So what exactly is a Micro Wedding?

A micro wedding is not so much a new phenomenon but rather a new term applied to small and intimate weddings for your closest family and friends; perfect for those couples who would prefer not to have the big white wedding in front of hundreds of guests, some of whom they don't really know.

A micro wedding is for no more than 30 guests, much less than the usual 80 t0 120 which is the average in the UK. It offers complete flexibility for a couple to have a much more personal wedding day; celebrations are also much more relaxed and much shorter than the usual big white wedding day.

With larger gatherings on hold for what looks like sometime to come, many couples who are determined to marry on their chosen wedding date are deciding to go ahead with a smaller wedding. Some will go on and celebrate at a later date with the large numbers of family and friends they had originally planned; others will decide just to have the one wedding day just on a smaller scale but make it extra special.

Not only can a micro wedding be completely magical and personal to the couple but there can be some added benefits, particularly budget wise. Less numbers can also mean massive savings in the budget; with less mouths to feed there will be a huge saving on the catering costs, savings on flowers with less table centres or bridesmaids, less favours, less alcohol for cocktail hour and table wines, no band or DJ or evening entertainment.

However, the savings can be the perfect opportunity to add those personal and luxury touches to make the wedding day that extra special; spending extra on flowers or a higher quality dinner or champagne instead of prosecco.

Photo: @jobradburyphotography Styling: @iron_swan_and_co

What to consider when planning a micro wedding

The Guest List

At the moment (October 2020) the number of weddings in the UK varies between 30 (Wales) and 15 (England). Local lockdowns are also adding complications to those who can attend the actual ceremony and then the reception afterwards. It also varies between venues who is counted in that number due to capacity and ensuring social distancing; the number may include your registrar and photographer so its always worth checking first before you comprise your guest list.

Such a small guest list means that difficult decisions will have to be made and guests uninvited; someone is always going to be upset but hopefully they will understand the circumstances. Who you invite will depend on who you prioritise, whether that is parents, grand parents, brothers and sisters or friends; it's also worth considering where people are travelling from and if anyone could be placed at risk by attending.

If you need to exclude anyone truly special to you for safety, try and find a way to include them in the day, whether that's a quick visit to them in your wedding outfits, streaming the ceremony via zoom or sending a duplicate of your wedding bouquet.

Design: @mulberrymarketdesigns

The Venue

If you already have a venue booked, we would recommend you speak to them first about what they can offer you as an alternative to what you already have booked. Is there a smaller space that they can offer you or a change of menu for example. Are they able to accommodate you with smaller numbers; for some venues smaller numbers may not be viable for them as a business. Could they offer accomodation for your guests or are they happy to refund any overspend.

If you don't have a venue booked already, then smaller numbers opens up many new possibilities, such as a local restaurant, café or bar, a smaller room in a more lavish venue than you would have usually been previously been unable to afford or even an outdoors setting in local gardens or grounds of a castle. Choose somewhere that is special to you both.

Venue: @gathmyalhall Photo: @nestalloydphoto Flowers: @flower_lounge

Creative Director & Stationery: @knockknockpennystation

Your Wedding Day

How you choose to organise your day is now completely up to you, there are no rules to a micro wedding. You can choose which traditions are important to you and which you can leave behind, there's no need for speeches, or cake cutting or any of the usual formality that a larger wedding brings.

You could even make your wedding day last a little longer by booking accommodation the night before for your guests, having a relaxed BBQ or dinner the night before, a brunch on the morning of your wedding, followed by a late afternoon wedding, drinks reception and romantic dinner, before retiring for the night.

With no dancing currently allowed entertainment could either be as simple as a playlist of your favourite songs, a solo singer, harpist or string quartet; depending on your wedding vibe.

There's also no need for the photographer to be hanging around all day snapping away. Whilst some guests like this, many find it an intrusion. Why not go back to the traditional photography where the key parts of the day are captured, along with photos of the wedding guests and of course those beautiful, personal shots of the wedding couple. Once the meal has started let the photographer go, you won't be looking at hundreds of snaps in years to come, only the important ones.

It also need not last all day and all night until you're both exhausted! Why not offer your guests nightcaps as a way of finishing the evening; thank everyone for coming and take your leave. Years ago it was traditional for the wedding guests to wave off the happy couple, reintroduce this even if its just to the bridal suite in the hotel or venue. After all you have years ahead of you to spend more time with your family and friends; there's only one wedding night, why not make it special!

Dress Code

The joy of a smaller wedding is that you can set the dress code to fit in with your theme, whether that's cocktail dress, traditional wedding attire or casual beach wear.

It also gives the wedding couple a chance to be a little different in their chosen attire. Whether that's a shorter, coloured or patterned dress for the bride; or an alternative colour suit for the groom or even more casual like shirt and trousers rather than a suit. There is no need to be traditional.

Florals @emily.artistry Photo: nicolecolwellphotography Venue: @theivyrosebarn

Flowers & Styling

If you love flowers or flowers are an important part of your wedding day, with less table centres and possibly less bridesmaids bouquets and button holes to budget for, this is your chance to spend a little of those savings on a statement display such as a cloud burst, decorative flower arch or maybe a meadow walk for the ailse.

Many brides are opting for smaller, simpler bouquets for a more casual affair, whilst others are choosing elaborate floral table runners for a decadent look. You could also give out button holes and corsages to all guests as a lovely gesture.

Your table setting is also where you can add a little luxury, rather than using your caterers standard tableware and glassware, why not invest in some gorgeous options to meet your scheme, such as crystal glasses, gold cutlery or coloured linens.

Bouquet: @theterracelondon

Catering

With less mouths to feed it's so much easier to be able to tailor your menu to foods that you prefer rather than having to keep everyone happy, its also much easier to cater for smaller numbers, which is why you often have some form of meat and vegetables for a main course at larger weddings. Again the setting of your venue and theme of your wedding will set the scene for your food choices, whether its a casual BBQ, sumptuous afternoon tea or elaborate 5 or 6 course tasting menu. A micro wedding really is a foodies idea of heaven!

Table setting: @duchessbutler Photo: @thebrandstudio Styling: @signaturesoirees

The best thing about a micro wedding?

You can make it as personal to you as a couple as you wish. Every last detail can mean something special to you and your family, you can focus on the things that make you happy whatever they may be.

What's even more special is that with less guests to get around and spend time with, you'll have more time for each other on the day. Remember to take time for yourselves, recognise those special moments and most importantly have fun!

Ginny Weasley

"Seems silly, doesn't it? A wedding. Given everything that's going on?"

Harry Potter

"Maybe that's the reason to have it. Because of everything that's going on"

If you're looking for help to plan your micro wedding or a venue who's not sure what you can offer for just 30 guests, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us at Magnolia & Me.

Email: hello@magnoliaandmeconsultancy.co.uk

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