Should You Throw a Microwedding? Also, What Is a Microwedding??
Microweddings aren’t just a “pandemic trend” anymore. They’ve become a real, lasting shift in how couples think about weddings. The appeal is obvious: fewer guests, more intention. But whether a microwedding is right for you depends on what you value most, and what tradeoffs you’re willing to make.
Here’s what a microwedding actually is, why it’s trending, and how to decide if it fits your priorities.
What is a microwedding?
A microwedding is typically a wedding with a very small number of guests. Most microweddings fall in the 10 to 30 guest range. The exact number varies, but the defining feature is that it’s intimate. It’s still a real wedding - ceremony, beautiful details, meaningful moments - just in a smaller format than the traditional 100 - 200+ guest format.
Think: private dinner party energy, not ballroom production.
Why microweddings are trending
People are increasingly prioritizing:
meaningful time with guests
higher quality experiences
less performance, more presence
spending on what actually matters to them
And on the practical side: travel is expensive, guest lists are complicated, and couples are more comfortable choosing a wedding that reflects their values rather than tradition.
The two ways to approach a microwedding
1) Save money by scaling down
With fewer guests, your costs can decrease dramatically with less food, fewer tables, smaller venue, fewer rentals, fewer everything. This approach is great if you’d rather keep the wedding simple and put money toward your honeymoon, a home, or savings.
2) Keep the same budget, upgrade the experience
This is the “higher cost per person” route and it’s where microweddings really shine. Instead of feeding 150 people chicken or fish, you can do:
a truly incredible tasting menu
upgraded wines and cocktails
a more luxurious venue
elevated florals and design
a boutique inn buyout
personalized welcome gifts
Same budget, fewer people, way higher quality.
Pros of a microwedding
You can actually talk to everyone. This is huge. Most big weddings turn into a blur of hellos and photos. Microweddings feel human.
Details can be thoughtful and personal. With fewer guests, you can do things that don’t scale, like custom notes, curated menus, meaningful favors, and special experiences.
Less chaos, more presence. You can enjoy your own wedding instead of managing it.
It can feel more luxurious. Even if you spend the same total amount, a smaller guest list can create an elevated, intimate feel.
Cons of a microwedding
Guest list decisions get more intense. With limited spots, every invite feels high-stakes. It’s easiest if you have a clear rubric to hold the line of who gets invited and who doesn’t.
Some people may be offended. Not inviting extended family, coworkers, or friends can create tension, especially if your circles are used to big weddings.
It’s not ideal for certain formats. If you want a huge dance party, packed dance floor, and “big wedding energy,” a microwedding may feel too quiet.
What people don’t realize: microweddings can still take a ton of planning
This surprises a lot of couples: smaller doesn’t always mean easier.
Many vendors are set up for large weddings with default packages. Think:
minimum guest counts
standard timelines
multi-hour staff requirements
catering minimums
rental bundles sized for 100+
With a microwedding, you often have to:
negotiate custom packages
find boutique vendors who specialize in intimate events
DIY certain elements
be more hands-on overall
In other words: you might save stress on guest management, but you may spend more time customizing logistics.
Quick considerations before you decide
What do you and your fiancé care most about? What are your core values?
What have you enjoyed (or not enjoyed) from weddings you’ve attended? What do you remember most about the weddings you’ve been to?
Do you care more about community and vibe or intimacy and depth?
Would you rather spend on including more people or a investing in a better experience for each person?
Are you okay with some people being left out?
Do you want a dance floor moment or a dinner party moment?
Are you open to customizing vendors and packages?
Final verdict
A microwedding is a very personal choice but it’s absolutely worth considering. If you want a wedding that feels intentional, elevated, and genuinely connected, it can be the best decision you make. Just go in with clear eyes: small doesn’t automatically mean simple, but it can mean more meaningful.
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