The Truth About Micro-Weddings (Hint: They’re Not Just Tiny Weddings)

I’ve seen couples twist themselves into knots trying to plan the “perfect” big wedding. Yet some of the most magical celebrations I’ve witnessed had guest lists you could count on your fingers and toes. Here’s what nobody tells you about micro-weddings: They’re a completely different beast from their bigger cousins. Take the couple who booked a Wednesday wedding last June. They invited 30 people who mattered most and crafted something that felt more like a family reunion meets ultra fancy dinner party than a wedding. And that’s exactly what they wanted.

Maybe it’s exactly what you want, too. Picture this: 20 to 50 of your favorite people, all the traditional wedding elements you actually want (goodbye, awkward table visits during dinner!), and the freedom to break any “rule” that doesn’t spark joy. If you’re considering an intimate celebration, here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Micro weddings can be held in a variety of flexible spaces.

Micro-weddings flip the script on wedding planning. My neighbor rented out that cozy corner restaurant downtown — you know, the kind that usually seats about 50 people on a packed Saturday night. They took over the whole space, brought in a jazz trio, and let the restaurant’s chef go wild with a tasting menu. Small numbers open doors. That intimate winery tasting room you’ve been dying to visit? The tucked-away bistro with string lights? Even that historic winery surrounded by rows of vines? They’re all fair game when you’re not trying to squeeze in your mom’s second cousins you haven’t seen since you were five.

2. Micro-weddings aren’t always budget weddings. 

Now, let’s bust a myth: Micro-weddings aren’t always a budget-friendly option. Can they save you money? Absolutely. But plenty of couples take their full wedding budget and redistribute it in wild and wonderful ways. Think: flying in that band you saw on vacation in New Orleans, hiring artists to create custom portraits of each guest, or treating everyone to a seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings. Or like that one couple who flew 10 guests to Switzerland for their wedding, spending the same as a local wedding for 100 but getting a magical rooftop celebration overlooking the Alps instead.

3. Micro-weddings aren’t for everyone.

Before you jump on the micro-wedding bandwagon, though, ask yourself these three questions:

1. Do you actually want to chat with every guest, or does the idea of intimate conversations all night make you break out in hives?
2. Are you dying to dance with 200 of your closest friends, or would you rather share meaningful moments with 30?
3. When you close your eyes and picture your perfect day, what size crowd do you see?

4. Micro-weddings offer endless possibilities.

Here’s the kicker — when it comes to micro-weddings, there’s no one-size-fits-all template. Maybe yours looks like an elegant dinner party with your nearest and dearest. Or maybe you’ll whisk your closest friends away for a weekend of hiking and stargazing before saying “I do” at sunrise. When your guest list is small, the possibilities are endless.

The bottom line? Your wedding should reflect who you are as a couple — whether that means an intimate gathering of 20 to 50 or a grand bash for 200. A micro-wedding isn’t about what you’re giving up; it’s about what you’re choosing to embrace. And isn’t that what celebrating love should be about anyway?

Ready to plan your unforgettable micro-wedding in New England? Reach out to us here.