Planning a wedding can feel like a Herculean task. From guest lists to seating charts, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But lately, more couples are ditching the big, traditional wedding for something smaller and more intimate: micro weddings and elopements. Couples have been eloping and hosting intimate (micro) weddings for decades. Today, couples have re-vitalized these types of weddings with a modern twist, offering a personalized and meaningful way to celebrate love. Let’s dive into why couples are choosing these options, the benefits they bring, and how they’re reshaping the wedding industry. Plus, we’ll share some tips for planning your own unique celebration.
Why Couples Are Choosing Micro Weddings and Elopements
Couples are opting for micro weddings and elopements for many different reasons. Even before the pandemic, many couples were already moving towards smaller weddings. But, the pandemic accelerated this trend, with restrictions on large gatherings (or gatherings at all) making smaller weddings the norm. Many couples getting married today prioritize experiences over material possessions, and a smaller wedding offers a more meaningful and memorable celebration.
Smaller celebrations offer a more intimate and personalized experience. Without the stress of a large event, it is easier for couples to focus on each other and their love story. Many couples also feel that this relaxed atmosphere makes it easier for their guests to connect with them and enjoy the celebration.
Micro weddings and elopements also allow for more flexibility with location and budget – fewer guests often mean fewer expenses. For intimate weddings, couples may be able to choose a nicer venue or to travel to a destination for their wedding day. For elopements, a couple can say their vows almost anywhere in the world! When only a handful of people are present for the ceremony, the number of beautiful locations to have your ceremony opens up immensely.
Some More Benefits of a Smaller Wedding
Smaller weddings come with unique perks beyond just cost and convenience. One major benefit is the ability to focus on the details. With fewer guests, you can spend more time and effort on creating a wedding that reflects your personality and love story.
It is easier to focus on what they want when they don’t have to think about what 100 guests will be doing while they take sunset photos, if they need to order a cake even though they don’t like sweets, or if Great Uncle Tom will have too many drinks at the open bar. This means the couple can spend more of the budget on what they think is important. This could be a nicer venue, a private chef for dinner, traveling to a bucket-list destination for their honeymoon, or investing in a down payment for a home.
Intimate weddings also foster a more relaxed and connected atmosphere. With a smaller guest list, your loved ones can truly share in your special day, making the experience more meaningful for everyone involved. It’s a chance for everyone to feel present and cherished, rather than lost in the crowd.
How Micro Weddings and Elopements Are Changing the Wedding Industry
The rise of micro weddings and elopements is reshaping the wedding industry. With more couples planning smaller weddings, venues, vendors, and planners are now offering packages tailored to smaller celebrations, providing more intimate and unique options.
The focus of a wedding day has shifted from grand spectacles to creating meaningful, personalized experiences. Couples are focusing more on what they enjoy instead of what is expected of a “traditional wedding”. This is true for both smaller weddings and larger weddings! More and more couples are choosing things like a table of their favorite deserts vs a wedding cake or to have special dances or shout outs for the all the important people in their lives vs just one parent. (I have seen dances with step-parents, both parents, and grandparents. Happy Birthday songs and anniversary announcements. Gifting bouquets to grandparents. And the list goes on.)
This shift emphasizes the couple’s relationship and the commitment they’re making, rather than the event itself. It’s a more intentional approach, where the celebration is about deep connections and authentic moments. It’s about creating a day the couple will enjoy and creating a celebration that is a reflection of the couple getting married.
However, there are some potential downsides that come with the increase in popularity of these types of weddings. Personalization doesn’t come cheap. Unless you are a DIY queen or king, you may get a bit of sticker shock from the cost of having a truly personalized event. The cost difference of renting pre-made signs vs having a custom wood sign with your names in the shape of a national park sign created is significant. With a smaller guest list, you definitely have a bigger budget for these customization options, but know that there still may be limitations.
With the rise in elopements, it is becoming more difficult to have a private elopement at some popular wedding locations. You may need to opt for a weekday wedding and even a sunrise ceremony to have a private wedding at the location of your choice. Also, some vendors will place limits on how far in advance they will book an intimate wedding or elopement. For example, some photographer will only book a weekend elopement within 3 months of the wedding date. (This is typically seen from vendors who do not specialize in elopements. They want to keep the prime weekend spots open for larger events.)
Ideas and Tips for Planning a Meaningful Micro Wedding or Elopement
Planning a micro wedding or elopement opens up endless possibilities for personalization. Here are some tips to make your day uniquely yours:
Choose a Meaningful Location
Whether it’s a mountaintop, a secluded beach, or your favorite park, pick a location that speaks to you as a couple and offers a beautiful backdrop for your ceremony. You can choose to get married in a place that is sentimental to you like the place you met or where you got engaged or your favorite vacation destination. Alternatively, you could elope somewhere you have never been before! Choose a destination off your travel bucket list and get married there!
Keep the Guest List Intimate
This is the name of the game when it comes to micro weddings and elopements. Invite only your closest family and friends, or consider just the two of you. Being surrounded by only your closest people helps keep the focus on your love and makes the day more personal.
Personalize Your Ceremony
With less people present, you will feel more comfortable personalizing your ceremony. The ideas here are really endless, but here are some to get your ideas flowing: write your own vows, choose music that you love or is meaningful, have a friend or family member perform the ceremony, have a fun unity ceremony (shots anyone?) or incorporate a special ritual that reflects your relationship. Make the ceremony truly yours.
Celebrate in Your Way
Plan a romantic dinner, a small reception, or a fun activity you both love. Whether it’s hiking, getting new tattoos, or stargazing in a hot tub, make sure the celebration feels special to you. Or do it all! Plan a fun activity for just the two of you after the ceremony, have dinner with your closest friend and family, then celebrate with everyone you want with a reception the next day!
Making Your Micro Wedding or Elopement Feel Special
Even a small wedding can be extraordinary. Here’s how to make your day unforgettable:
- Include Family/Cultural Traditions: Just because you are having an intimate affair does not mean you have to skip on the wedding traditions you enjoy. If you are Polish, have your parents give you bread and salt during your reception. Include attire in your wedding day that is traditional to your culture (kilts, kimonos, moccasins). Carry your grandmother’s hankie or your dad’s pocket watch on your wedding day. If there is a tradition you love and want to include, do it!
- Hire a Photographer: Nothing makes your wedding day more official than having someone there to document it. They can be there for only a few hours or the whole day. Memories get fuzzy over time and having the photographs to look back at will only become more special as time goes on.
- Include Your Favorite People: It maybe be your family or just some really close friends. Celebrating with the people you love the most can make your day feel even more special. You can invite them as guests, or face time them, or read letters from them during your day.
- Splurge on Key Elements: Invest in what matters most, like a gourmet meal or a helicopter tour, to make your day feel luxurious and memorable. If you are on a budget, choose one or two things to really splurge on!
- Enjoy Each Other: Take time to celebrate your love. Micro weddings and elopements offer you more time on your wedding day to enjoy each other. Remember to take time to just sit in the moment and take it all in!
Conclusion
Micro weddings and elopements are more than a trend – they’re a meaningful shift towards personal, intimate celebrations of love. If you’re considering a smaller wedding, focus on what truly matters to you and create a day that reflects your values and relationship. Remember, it’s about the connection, not the spectacle. As the poet Rumi said, “Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.” Celebrate your love in a way that’s authentically you.
