Planning a wedding is a huge undertaking and an equally huge investment leaving modern couples torn on whether it’s worth it. It is certainly different from the engagement phase when couples are on cloud nine and elated about starting a new chapter in their life. Weddings these days average well over $30,000, and the guest count? Although it may drop slowly,most couples still celebrate with nearly 150 of their friends and family members.
You and your honey may have joked about eloping, but if you know you can’t bring yourselves to throw out all the traditions, there’s another option: the Microwedding. These celebrations are intimate, with a limited number of guests on the list, but still feature those time-honored features that make a wedding, well, a “wedding.” It’s festive, beautiful, and full of love, but the tiny scale also means your savings account will still be in the positive when it’s all said and done. Sounds good to me! Ready to go micro? Here are a few planning tips to make this small-scale celebration as memorable as a ballroom blowout bash. #microwedding #microbride #planperfect #p2partyperfectco
Don’t Sacrifice the Chance to Celebrate
Hold it…. Before you elope. Why would you miss this opportunity to do something special? I encourage you to make the most of it. Get your marriage license, hire an officiant, and grab a few friends and family, then get married somewhere you could never have a typically-sized wedding. Whether it’s on the grounds of your childhood home or the location where he proposed take advantage of the small size and go somewhere you couldn’t go otherwise!
Let Your Imagination Run Wild
Fewer guests equals less work, fewer opinions and people to please, less budget required, and more options in terms of spaces to celebrate. You open up the possibilities for unique spaces that are inaccessible to larger weddings. You can rent out restaurants, parks, galleries, or anywhere you’d never consider for a big wedding. They’re already designed beautifully so you can save on décor, and might have their own tables and chairs, so you don’t have to rent them. When you’re looking at renting an entire space which might seem pricey on paper, keep those savings in mind, and you’ll probably notice that it’s quite cost-effective.
Pick a Venue First
Whether your wedding is big or small, it’s easier to find a venue and then tailor your guest list to fit, instead of inviting everyone and then realizing you can’t find the right space. If it’s your favorite restaurant, for example, find out the capacity of their private dining room, then cut down your guest list until there is space for everyone at the table.
Cover the Basics
The three things to have at all weddings, regardless of size, are great food, music, and drinks. Weddings are celebrations, and people love to come together to share a meal and dance, so these items are a must. Food is the base and dancing make it a great party! I love flowers, stationery, and décor, but those aren’t must-haves for a celebration. Start with the basics and add those details in to enhance the evening and create a vibe that encourages joy and love.
Get Dressed Up
No matter how big or small your wedding, it’s so special to get gussied up in attire specifically for the occasion. It doesn’t have to be a ball gown and tuxedo, just something special. Your grandchildren will look back at the photos 50 years from now and say how great you both looked!
Hire a Photographer
No matter how small your wedding is, please I beg you hire a photographer. You’ll want to document this day, no matter what. But that doesn’t mean you need an eight to 10-hour package and a second shooter. A smaller guest list also means a smaller shot list, so talk to your photographer about creating a custom package for a shorter amount of time.
Turn to the Pros
You can still do things like rent linens, hire a florist, or get a cake. Look for someone who can create what you love and want as reflection of your day. Get creative with your local bakery or favorite sweet shop and do small cake for cutting and assorted sweets. Your local florist, who might specialize in single arrangements instead of bouquets and floral arches, is a great resource for a smaller table. You can definitely still work with a planner! Many offer packages that would be just the thing for an intimate celebration that doesn’t require the same level of planning as a larger-scale wedding.
Make it Meaningful
I’m a huge fan of personal vows in any setting; especially when it’s a more intimate wedding. Don’t skip the chance to share words and promises with one another, surrounded by the people who are truly closest to the two of you. I also love the inclusion of sentimental details, like wearing your grandmother’s brooch or having your dog walk down the aisle with you, to give the day personal touch.
Create a Personal Experience for Your Guests
While you’re thinking about adding those meaningful touches, do so for your guests, too. Write handwritten notes to every guest to place at their seat. Or consider hand-painting each escort card instead of having them printed. It’s much easier to add those special touches for 50 people than it is for 200! And since you’ve gone through the trouble of narrowing your guest list down so far, you’re guaranteed to have a super-close connection to every guest, making those little touches more meaningful.
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