Why Intimate Micro Weddings Are Great
I’m asked all the time about the benefits of micro weddings over big weddings. Most couples ask the question as they worry committing to an intimate day might mean their wedding won’t have the same punch as one with no limits on numbers. Like all things weddingy (my word!), it’s all about you, what’s going to be the right fit for your values as a couple and, what your heart says rather than external expectations. For a micro wedding, you’d be looking at guest numbers of around 20-30. Usually, that would be inclusive of any wedding party you might have. If you’re in between an intimate wedding, elopement, or a bigger wedding, there are so many great reasons why you should opt for a micro wedding.
1. Cost
Let’s call a spade a spade. Smaller weddings tend to cost less. Usually, the biggest chunk of a wedding budget goes on the venue and catering. With an intimate wedding, you’ll retain a fair whack of your spend to direct elsewhere. Perhaps there’s a photographer you’ve been Insta stalking for months now and by going for reduced numbers, you can now manage to book them.
2. Easier To Organise
Yup! I can see the irony of what I’m suggesting here. It’s the truth. Micro weddings typically have fewer aspects to manage. Think about the admin involved with inviting 150+ guests: writing the envelopes, keeping track of the RSVPs, making sure you’re on top of everyone’s menu choices not to mention their specific dietary requirements, table plans, changes to table plans due to last-minute dropouts. You can see where I’m coming from with this. Obviously, there’s still a great deal to arrange with a smaller wedding. But overall, there’s less to make, less to chase up. There is a lot less stress and a lot more enjoyment to be taken from an intimate wedding.
3. VENUE FLEXIBILITY
A more intimate guest list gives you access to a wider range of alternative wedding venues. Scotland has an incredible breadth of fantastic spots to marry - urban and rural alike. The bigger the numbers the more restrictions there are. With an intimate wedding you aren’t really limited. You’ll find many awesome wedding venues have lots of smaller rooms and outdoor space better suited to reduced numbers. You may even find you’ll have on-site accommodation for everyone who’s coming. Think about this. You could have a wee get together the day before the wedding and then something the day after if you’re all onsite. What a lovely way to begin married life together - surrounded by those you love and value most.
4. MORE TIME ON THE DAY
No matter the size of your wedding, you’ll find it’ll whizz by. That’s why I’ll always advocate for booking a great photographer and if possible, videographer too. It’s the way by which you’ll recall those fleeting moments. With more guests, there’s more of a pull on your precious, exceptionally limited time. The couples I’ve worked with who’ve gone for smaller weddings are always delighted with the fact that they managed to spend quality time with the folks they’re celebrating their wedding with.
5. GENUINELY RELAXED ATMOSPHERE
Micro weddings are always far more relaxed than those with bigger numbers. Maybe it’s partly to do with nerves - fewer people means less to no nerves. Fewer people also mean you’re less inclined to be uptight about everything being perfect. Couples are usually less stressed if things don’t quite go to plan. A smaller-sized wedding seems to go hand in hand with a reduced sense of pressure. Because couples are more relaxed from the outset, they’re usually more able to be present in the moment.
