How to Plan a Micro-Wedding

My husband and I just celebrated our one year wedding anniversary (time flies!), and instead of a traditional wedding, we had a Micro-Wedding with our close family and friends.

Planning a microwedding—an intimate, scaled-down version of a traditional wedding—has become increasingly popular for couples seeking a meaningful celebration with a limited guest list. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you design a beautiful, stress-free microwedding that reflects your personality and style.

1. Define Your Vision and Set a Budget

The first step is envisioning what you want your micro-wedding to look like. We had a December wedding date so Holiday decor was important to us. We had no specifications for attire, but this is also an option. Consider the style, location, and atmosphere that you and your partner desire, from a local celebration to a destination elopement. Microweddings typically host up to 50 guests, allowing for a more personalized experience and more flexibility in budgeting. Even with fewer guests, setting a budget early on can help you decide where to allocate funds—whether it’s on unique decor, a luxurious meal, or good photography.

2. Select a Meaningful Venue

We knew we wanted to get married in our hometown, Milwaukee. We originally opted for a courthouse wedding with little to no guests, but as the special day grew closer, so did the desire to accommodate more people. As a result, we had our micro-wedding at the Women’s Club of Wisconsin which already had gorgeous Holiday-themed decor. This saved us a ton of time and money.

One of the benefits of a smaller guest list opens up a wide range of venue options. Unlike traditional weddings, a microwedding can take place in unconventional locations such as art galleries, cozy cafes, botanical gardens, private homes, or scenic outdoor settings.

Since you won’t need a large venue, you can explore beautiful, intimate spots that may not accommodate large crowds but offer charm and ambiance perfect for a smaller gathering. Think about locations that have personal significance, such as a favorite park, city, or a family member’s backyard.

3. Curate Your Guest List with Intention

Carefully choosing a small circle of friends and family lets you enjoy quality time with each person without feeling overwhelmed with having to satisfy tons of people. We had an idea early on who the most meaningful guests were. Definitely communicate clearly if you want a strictly intimate atmosphere. By keeping the guest list small, you can create a closer, more personal experience where everyone can truly connect.

4. Personalize Your Ceremony and Reception

With fewer guests, there’s more freedom to design a day that truly reflects your relationship. Consider writing your own vows, curating the perfect playlist, creating a unique ceremony script, or including special traditions that mean something to both of you. You can also personalize the reception by creating a custom menu, incorporating favorite dishes, or designing themed decor that tells your story.

5. Focus on High-Impact Decor and Experiences

For a microwedding, each detail stands out, making it possible to create a more luxurious or unique experience. Depending on what time of year your wedding date is, many venues are already beautifully decorated. Otherwise, consider investing in elegant floral arrangements, custom signage, or a beautiful tablescape. You might also consider offering personalized welcome gifts, custom favors, or arranging entertainment that enhances the intimate vibe, like an acoustic musician or a live painter. These unique touches leave a lasting impression on your guests.

6. Hire or Ask a Family Friend to Coordinate

While the planning process for a microwedding is simpler than a traditional wedding, I still had a close friend help me with coordinating things on wedding day. This helped tremendously. Consider a wedding planner who specializes in microweddings so they can help streamline the process and find vendors accustomed to small-scale events. Alternatively, if you’re the DIY type, you may want to handle elements like flowers or decor yourself to save on costs.

9. Enjoy Every Moment

Our microwedding was a perfectly relaxed atmosphere with important people to help us celebrate. Even though it’s a small celebration, it goes by quickly like a traditional wedding. Enjoy the intimate setting, and focus on the significance of the celebration—the love between you and your partner. A microwedding is an opportunity to create an intimate, stress free environment for your special day, but it still takes some organizing and planning. Download my complete checklist to planning a small microwedding here.