The pandemic marked a shift in many societal norms, and not many were fun – except one – the reemergence of micro weddings!

Say what you will about weddings, but watching micro weddings throughout the pandemic brought so much joy and hopefulness in the opening act of despair as we know it (because, as we now know, COVID was just the tip of the iceberg). However, I’m sure it felt a bit turbulent to the couples at the time, or at least those forced to switch to a micro wedding after months or even years of planning a…macro…wedding.

What Is a Micro Wedding?

If you’re somehow behind on the times, micro weddings are more intimate in size but still have all of the imagination and extravagance of traditional weddings (if not more). This differs from a shotgun-style wedding in Vegas or at the courthouse. The magic number is 50 guests or under.

I recall a fellow alum from my college taking wedding photos in a beautiful gown with a ton of hot air balloons floating above her–in my network alone the micro wedding aesthetic went off!

Though this particular genre of weddings became popularized during the pandemic, micro weddings have always been an option. And, though you might think they’re on the decline since the pandemic is “over” one TikToker predicts they will continue gaining traction and becoming preferable over traditional weddings. This is largely based on the decline in wedding guest counts that predate 2020.

According to The Knot, weddings have gone from an average size of about 136 in 2017 to decreasing to an average size of 115 guests in 2023.

Something Old, Something New

What’s news to me is the existence of a "minimony," also known as a "mini wedding ceremony"–a new concept coined during the pandemic. Although both minimony and micro weddings prioritize intimacy, there are a few key differences, including how intimate the event gets. Size matters! So, while a guestlist of 50 is acceptable for a micro wedding, it’s closer to a perfect 10 as far as a minimony is concerned.

The other standout piece is that a minimony focuses more on the ceremonial aspect of the wedding – it’s closer to an elopement-style wedding than it is to a traditional wedding – focusing on the sharing of vows and cultural traditions. There is usually an officiant and a photographer, but rarely a full-blown reception. This portion of the ceremony is condensed down to a couple of desserts, allowing guests to celebrate with newlyweds closely.

Finding the One

Ultimately, finding the right wedding fit for you will rely on a variety of factors such as budget, family closeness and size, quality time with guests, convenience, and much more.

As a girlie who has only ever wanted to get married to appease my ego-driven Leo rising, yet is still on the spectrum of introversion – the micro wedding feels ideal because it meets that need without breaking the bank. I don’t know if I could justify tens of thousands on a wedding simply to have all eyes on me–especially because I’d much rather justify booking a flight or two with it. If I see a wedding in my lifetime, know this is where it’s at for me!

At the end of the day, so much of planning a wedding is truly about the individuals involved and their preferences. And, so you’ll want to consider how a micro wedding may or may not meet your needs when you begin the planning process.

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Want to have a micro wedding? Here are some tips to assist with the planning process:

  1. A venue that vibes: Turns out “location, location, location” isn’t just talk for real estate enthusiasts. You will want to make sure you carefully choose a venue that fits your micro wedding just right. I hadn’t considered how important this might be until I had, but an extra large space on an intimate-sized wedding takes away from the intended intimacy – makes it feel unintentional and vacant. Consider spaces such as a rustic barn, restaurant, garden, or even your backyard.
  2. Small talk: You’ll want to inform your vendors that you’re going small – this will allow them to tailor their packages to meet your needs.
  3. DIY on the decor: Now that you’ve decided to entertain a smaller group of guests, you may be interested in and open to adding a personal touch by tackling a “do it yourself” project that pops. Maybe you do the calligraphy on your invitations or repurpose items you already have for decor.
  4. “Zoom” in: Though you’ve decided to go a more intimate route, this doesn’t mean there weren’t people you wish you could’ve invited. But, thankfully, we have advanced significantly in technology, and you’re able to livestream your wedding, so no one really has to miss out on the big day. (FYI: I’m not sure that you’d use Zoom – there might be something a bit more official and elegant).
  5. Up the ante: If budget constraints weren’t a reason for wanting to have a micro wedding, consider placing a great emphasis on quality when it comes to food, bar, flowers, and even your photographer.

    And, when it’s all said and done, just remember to give yourself grace during this process. It’s your (wedding) party, and you can cry if you want to – or, knock all this shit over because we stan an iconic Bridezella too.

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