Why Have a Micro Wedding? 7 Benefits of a Small Wedding vs Big Wedding
You have so many decisions to make when planning a wedding. One of the most significant ones–that impacts essentially every other decision–is whether to go big or keep it small. Keep reading to dive into the differences between a small wedding vs big wedding and find answers to common questions to help you decide if the benefits of a micro wedding make sense for you.
First Things First: What’s Considered a Micro Wedding?
You’re likely familiar with “big” weddings–they’re traditional celebrations with 75 to 300 guests, although most weddings fall within the 100-150 guest range. So, what’s considered a micro wedding? And is a micro wedding the same as a small wedding?
A “micro” wedding typically means 10-30 people total, whereas a “small” wedding can accommodate up to 50 guests. The most significant difference is that with 50 guests, you’ll likely still need a traditional venue and caterer. On the other hand, if you only invite 10 people, you have more flexibility to get creative with the details. However, for the purpose of this article, I use the terms interchangeably to mean a celebration with 50 or fewer people.
How Do You Decide Between a Small Wedding vs Big Wedding?
Deciding whether to have a small wedding vs big wedding is a personal choice that depends on several factors, including your budget, guest list, and preferences.
1. Budget
Your budget is one of the most important factors when deciding between a small or big wedding. A small wedding can be more cost-effective, as you'll have fewer guests to accommodate, so you'll spend less on catering, decor, and other wedding-related expenses. On the other hand, a big wedding can be more expensive, as you'll need to budget for a larger venue, more food and drinks, and additional entertainment.
2. Guest List
The size of your guest list is another crucial factor to consider. If you have a large family or social circle, you may feel obligated to invite everyone, which can quickly add up to a big wedding. However, a small wedding may be the way to go if you prefer a more intimate celebration with only your closest family and friends.
3. Personal Preferences
Your personal preferences and wedding vision should also play a role in your decision. If you've always dreamed of a grand wedding with a big bridal party, a large venue, and a DJ or band, a big wedding may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more relaxed, intimate atmosphere with a focus on meaningful moments, a small wedding may be more your style.
What is the Disadvantage of a Small Wedding?
For most couples, the main disadvantage of a micro wedding is not getting to invite all your friends and family members. With a limited guest list, you may have to “break some hearts” and explain why they’re not getting an invite. This can be uncomfortable, and, for some, it’s easier just to appease everyone with a large celebration.
7 Benefits of a Micro Wedding or Small Celebration
So, why have a micro wedding? Even with the hard task of cutting a guest list to under 50, these seven benefits of a small wedding can quickly outweigh the disadvantages.
Intimate atmosphere: A smaller guest list creates an intimate atmosphere, and you have more time to spend with each of your guests, creating meaningful memories and connections.
Budget-friendly: Micro weddings are super budget-friendly because everything is on a smaller scale. You still have dinner but only have to feed 25 people instead of 125. You still have a wedding cake, but it doesn’t need to be a massive three-tiered statement piece (unless you want it to be, of course).
Personalization: With fewer guests, you have more opportunities to personalize your wedding and make it truly unique to you and your partner.
More venue options: Small weddings are typically more flexible in terms of venue options. You can choose from unique spaces that may not be able to accommodate larger events, like an Airbnb house, rooftop restaurant, or your favorite museum.
Less stress: Planning a smaller wedding can be less stressful, as there are fewer logistics to manage and details to worry about. However, I still recommend hiring a wedding planner to make it as stress-free as possible.
Eco-friendly: If you want a sustainable wedding option, small is the way to go. Micro weddings are typically more eco-friendly because they result in less waste and a smaller carbon footprint.
Flexibility: With fewer people to please, you can be more creative with the timeline and flow of the day. For example, rather than rushing through your couple’s photoshoot to get back to your guests, you can plan an extended time with your micro wedding photographer because the entire event is less rigid.
How to Have a Micro Wedding or Small Celebration
If all those benefits of a small wedding have you convinced, the next question is how to have a micro wedding that’s everything you’ve dreamed of and more. Here are five tips to ensure you plan a spectacular small celebration.
Determine your guest list: Decide the number of guests you want to invite and who you want to include. You might also consider writing a letter explaining your reason for having a small wedding to share with those who aren’t invited should they express any disappointment.
Choose a venue: This is one of the most fun aspects of having a small wedding vs big wedding. You can get creative with an out-of-the-box venue that isn’t even a venue, such as a backyard, national park, restaurant, or vacation rental.
Set a budget: With fewer guests, you can allocate more of your budget to areas that are important to you. For example, to ensure you get stunning photos, you can put more money toward a professional small wedding photographer and spend less on food and drinks, going with snacks and finger foods over a sit-down dinner.
Personalize the details: With a smaller guest list, you have more opportunities to personalize the details and make your wedding unique. Consider adding personal touches such as handwritten place cards or customized favors.
Consider live streaming: If you have loved ones who are unable to attend in person, consider live streaming the ceremony so they can still be a part of your special day.
Need a Small Wedding Photographer to Capture Every Moment of Your Big Day?
As a professional micro wedding photographer, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities of capturing the intimacy and personalization of a smaller celebration. Whether you want candid moments or posed portraits, my mission is to bring your love story to life through images you’ll cherish forever. If you're ready to book a small wedding photographer who can capture the beauty and emotion of your big day, I'm here to help. Contact me today to learn more about my wedding photography services and schedule your consultation.
