Who says you need a big guest list to have the wedding day of your dreams? Meet the micro wedding: These intimate celebrations have 30 or fewer guests, so you can celebrate your love with the most important people in your life. And since many wedding costs are tied to guest count, a smaller scale wedding can open up your budget for an extra-special experience. Whether you’re engaged or planning your betrothal,  our step-by-step guide will make planning your micro wedding a piece of cake.

Commemorate your love story with an intimate celebration.

1. Create an Approximate Guest Count

When planning micro weddings, each guest counts. Consider whether you want a small wedding of 25-30 guests, or an intimate elopement with your closest family members. Set expectations early so you can avoid over-promising invitations to your friends and family. 

2. Determine Your Budget

Your budget is the key to making decisions along your planning journey. Micro weddings cost significantly less than large weddings and can be as affordable as $5,000 or less. Many vendors are not dependent on guest count, so consider how many bells and whistles you’d like to have. Your location is a factor, too. For example, a micro wedding in a Los Angeles or New York with luxury catering, live music, videography, and designer gowns will cost more than a rural backyard elopement. If you’ve been dreaming of a luxury wedding, a small guest count can make it work for your budget. 

3. Find Your Wedding Vibe

From summertime soirees to international escapes, the possibilities are as boundless as your love. Consider your location, level of formality, and time of year. You might also want to choose a wedding theme to guide your planning, such as farmhouse chic or garden party. 

The sky is the limit when planning a smaller wedding.

4. Find Your Venue

Traditional weddings are often limited to country clubs, hotels, and other large venues. By planning a micro wedding, you can unlock a whole new world of unique locations and romantic settings. Read on for more ideas to consider when planning your nuptials.

National Parks & Public Parks

National parks offer stunning views and an unforgettable atmosphere for nature-loving couples. In your own town or city, public parks can provide a convenient escape with lush greenery. Make sure to check your local guidelines to obtain any necessary permits.

Backyards

A backyard can provide the perfect atmosphere for an intimate celebration, from family homes to Airbnb or VRBO rentals. If you’re renting, make sure to ask the host for permission. 

Private Yachts

Treat your guests to an unforgettable experience on the water by renting a private yacht or other boat for your wedding. 

Restaurants

Celebrate your love with your favorite cuisine. Many restaurants offer private dining rooms for parties, while others may allow you to book the entire establishment.

Boutique Hotels

Small hotels and bed and breakfasts can provide an intimate, convenient atmosphere. Your guests may even be able to stay on-site.

Resorts

Domestic and international resorts often offer wedding packages with full accommodations. Bonus: You could extend your stay to double as a honeymoon.

How to Choose Your Venue Type

Are you itching to plan every wedding day detail, or ready to pass the reins to your venue? Some venues offer all-inclusive wedding packages with catering, staff, décor, and more. Others are more barebones, so you can fully customize the day to fit your vision and budget. Consider factors like venue rental fees, amenities, indoor or outdoor spaces, and whether you’d like to have room for a dance floor.

Decide on Your Ceremony Location

Choose whether you’d like the ceremony to be at the same location as your reception or different. Many venues allow ceremonies, but you could also say your vows in a courthouse or place or worship before moving to the reception venue. 

Book Your Date

Once you’ve found the perfect place for your wedding needs and budget, all that’s left to do is book the date! While Saturday is the most popular day for weddings, consider what day of the week will work for your guests. Many venues provide a discount for Fridays, Sundays, or weekdays. 

The right vendors can help you bring your dreams to life.

5. Find Your Vendors

Determine what you need for your wedding vs what you want. One of the benefits of micro weddings is that by reducing the guest count, you free up more room in your budget for what matters most to you. Read on for some considerations to keep in mind while choosing vendors for your big day.

Catering

Whether it’s a casual brunch spread or a four-course dinner, plan to provide a meal for your guests as well as any vendors. If catering isn’t included in your venue package, you’ve got options. Consider hiring a catering company, ordering catering trays from your favorite restaurant, or booking a food truck for the day. Consider providing alcohol, whether you purchase an open bar package or simply buy wine and beer to serve to your guests. Make sure to check your venue’s restrictions for catering and alcohol. Don’t forget your wedding cake—if it’s not included in catering, your local bakery can create a sweet masterpiece.

Photography 

Wedding photographers help your big day last forever and preserve memories with the people you love most. You could also hire a videographer or social media content creator to capture your big day. For a budget-friendly option, hire a photographer for just the ceremony instead of the whole day, or ask a camera-savvy guest to take photos.

Hair & Makeup

Do you feel your best when you’re pampered by professionals? You might want to hire a hair and/or makeup artist. If you prefer to DIY your glam, visit your local makeup counter to find the best color match for your skin. 

Florals

From boutonnieres and bouquets to full floral arches, decide what décor you need for your big day. A florist can create beautiful custom work to bring your dream to life. Silk floral bouquets and retailers such as Costco and Trader Joe’s can provide more budget-friendly options.

Entertainment

Do you dream of walking down the aisle to a string trio, or dancing to pop hits all night long? There are entertainments for every budget, from DJs to live musicians to Spotify playlists.

Celebrate your love with your closest friends and family cheering you on.

6. Create Your Registry and Wedding Website

A wedding website is a great way to keep all the information your guests will need in one place. Include important details like dress code, timeline, RSVP, and directions to the venue. The website can also host your wedding registry. If you don’t want physical gifts, cash funds are a great option. Guests can contribute to your honeymoon, a down payment on a home, or other important expenses.

7. Invite Your Loved Ones

Most of the work is done, so now it’s time to invite your guests. Revisit the list you made at the beginning of your wedding planning process and decide if any changes need to be made. Determine if you will invite any children and/or plus ones. You may send a traditional paper invitation, which makes for a beautiful keepsake for years to come, or create an evite. 

8. Find Your Attire

You and your partner should look and feel your best on your big day. Decide what level of formality works for your venue and vision: Do you want to feel like royalty in a full ball gown or tuxedo, or something more casual? There are wedding attire options for every budget, from custom designs to dress and suit rentals. Don’t forget about accessories!

This thin gold stacker wedding band complements the sparkle of the Marquise Jenna engagement ring.

9. Choose Your Wedding Rings

Find wedding bands to accompany your engagement ring and serve as lasting tokens of your love. Consider creating custom pieces as a symbol of your unique love story.

10. Find a Place to Stay

If you’re getting married out of town, make sure to book a hotel or Airbnb for two nights so you have a home base during the wedding day. For local celebrations, consider booking a honeymoon suite to make your wedding night extra special.

11. Plan Your Honeymoon

Whether you’re dreaming of a tropical vacation or a relaxing weekend trip, decide how you’ll celebrate with your new spouse. You might want to book your honeymoon now, or use your registry as a honeymoon fund and book it after the wedding.

Finishing touches make your big day shine even brighter.

12. Make it Official

No wedding is complete without a little paperwork. Secure your officiant, whether you’re having a religious ceremony or have a friend who’s an ordained minister. Don’t forget to obtain your marriage license.

13. Create a Day-of Plan

Even the smallest celebrations have many moving parts. A day-of-coordinator can make the day run seamlessly, or you could entrust a friend or family member to coordinate with wedding vendors and guests.

14. Tie the Knot

You did it—you planned your micro wedding to perfection, and the day you’ve been dreaming of is finally here! Have trust in your vendors and support system and enjoy every moment of your special day with the people you love most.  

Micro weddings let you focus on what’s important: you and your partner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to plan a rehearsal dinner?

If your wedding requires a rehearsal, you should plan to provide dinner for everyone who’s in your wedding. It doesn’t need to be formal: A brief walk-through of the ceremony, followed by pizza and beer, is perfectly acceptable. You could also invite all your wedding guests to a celebratory dinner the night before. But if your ceremony is very simple, your officiant should be able to guide you through it without a rehearsal.

Do I need a wedding party?

It’s up to you, but consider the proportion of guests to your wedding party. If you only have ten guests, it might seem odd for half of them to be in the wedding party. You may choose to have only a maid of honor and/or best man, or forgo a wedding party altogether.

Do I need to send save-the-dates?

One of the perks of planning a micro wedding is that you can forgo sending formal save-the-date cards, if you desire. 

How far in advance should I plan my micro wedding?

Micro weddings can often be planned more quickly than large weddings, but not always. Popular venues might be booked six months to a year in advance. For a backyard wedding, you may just need a few months to coordinate vendors and give your guests time to plan. As a rule of thumb, the more elaborate the wedding, the longer the planning period will be. 

Dainty details meet classic elegance with the Colbie and Nicole bands.

At the end of the day, your wedding is all about you and your partner. Focus on what’s in your control, stay true to your vision and budget, and the rest will fall into place. Remember: Your wedding is only one day, but the memories you make last forever. Celebrate your union with wedding bands to represent your enduring love, because every love story deserves to be celebrated. For more wedding and engagement tips, how to care for your diamonds, and more, visit the Sarah O. blog!