasible investment you can make and help ensure you do not exceed that amount. The beauty of micro weddings is that you can set the budget as high or as low as you see fit and have an extraordinary wedding day all the same.
Take some time to sit down with your partner and determine how much you are willing to set aside for every detail of the event, from the invitations to the venue and everything in between.
The venue is one of the key components to planning your ideal micro wedding. One of the nicest things about having a smaller wedding is the ability to hold your event in places that larger weddings cannot. Choose the venue before sending out your invitations. Venues tend to vary when it comes to how many people are able to attend, so it is important to keep that in mind.
Seek out a venue that you both adore and tailor your guest list around the accommodations. That way, you are not met with having invited more people than the capacity of the venue.
A lot of venues also offer packaged deals for micro weddings. This means that other important components, such as food, wedding planning and other services may be provided by the venue as a part of the overall cost. This can be extremely helpful when pulling together all of the wedding plans.
Micro weddings are considered to be much more intimate and less expensive for the simple reason that the number of people in attendance is limited. As you are finalizing your list of invitees, be selective in whom you choose to include.
Agree on the number of people that fits within the capacity limits of your chosen venue and go from there. Discuss all of the options with your fiancé and decide who you want in attendance the most. Most couples prioritize their lists beginning with family and then friends. When making these decisions, think about who will help to make the day even more happy and memorable with their presence.
Be sure to send out save the dates to your specially selected guests to give them enough notice that your wedding is coming up. You can always follow with formal invitations that include additional information for the wedding at a later date.
Regardless of the size of the wedding, every married couple should feel their absolute best as they say, “I do.” Whether you opt for a gorgeous ball gown or tuxedo, an adorable mid-length dress or a handsome pantsuit, the attire should be a reflection of your own style and preferences.
There are no rules for micro weddings, which means your attire could be the most expensive and luxurious item in the room or the most simplistic if you so choose. You can base your attire on the color palette you chose or a special theme you wish to translate throughout the wedding. Whatever you decide, make sure you feel nothing short of incredible while you are wearing it to marry the love of your life.
It also helps to designate a particular type of attire for your guests, as well. No matter if you are allowing casual dress or wish to see formal wear only, be sure to indicate this with your wedding invitation information. This will also help guests to feel less confused about what they should wear to honor you and your spouse on your wedding day.
Every couple wants their wedding day to be special, stress-free and as flawless as possible. Just because your wedding is smaller than the traditional, you don’t have to plan everything alone.
Consider hiring a professional wedding planner to help you manage all of the ins and outs of planning. From helping you find the perfect venue to helping you select the perfect flowers, planners are experts at paying attention to every last detail. If there is something you would like to have for your wedding day, your planner will do their best to help make it a reality. They can also help make sure everything runs smoothly when it is time to walk down the aisle.
This will give you more time to focus on enjoying the planning and any events leading up to the big day instead of feeling completely overwhelmed.
Your wedding will be a day to remember. Help preserve the most precious moments at your micro wedding by hiring a photographer and videographer. Having a smaller, more intimate wedding can offer the opportunity for more beautifully unique shots.
Some photographers and videographers may be willing to work out a custom package that is best suited for your specific needs based on the size, amount of time needed and the number of shots desired. This can really help you save on professional photos that you will surely cherish for years to come.
Every wedding, no matter the size, deserves beautiful decor to enhance the venue. An advantage to micro weddings is that you do not have to break the bank trying to decorate. A lot of venues that are geared toward micro weddings already provide the ideal backdrop. You can then add your own personal touches with simple floral arrangements and other decorative items.
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If you need inspiration, a lot can be found on the internet for any sort of micro wedding imaginable. Whether you want romantic charm or have a unique theme in mind, there are tons of ideas to run with for bringing in those elements.
No matter the size of the wedding, an officiant is a necessity. There are many different officiants out there today offering a wide range of wedding services. Whether you want a religious officiant, a civil officiant or know someone who has simply been certified as an officiant, there is someone perfect for the job.
Look around your area at different options for officiants and choose the one that seems to match you as a couple the best. Be sure to secure your officiant well before the wedding to ensure your nuptials will be official.
Music and dancing are considered by many couples an important part of the event. Consider hiring a professional DJ to help you celebrate with your family and friends. They will be able to help make announcements, such as when it is time to cut the cake or time for the first dance as newlyweds, keeping everything running smoothly.
You can also personalize your music selections. If you absolutely do not like rap music but love classical, discuss this with your DJ. They will be more than happy to help you select a playlist that will please you and your guests.
Want to make your intimate micro wedding feel even more close-knit and special? Opt for a band instead of a DJ. Lean toward something acoustic so your music selections can fit the closeness of your smaller guest list on the dance floor.
Games are becoming all the rage when it comes to entertainment, and a smaller guest list lets you enjoy these fun moments together. The Wedding Shoe Game is a popular activity that tests the couple’s knowledge of one another. They will be asked questions such as who is the best cook and respond without seeing one another’s answers — but the guests will. Moments such as this will offer up a few laughs for everyone in the room.
A micro wedding means fewer guests to feed. This gives you the chance to have the flexibility to choose a menu that will surely wow your guests without costing a fortune. You could also offer your guests more options to choose from so everyone gets a more personalized meal as opposed to only two or three dinner options.
Since micro weddings play by their own rules, you are not going to be confined to what traditional wedding guests expect as far as food and beverage. Check with your venue to see what tasty menu options they have for you to choose from. Most venues that also provide the catering will do their best to provide you with a satisfying and mouthwatering meal on your special day.
Even though your wedding is smaller, it is still a wedding all the same. Be sure to include instructions for your guests regarding gifting ideas with a registry. This will be helpful to those who are unsure if they should bring gifts to your event because of the size. Those who would like to contribute to your new life together will have a guide for what you and your partner could use the most, taking pressure away from trying to select the perfect gift.
Intimate micro weddings allow you to infuse more personal touches into your big day. Consider writing your own vows for one another at the ceremony. Include your dog in the wedding by assigning it to be the ring bearer if the venue allows it. Wear something that your mother or grandmother wore on the day she got married.
Micro weddings provide the perfect opportunity to incorporate sentimental details at every point of your day, making it all the more memorable and meaningful for you and your guests, as well.
A smaller guest list means you have the flexibility to add more unique and meaningful touches to the guest experience. Include a handwritten note at the place setting of each guest, thanking them for being there for your special day.
Maybe you would like to create your own invitations to send out instead of having them printed or bought in the store. Maybe have their favorite drink waiting for them at the table or play their favorite song when it’s time to dance. There are a lot of ways to show your guests their presence means so much more to you than just simply being a witness to your vows.
To ensure everyone gets a personalized experience, you could add questions to your invitation responses or wedding website. Ask guests what songs they’d like to hear, what food and drink they prefer or if they have any stories about you or your fiancé they’d like to share at the reception.
Located in the beautiful valleys of central Pennsylvania, Colonial Golf and Tennis Club is the ideal location for your special day. We offer several options for your outdoor micro wedding, which can be seamlessly moved indoors in the event of inclement weather.
Our friendly and talented staff will work with you every step of the way to help you plan the perfect wedding for you and yours. With professional, on-site catering, setup and linens, outdoor photo opportunities, bridal suite accommodations and more, we provide everything you need to make your day magical and one to remember for years to come.
For more information on how Colonial Golf and Tennis Club can create your ideal micro wedding, please contact us today. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have!