A Guide to The Luxury Micro-Wedding

In my experience as a wedding professional, I will say that couples usually have a vision for their wedding from the moment they get engaged. And sometimes, those visions are of a deeply intimate, ultra-exclusive event, smaller than a typically-sized celebration, but far from an elopement. Many couples still want to share their nuptials with only a select few, without sacrificing any of the experience that comes with having guests — essentially, a wedding that’s not scaled back by any means, just smaller. 

If this sounds like you and your future spouse, allow me to suggest a micro-wedding, an adapted pandemic-era trend that might be your perfect fit. 

Consisting of 20 to 60 guests, including the wedding party, these weddings were originally born of couples’ creativity within social distancing restrictions. Now, with our return to normal life, spouses are turning these events into experiences that make it an honor to be on the guest list. 

If this is your goal, I’m here to walk you through everything you need to know about how to craft an event attended by few — but appreciated by many. 

The Venue

The very first thing I would like you to consider is the location for your micro-wedding. If you and your spouse are considering one, it can feel as though your options for a luxurious venue are limited. But believe me, you are far from confined to a small garden or rooftop. In fact, your wedding’s small size might just be its strength, and you should absolutely use this to your advantage. 

With a micro-wedding, not only can your venue be spectacular — it absolutely must be. You simultaneously have the opportunity to select a truly unique space, and to make the most out of the venue you choose. So, we’re miles away from the concept of the bare necessities. 

From seaside lodges to exclusive restaurants, the world is your oyster with a guest list that could fit inside one. If views are your priority, many small venues outdo themselves in this department, allowing nature or architecture to outline the atmosphere — and this is true all around the world. 

In my recent blog on Portugal’s best wedding venues, I named Quinta Da Penalva one of my favorites. With a luxurious guest house that can accommodate six, and a garden vast enough for all of your wildest dreams, it’s proof that there is no shortage of truly gorgeous options. 

However, there is no issue if you’d like a little more room. If you choose a larger space, make sure to fill all of it with florals, unique seating arrangements, and other decorations. Your love is big enough to stretch for miles, so make sure you allow it to expand, wherever you are. 

However, space is not the only consideration that goes into choosing where to host your micro-wedding, which leads into my next priority. 

The Guest Experience 

If you’ve read my blog on the guest experience, you know that I view the guests as the most crucial element in your wedding (besides, of course you and your spouse). This importance increases tenfold with a micro-wedding, as your ultra-exclusive list will certainly include the most influential people in your life as a couple. These are individuals you both care for and want to share in your debut as spouses — and as such, they’re individuals you want to truly impress. 

The venue’s amenities, accommodations, and surrounding area are integral factors in any guest experience, but in a micro-wedding, there must be an element of personalization as well. In a wedding of any size, I believe each guest must feel welcome and appreciated, and the smaller a wedding becomes, the more you must let your guests know that they are special to you. You have already demonstrated your connection with each person you invited, and now, it’s time to put it into practice. 

Your existing bond with your guests allows you to anticipate and work with your planner to execute a memorable experience — everything from group activities, to food selections and seating arrangements, and any personalized touches you can think of will come to you easily. You have room to experiment, try something new, and most of all, allow your wedding to feel like you. 

Since your wedding will be designed for closeness with your guests, bonding experiences are another non-negotiable. This is where the days or weeks leading up to the ceremony require extra attention, as there is no need for the festivities to shrink. Fill the time to the brim with all the ways you can think of to share your love — and come out on the other side all the closer. 

The Elements 

In my opinion, the most beautiful thing about a micro-wedding is that it allows you to truly focus on the things that matter most. You have hand-selected a list of people whose hearts are truly in it with you, who are excited to see you profess your love and become a new unit. Now more than ever, you must make the most of this. 

Your vows are extra important in a micro-wedding, and they can be as true and vulnerable as you’d like them to be, opening your soul to those you’d like to share your love with. I know from over five years of experience that the intimate, emotional nature of the ceremony might be a little intimidating, even around those who know you best. 

This is where professionals like myself are here to help. Part of marriage is building bonds, both with each other as spouses, and with others as a unit. Your wedding, and your ceremony especially, are opportunities to establish, or reinforce, closeness as long-lasting as your love. 

What You Share 

Like any wedding, micro-weddings still have room for photographers and videographers. An added perk, though, is the increased ability to control what you put out into the world. Once the day is done, and the photos are snapped, you can choose how exclusive the memory of your day remains. 

All of that depends on what’s important to you, how close you’d like to hold certain moments to your heart. Regardless of anything digital you share, though, nothing comes close to the real-time experience — which is something the micro-wedding trend seems to account for very well. No matter what, by the end of the reception, you will have shared your love with those closest to it as it grew, which is, in my book, a mark of success.