With the current COVID-19 climate currently putting a dampener on our dreams of celebrating nuptials the way we had always wanted. There is something to be said for making a slight 'pivot' to your plans. You may not want to wait to get married, and the current restrictions (or safety concerns for your nearest and dearest) mean there is not the opportunity to have a wedding of more than 10 to 20 guests. Why not explore the idea of a Micro-Wedding!
Real CB Bride Laura wearing Donatelle Godart gown
What Is a Micro Wedding?
Weddings at present can stretch the budget (and the law as it were, thanks COVID!), you and your partner may have played with the idea of eloping, but if you know you can’t bring yourselves to buck all tradition. There is another option: the micro wedding.
A micro wedding is an intimate affair. Depending on who you speak to, this can sometimes mean up to 40 guests or even just 5-10 guests - a more relevant number at the moment. A micro-wedding can still feature time-honoured traditions that make a wedding but on a much smaller scale. Unlike an elopement, which is organized by the bride and groom in secret, a micro-wedding retains some of the structure of a traditional wedding, except on a smaller scale.
In this post, I have outlined the pros of celebrating your nuptials in an itty-bitty wedding PLUS all your basic (and not-so-basic) need to knows when deciding to have, or planning your micro-wedding. Here we go!
Real CB Bride Sonia wearing Laure de Sagazan gown
The Pros
1. It's a lot easier to plan. Some brides genuinely love planning their wedding, but if you're not one of those people tiny wedding means tinier problems, which means lower levels of stress if something goes wrong.
2. You get to focus on the details From personalised, hand painted welcome notes, to beautifully curated gift bags; it can be easier to bring your vision to life when it's on a smaller scale. Not having to skimp on the details due to budget or time constraints means your wedding can turn out like that secret Pinterest board you've been collating.
3. It’s the perfect excuse to use for people who didn't get invited. While there will always be someone who is upset they didn't get an invite, when you only invite your closest circle — "No, really, it's a tiny wedding!" — it feels a lot less personal for those who didn’t make the cut.
4. You can be openly vulnerable. If you’re somebody who abhors the idea of standing up in front of faceless friends celebrating a super intimate moment, this is the opportunity to celebrate in a safe space. It doesn't matter if you can't maintain your composure, everyone there are your people!
5. You won't suffer from Wedding Day Amnesia. Yes! It's a thing. So many brides say that their wedding day was a blur. With a large wedding, it's so hard to step back and take it all in. A micro-wedding means you can celebrate with everyone and still escape with your partner every now and then to experience it as just the two of you,
Real CB Bride Grace wearing Donatelle Godart gown
Things to Consider...
1. Let your Imagination Run Wild
“With a smaller number of guests, you open up a world of unique spaces that are inaccessible to larger weddings. Think restaurants, bars, parks, galleries. They’re often already beautifully designed and styled beautifully meaning no extra effort of hiring or styling the space.
2. Decide on your Must-Haves
Every couple’s non-negotiables are different, but for a teeny tiny wedding you can easily narrow down the essentials. Is it the wardrobe, the food or the wine that you place priority on? You can now lash out, no holds barred.
3. Make sure you Get Dressed Up
Even though your wedding is itty bitty, make sure you make the most of the occasion by dressing in the proper attire. You will want to look back on the photographs with your grandchildren 50 years from now and recollect how gorgeous you both looked!
4. Invest in a Photographer
You’ll want to document this day, no matter what. Find someone whose images resonate with you or who comes recommended. Speak to your photographer about a custom package. They shouldn't need a second shooter for such an intimate affair.
5. Consider Creating a Unique Experience for Your Guests
While you’re thinking about adding those meaningful touches, do so for your guests, too. Ideas include:
- Write a handwritten note to each guest to place at their seat or;
- You could hand-paint each invitation instead of having them printed
- I had a friend whose place settings were a black and white framed image of the person and the newly-married couple. How incredible is that!
Real CB Bride Bojana wears Laure de Sagazan
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