Micro weddings, or those smaller, intimate weddings with a guest list of 10 to 50 guests, are becoming increasingly popular. They allow for increased intimacy and connection with the couple’s guests, provide unique venue possibilities, and a smaller guest list often translates to a more authentic, personal, and less compromised wedding day because the couple feels less obligated to cater to a multitude of external expectations and preferences. They can focus on what they truly want. Preparing and planning for a micro-wedding looks a little different compared to planning and preparing for traditional weddings. This post will give you insight and strategies to confidently adapt your services, packages, and how you operate, so you can confidently assist couples in planning an unforgettable micro-wedding.
Why Couples Love Micro-Weddings
Clients consistently tell us how much they appreciate being able to connect with every single guest genuinely. It’s about meaningful conversations and interactions, not just a quick hello and goodbye.
Oftentimes, people assume micro means budget. However, it’s more accurate to think of it as ‘budget redefined.’ Couples are often using funds that would have been spent on 150 guest meals to create a more personalized experience, whether that means hiring a top-tier private chef, arranging exquisite floral installations, or securing an exclusive venue buyout. The focus shifts to an elevated experience for a select few.
Fewer moving parts mean less overall anxiety for us and our clients. The reduced logistics enable couples to truly soak in their special day, resulting in happier clients and overall smoother events. Being able to pick a private estate, a trendy chef’s table restaurant, or even an art gallery gives couples so much room to get creative. We’re seeing them add personal touches everywhere—like cocktails inspired by their first date or playlists that tell their story—things that just aren’t as easy to pull off with a big crowd.
How to Plan for Micro Weddings Differently
Here are some tips to help you price and plan for micro-weddings.
Your Service Offering & Pricing Structure
- Remember Your Value: Although your first instinct may be to cut your traditional prices based on guest count, your expertise, time, and relationship with vendors are still just as valuable, if not more, when planning a smaller, more personalized event.
- Offer Tailored Packages: Provide à la carte options tailored to specific needs (e.g., just ceremony design, day-of coordination for a private dinner). Create “Intimate Celebration” packages that cover multiple, smaller events. Consider what the client needs. It might not be managing a group of vendors, but instead focusing on detailed design elements or organizing something like custom transportation for a smaller group.
Creating a Solid Event Support Team
- Preferred Partners for Personal Events: Your go-to caterer for 200 might not have the same finesse as a private chef specializing in 15-person gourmet dinners. Build relationships with boutique florists, smaller rental companies, and photographers/videographers skilled at capturing meaningful, emotional moments rather than grand crowd shots.
- Unique Venues: Consider non-traditional spaces for small gatherings, such as private estates, Airbnb or VRBO luxury rentals, art galleries, botanical conservatories, upscale restaurant buyouts, and historic homes. Just be prepared to navigate owner agreements, kitchen access, and possibly more limited setup times.
Adapting Your Planning Approach & Client Communication
- Deep Personalization Matters Most: With a more intimate guest list, every detail takes on greater significance. It extends beyond selecting a color palette—you are creating a memorable experience. Consider personalized stationery for each guest, customized gifts, a thoughtfully designed menu, or a carefully composed playlist that reflects the couple’s unique love story.
- Focus on the Guest Experience: Each guest’s experience becomes more pronounced. Thoughtfully consider their arrival, comfort, dietary preferences, and their connection with the couple. The goal is to create a meaningful and lasting memory for every individual in attendance.
- Adjust Timelines & Logistics: Micro weddings may have more unique transportation needs (e.g., mini-buses for 20 versus a coach for 200), or more complex meal services for a high-end dining experience. Don’t become complacent just because it’s small. The stakes for perfection can feel even higher to the couple when every guest is so intimately involved.
Micro weddings aren’t just a passing trend—they’re a dynamic advancement in how couples choose to celebrate. With a focus on intimacy, personalization, and intentionality, these events present a significant growth opportunity for planners who are ready to adapt and lead.
Take this moment to evaluate your current offerings. Are there services you can tailor for smaller gatherings? Which micro wedding service will you explore first?
The Find Your Wedding Planner Team
findyourweddingplanner.com