Small Wedding Ideas & Tips for Micro Weddings

Small Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

Am I having a small wedding? Or is it a micro wedding? What about a tiny wedding? I've also heard about a minimony? Or is it an elopement? It's all so confusing and I just don't understand! 

If you're confused about all of the new terms in wedding planning that everyone from your vendors to your friends to your family keep throwing around  - especially now that large gatherings (weddings!) are limited - don't worry.

In today's wedding planning advice post, because we are going to be talking all about what makes a small wedding and the benefits you might not be thinking about when it comes to have a micro wedding.

And, of course, I'll be giving you lots of inspiration, decor ideas and advice for mico weddings too! 

hanging candle votives
small wedding idea
Hanging Candle Votives
Made by: The Pretty Party Boxx

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What Is A Micro Wedding?

Now that large gathering are limited, weddings and in-person events are trending smaller, naturally. However, this trend towards smaller or small-ish weddings has given rise to lots of new wedding planning terms such as micro-weddings, minimony, macro weddings, tiny weddings, elopements and more! Plain and simple, these new terms are all "code" for small weddings. The issue or confusion is that what a small wedding means is different by couple and by region. Every couple and wedding vendor defines a mico, mini, tiny or small wedding differently.

In some areas a small wedding is a micro wedding and a micro wedding is a small wedding. To some, small, tiny and micro are interchangeable terms that wedding professionals use to refer to a wedding with a lower wedding guest count. If you're having a small wedding, you're also having a mico or tiny wedding or a minimony.

However, in some areas a micro wedding refers to a specific number of wedding guests. I talked to wedding planners all over the country and many said that a mirco, macro, tiny or mini wedding refers to a wedding with 50 guests or less. Small weddings are not related to any specific number and are relative to what the couple considers to be small.

Even though what defines a micro wedding varies, almost universally, an elopement is a term used for ceremonies that happen between just the couple. If you are getting married at home or at the court house, for example, and it is just you, your partner and the officiant, it is called an elopement.

What Makes A Wedding Small?

Before we go any further, it's worth noting that the size of your guest count is what determines the size of your wedding. When we say small, micro ore tiny, we are referring to the total number of guests in attendance. We are not referring to the budget, venue, the details, or anything else other than the guest count. Small definitely doesn't refer to the amount of love in your heart either! 

Now that we've cleared up what a small or mico wedding means, the next obvious question is:  How many guests makes for a small wedding?

What makes for a small wedding is relative to each couple and what they consider to be small. To one couple 50 guests is small, to another small might mean 10 or 2 people, while 100 guests might be considered small to another. It all just depends on what is small to you and this guest number is different for each couple.

Within the wedding industry, including wedding planners, florists, caterers, photographers and more, most vendors consider any guest count less than 100 people to be a small or micro wedding. In some areas, 20 guests is small, but in other areas 75 guest is considered micro. But, in general, less than 100 guests is universally considered a small wedding by wedding professionals. 

Benefits Of A Micro Weddings

Now that we know, opting for a small guest list can designate your wedding as a small wedding, also known as a micro-wedding, it's time to talk about all of the benefits of having a small wedding. Simply put, smaller wedding often offers opportunity for more when it comes to wedding design, details, time and money.  When it comes to small weddings, less is more...less guests, more 'wow' factor! 

A smaller guest list leaves more room in your budget for those special things and extra touches. For example, instead of disposable or generic glassware, you can now opt for personalized glasses for each of your guests. Something that they'll be impressed with at your wedding and cherish as a momento to take home!

You might now have more room in the budget for personalized wedding favors, escort cards, and personal touches throughout the wedding are sure to impress your guests and design a one of a kind wedding. Doing all of these special details on a larger scale for large numbers of guests can get really expensive really fast, but with a small guest count, these details might be possible.

Having a small wedding also gives you more time to spend on each guest. For example, you can make your reception more personal with a handwritten note to each of your guests! Take the opportunity of a smaller guest count to spoil your guests with personal touches. It's your 'excuse' to let no detail go unnoticed.

Micro-weddings also allow you more time to spend with the guests in attendance at your wedding. This is one of the top reasons why couples choose to plan a smaller wedding. Take advantage of your smaller guest count by creating beautiful tablescapes. A smaller guest count might mean a smaller wedding cake, but that can also mean you get to add a dessert bar, too!

Small weddings also offer more venue options that typically cannot hold a wedding. Barrel rooms at wineries, smaller barns, your favorite restaurant, and downtown lofts can now be your venue of choice with a smaller guest count! Spare no detail with these smaller venues. Choose decor options that accentuate the beauty of your chosen venue and provide unique details like acrylic food labels and signage throughout your wedding.

Small Wedding Decor Ideas & Inspiration

You know we couldn't talk about small weddings without giving you lots of design ideas and inspiration! The decor, the favors and all those little details - that's fun part, besides getting married, of course! 

For this edition of Garter Girl Loves, we've sourced our favorite finds from Etsy that are perfect to incorporate into your small wedding. 

pashmina shawls for wedding guests

small wedding idea
Made by: Cotto Design

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custom acrylic drink tags with tassels
small wedding idea
Custom Acrylic Drink Tags with Tassels
Made by: Bridely Shop

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Acrylic Guest Book for Small Weddings
small wedding idea
Made by: Z Create Design

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gauze table runner
small wedding idea
Gauze Table Runner
Made by: Lustre Theory

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bride and groom chair banners
small wedding idea
Bride and Groom Chair Banners
Made by: Wt Events Gifts

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Moscow Mule Escort Wall Display for Micro Wedding
small wedding idea
Made by: Wags and Wood

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Hexagon Metal Wedding Arch
small wedding idea
Made by: Wood Shop Crafts UA

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Watercolor Quad Fold Wedding Invitation
small wedding idea
Made by: Wide Eyes Paper Co

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hanging flower garlands
small wedding idea
Made by: Botanical Gifts Studio

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Engraved Wood Gift Box for Wedding Guests
small wedding idea
Made by: Box and Bow Shop

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Custom Koozies Small Wedding
small wedding idea
Made by: Yipee Daisy

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unique acrylic flower vase cake stand
small wedding idea
Unique Acrylic Flower Vase Cake Stand
Made by: Prop Options

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wedding table arch decor
small wedding idea
Wedding Table Arch Decor
Made by: INKTEREST

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elegant white tulle fabric
small wedding idea
Elegant White Tulle Fabric
Made by: Wedding Fabric CA

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mini frying basket appetizer set
small wedding idea
Mini Frying Basket Appetizer Set
Made by: The Pretty Party Boxx

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Double Metal Hoop Table Centerpiece
small wedding idea
Made by: Bridal and Present

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sheer chiffon chair sashes
small wedding idea
Sheer Chiffon Chair Sashes
Made by: Wedding Fabric CA

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personalized wedding confetti cones
small wedding idea
Personalized Wedding Confetti Cones
Made by: Detaylz Creative Co

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stonewashed linen wedding napkins
small wedding idea
Stonewashed Linen Wedding Napkins
Made by: Easy Linen Crafts

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personalized wedding backdrop banner
small wedding idea
Personalized Wedding Backdrop Banner
Made by: Z Create Design

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personalized edible cocktail topper
small wedding idea
Personalized Edible Cocktail Toppers
Made by: Sunymar Shop

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Embroidered Linen Cocktail Napkins
small wedding idea
Made by: Katy Michele Designs

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Small weddings don't mean you have to sacrifice great wedding style. In fact, in many cases small or micro weddings open up opportunity for more details! Having less wedding guests gives you more time and money in wedding planning.

Personalized touches throughout your wedding are sure to impress your guest so that you can spend time enjoying your ceremony and reception with your guests!

What do you think? Are you having a small or micro wedding?

For more of my wedding ideas and inspirations, be sure to check out my Garter Girl Loves blog series and you can see all of my wedding garter designs right here.


With love,

The Garter Girl

 

 

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