Even though I love micro weddings, I don’t like the term “micro.” It makes me think of a microwave, and a “microwave wedding” doesn’t sound very nice. It sounds quick, last minute, and thrown together. You know, like when you don’t have time to make a fancy dinner so you just throw leftovers or a frozen meal in the microwave and heat it up. 

A micro wedding is everything but that. 

It is small, intimate, and picturesque. There is nothing “thrown together” about it. In fact, it takes just as much time to plan this tiny celebration as it does to plan a traditional wedding––if not more! 

What is a Micro Wedding?

A micro wedding is a tiny celebration with 40 or fewer guests. And many only have 10-20 guests to adhere to COVID restrictions on gatherings. The biggest misconception of a micro wedding is that couples have to compromise on the traditional elements of a wedding they love. This is simply not true! A micro wedding includes all of the same elements as a traditional wedding, just on a smaller scale. 

You still have a traditional ceremony, your guest count is simply less. You still have a reception celebration, it just takes less food, tables, and chairs. You still have toasts, but there is more time and availability for people to share. You still have breathtaking florals, your music of choice, a wedding photographer, and wedding dessert to shove in your new husband or wife’s face if you choose. A micro wedding includes everything you want. The celebration is simply more intimate because you are surrounded by only your closest friends and family. 

Benefits of Having a Micro Wedding in 2021

The most obvious benefit of having a 2021 micro wedding is you still get to have a wedding even with COVID restrictions. However, micro weddings have so many unique benefits that make them an attractive want-to option rather than a have-to option for 2021 and beyond. 

1. Your Wedding Venue Options Are Endless  

With a wedding guest list of 10-20 people, you can get creative when it comes to your wedding venue. If you want to stay traditional and use a classy banquet hall or a place of worship, you definitely can. However, if you want to get creative, you have the freedom to do that too. 

Some of the most spectacular tiny weddings take place in unique locations. And it seems as though the smaller the guest list, the more out-of-the-box you can be. You can choose a stunning Airbnb home on the water with rooms for all your wedding guests to stay in or a vacation cabin with a perfect backyard to say, “I Do!” You can choose a family home or other private residence for a truly intimate experience. You can choose an adventurous location and marry on a yacht or sailboat. Other micro wedding venues include your favorite restaurant, an art gallery, or outdoors in the middle of a beautiful flowered field. 

2. You Have More Time to Spend With Your Guests 

Picture this: a couple has 200 guests attend their wedding. Their wedding ceremony is planned to last four hours. Even if the couple spent just one minute talking to each guest and thanking them for coming, it would still take 200 minutes––just over three hours! This doesn’t leave much room to truly connect with guests or relax and enjoy the first few hours of marriage. 

While there are ways to ensure all of your guests know you appreciate them at a large wedding, with a micro wedding you don’t even have to worry about this. There is plenty of time to not only spend meaningful moments with each guest but to also enjoy your wedding reception, too. 

3. You Can Easily Turn It Into a Wedding Weekend 

Because of the small guest count, many micro weddings are turned into wedding weekends. Rather than just a wedding day, it’s like you get an entire vacation with your closest friends and family. You can enjoy local activities together and turn it into a multi-day celebration. 

4. You Can Still Have a Big Celebration Later On

Just because you have a micro wedding in 2021 doesn’t mean you can’t have that large wedding celebration you’ve been dreaming of later on. Many couples that have a micro wedding throw a huge party––with no cap on the guest count––a later time. With this option, you get two wedding celebrations: one that is small and intimate and another with a large dance party. 

5. You Can “Have It All” Even With a Smaller Budget 

Micro weddings still require a lot of time to plan; however, they don’t require as large of a budget as traditional weddings. Buying dinner for 15 people is much less expensive than buying dinner for 150 people! However, there are still costs to consider. 

How Much Does a Micro Wedding Cost?

The cost of a micro wedding depends on your guest count and the wedding elements that are most important to you. For example, a minimalistic micro wedding that includes appetizers, a champagne toast, and a cake for 12 will cost less than a micro wedding that includes a sit-down dinner, full bar, and room for 40. It all depends on your wedding vision and what it takes to bring it to life. However, it is safe to say that regardless, a tiny wedding costs less than a large wedding. 

Plan Your Intimate Celebration with Antonia Baker Experience

Whether you want to marry in 2021 while COVID restrictions are still in place or you simply want a dreamy, intimate wedding celebration regardless of the social climate, we are here to help. At Antonia Baker Experience, we bring your wedding vision to life. And, most importantly, we have fun doing it regardless of the size of your guest list. While micro weddings may sound like they are thrown together last minute, they aren’t. They take just as much detailed planning and consideration as a traditional wedding. We want everything to be perfect on the most important day of your life, so let’s get started. Contact us today to plan your 2021 micro wedding!