Weddings – big or small – are a deeply personal reflection of who we are, how we love, and what we’ve envisioned for ourselves. Because, when you think about it, a wedding isn’t just a party or a celebration ( although it is that, of course, to some degree).
A wedding is a symbol of the life we’ve imagined for ourselves with our partner – the start of something truly beautiful, reflecting and refracting the glimmers of what we love about our relationship.
But for so many couples, the traditional idea of a wedding – big, bold, and overflowing with guests they might not even know – just doesn’t feel right.
Thankfully, in the past few years, the wedding world has shifted – it’s become far more accepted and encouraged by so many (me included!) to opt for a smaller wedding that accentuates the elements you care most about – size not being one of them.
An intimate and deeply meaningful celebration that lets you focus on what truly matters to you as a couple and less on the length of the guest list.
In a world where everything feels louder, bigger, and more demanding, micro weddings offer a different, more intentional way to celebrate.
They might be small in terms of guest list, but they’re grand in emotion. These weddings are designed to create space for authenticity, connection, creativity, and a focus on the details that matter most to each couple – without the stress of juggling an overwhelmingly large event that doesn’t serve them.
But why, in my opinion, are microweddings set to be the next big thing for couples? That’s what this blog is all about.
In this article:
- The Magic of Personalization: A Microwedding Speciality
- The Chance to Cherish Your Guests – Your Favorite People
- Investing in What Matters to You: Small Wedding Budgets Are Flexible
- Chasing Authenticity on Your Wedding Day
- A Microwedding Moment: Why Microweddings are Here to Stay
Pictured Above: An adventurous micro wedding taking place in the spring in Moab Utah at Dead Horse State Park.
The Magic of Personalization: A Microwedding Speciality
First things first, the idea of a small wedding, a microwedding, or even an elopement isn’t new.
For as long as couples have fallen in love, there have been Vegas elopements, courthouse weddings, and beautiful backyard events to tie the knot.
Even though smaller weddings had long been a tradition, it’s become far more normal for larger weddings to steal the show. Big weddings with 150+ guests lists had been considered the norm for a long while.
So, what changed? Why the sudden shift toward microweddings?
Well, the 2020 pandemic happened. When the world shut down, smaller weddings and elopements experienced a resurgence. And when they did, people started to realize that this kind of event was missing from the wedding world – and that gave it room to expand in the way that it has.
The microwedding represents the return to something more personalized. It can offer couples benefits like:
- A stronger focus on their own priorities
- Not feeling obligated to pad guest lists
- Lower stress level & more enjoyable planning
- The flexibility to center their day on their preferences
Today, micro weddings are a way to take what’s best from the past and combine it with the freedom of modern-day choices. It’s about making your wedding a personal experience, not one dictated by trends or societal expectations.
These smaller weddings are an opportunity to break free from the pressure to conform with what they’ve been told is the right path.
With fewer constraints and more space to breathe, micro weddings are a celebration of a couple’s desire to create something special, something real, and something just for them.
More than that, though, microweddings offer the ultimate personalization. Whether you dream of saying your vows surrounded by towering trees, on a quiet beach at sunrise, or in a cozy cabin with a few close friends, the options are endless.
You’re not bound by the constraints of a large venue or endless logistics to coordinate. You can embrace spontaneity, be a little adventurous, and explore all the ways your love can be celebrated in a space that feels right.
The freedom that comes with a smaller event is both liberating and inspiring. You get to craft a day that fits perfectly with your vision, all without feeling boxed in by tradition or the overwhelming expectations of a larger wedding.
Pictured Above: A hiking micro wedding taking place in Washington’s North Cascades during the summer.
The Chance to Cherish Your Guests – Your Favorite People
With a smaller group of loved ones as your microwedding guests, you can create a wedding that’s not only about you and your partner but also about making every guest feel deeply seen and appreciated.
Instead of rushing between 100 guests during your reception all while trying to keep everyone happy, you can have one-on-one moments, share memories, and have memorable experiences together.
The intimacy of a micro wedding allows you to pour love and attention into your guests, especially those who may be traveling far and wide to be there with you. When your guest list is small, the experience becomes richer.
Whether it’s a multi-day celebration or a peaceful getaway, you have the time and space to make every moment feel special and deeply personal. Weddings can be about the couple, but they can also be about the people they love who’ve supported them every step of the way.
Pictured Above: A beautiful LGBTQ micro wedding at the Hanai Center in Bend, Oregon. Read all about it and see more photos from their day.
Investing in What Matters to You: Small Wedding Budgets Are Flexible
For some couples, a large wedding is the dream – and that’s a perfect option if it’s right for them.
But for so many others, the huge guest lists simply don’t bring them the joy they’re chasing. And further, the penny-pinching and budget-allocating to accommodate those huge guest lists leave them feeling stressed out and like their wedding day isn’t worth it.
Where Budget Meets the Freedom to Prioritize
Microweddings give couples something truly unique – the opportunity to flex their wedding budget, whatever it might be, toward the things they prioritize.
It’s no secret that weddings can be expensive – in fact, the real cost of weddings can be hard to pin down. But micro weddings and small weddings offer a way to celebrate in your preferred style while ensuring every dollar goes toward something you believe is worth investing in.
Because their guest list is smaller, they allocate their dollars toward the things they care most about – the creative wedding vendors they’ve dreamed of working with, stunning venues, the location they’ve envisioned, and the experiences they’ve been chasing.
In other words, with fewer guests, your budget stretches further, allowing you to focus on what’s most important to you.
You can invest in the details that make your heart sing – whether that’s a photographer whose work takes your breath away, a venue that’s meaningful to you, or a menu that feels just right for your celebration.
A Microwedding Can Also be a Financially Conscious Choice (If You Want it to Be)
In today’s world, many couples are waiting longer to get married, often funding their weddings themselves.
With rising costs and an unpredictable economy, larger weddings can feel impossible to actually attain– and it’s a hard sell to convince someone who doesn’t actually dream of a large wedding that it’s worth the price tag.
Microweddings offer a beautiful alternative – you have the option to have the celebration you’ve always wanted without sacrificing your future plans or financial security. By keeping your guest list small, you can embrace the dream of a beautiful, meaningful wedding without the burden of a massive price tag that’s associated with accommodating a large group.
Pictured Above: An Oregon Coast micro wedding at iconic Cannon Beach.
Chasing Authenticity on Your Wedding Day
A lot of us can thank (but not really thank) social media for making us feel like we’re in some sort of silly competition in certain areas of our lives. Weddings and big life events are sometimes part of that.
Microweddings give you the chance to take a breath and let go of the comparison game, allowing you to focus on creating something real, authentic, and entirely yours.
Instead of trying to fit into the mold of a perfect wedding, you can create a microwedding that’s filled with details that reflect your story and your vision.
Micro weddings, by nature, invite you to let go of the big guest lists and event halls and instead ask yourselves, “What truly matters to us right here, right now?”
A microwedding gives you the chance to realize that the beauty of your wedding is found in the moments, not in the spectacle – it gives you the opportunity to look past numbers and look directly at what matters most to you both.
Pictured Above: A small wedding in the Columbia River Gorge Oregon in the spring. Read all about it and see more photos of their day.
A Microwedding Moment: Why Microweddings are Here to Stay
I’ve spent years in the wedding industry, and I genuinely believe that micro weddings are more than just a trend – they’re a shift toward romance, wonder, and joy.
They allow couples to embrace their uniqueness, craft a deeply personal celebration, and enjoy a stress-free day surrounded by their closest loved ones, relieving them of the pressure to opt into a larger, traditional wedding.
Microweddings mark a return to simplicity, a step away from the noise, and a way to create something that looks and feels beautiful – and to me, that’s a timeless desire.
Your micro wedding should echo the joy, the laughter, the quiet moments, and the connections with your closest loved ones long after the day has passed.
Even though the day might feel like it’s gone in the blink of an eye, those moments deserve to be remembered. Investing in meaningful photos helps you keep the moment and the magic of that day alive.
As someone who cherishes the art of storytelling, I’m here to help couples capture their love and the essence of their microwedding day in a way that feels true and timeless. Want to make sure the memories of your micro wedding are just as unforgettable as the day itself? Let’s chat about your microwedding photography coverage.
