More couples are opting for an intimate wedding with 50 or fewer guests so they can have the wedding of their dreams on their own terms. Micro weddings are more personal, less stressful, and easier on your budget.
Upsides to a micro wedding:
Micro weddings are intimate and authentic to the couple. You get to invite who you want and have your wedding. And your chosen guests get to enjoy your company! I once went to a 200+ wedding of a work friend, drove over 30 minutes to the reception, and then realized after spending an hour there that I wouldn’t get to greet either him or his new wife. My date and I politely left.
Traditions and rituals matter. A micro wedding can give you the option to have a shorter ceremony and a more intimate and authentic experience. Would you like to offer speeches to a lot of of your guests or allow everyone to participate in traditional dances at the reception? These may not be possible with a large wedding. Make your wedding less stressful and choose what is most important to you with a micro wedding.
Micro weddings are better for your budget. Once you get over the initial excitement of, “We’re getting married!” your next questions may include, “Who will be paying for all of this?” and “What exactly is our budget?” Micro weddings are less expensive and can help you tailor your choices to your individual values and budget. A micro wedding may allow you to splurge on that dream dress, plan an unforgettable destination wedding, hire the perfect caterer, or save money for that house down payment.
Controversies (either real or concocted) will be “contained”. Are you marrying outside of your family’s faith, your ethnicity, or is yours the first gay wedding for some of your guests? Does someone simply not like your beloved? If so, there will be fewer people to whom you need to politely say, “This is our wedding, and this is what we are doing.”
Micro weddings are less stressful because they have less paperwork! Save the dates, invitations, and thank you notes all take time and a budget. In spite of our digital world, almost all guests expect these to be delivered (on time!) by snail mail. Make your wedding less stressful with less paperwork.
Downsides to a micro wedding:
Have you always dreamed of a big wedding? If so, explore your options. You won’t want to regret anything about your wedding day.
You will have to explain to people that they are not invited. Saying, “We’re having an intimate ceremony” is sufficient. Don’t allow anyone to think they will be invited if they won’t.
Have you attended many weddings? If so, you won’t be “reciprocating” by inviting all of those couples to your wedding (they also won’t need to buy you a gift). Clearly and politely set expectations.
For many couples, the advantages of a micro wedding far outweigh the advantages of a large wedding. Listen to your heart, talk with your intended, and then make your wedding wonderful.