A global pandemic has turned life upside down for couples wanting to solemnize their union around family and friends. Social distancing mandates and travel restrictions have impacted the ability to gather in large groups for special occasions. Microweddings have emerged as a popular option for couples looking to celebrate with a reduced guest list, usually 50 participants or fewer. Some people are discovering that they are a great option even as places are opening back up and removing restrictions. Explore all things related to this ceremony type and hear how it might be the perfect way to say “I do.”
What Is a Microwedding?
As the name suggests, a microwedding is a wedding ceremony that’s on a much smaller scale. Ceremonies of this type usually have no more than 50 guests, which are limited to the closest of friends and family members. They’re distinct from elopements, which are usually of a sudden and somewhat secretive nature, involving the couple, an officiant, witnesses, and not much more. It’s also not the same as a “minimony.” A portmanteau of “mini” and “ceremony,” a minimony is a very small gathering of 10 or fewer that solemnizes the union with the understanding that there will be a sequel event at a later date that resembles a traditional celebration. Think of a microwedding as the halfway point between a typical marriage celebration and an elopement.
What’s the Point?
Although microweddings present an opportunity for couples to tie the knot during restrictions on public gatherings, they’re not just about a limited guest list. Many spouses-to-be use them as a chance to focus more on the details, resulting in a heightened experience for each guest. Imagine having a wedding reception where guests enjoy a multi-course meal with wine pairings, prepared and curated respectively by a top chef and a sommelier. That would be more feasible and affordable for a guest list of 50 or fewer, as opposed to several hundred guests. A microwedding may be less expensive overall, but significantly more expensive on a cost-per-guest basis.
Can My Microwedding Be Special?
Focusing on celebrating with a smaller group is more than just having an expensive menu. Some couples are going big when it comes to the details. From destination weddings to splurging on staples such as a high-fashion gown or over-the-top cake, celebrants are taking the opportunity to realize fairytale ceremonies with microweddings. A smaller guest list allows the happy couple to spend money on transportation and lodging for cherished guests. You’re free to think outside the box when it comes to your big day. Instead of a typical wedding followed by a reception, you could do something different like a ski trip that combines the ceremony and the honeymoon. You could say “I do” in sexy swimwear on a beach somewhere sunny and relaxing.
What Are Some Other Perks of Microweddings?
Microweddings offer flexibility when it comes to other details of the big day. Consider these ideas for your nuptials:
- Alternate venues: A smaller guest list means that your wedding and reception can be held in other venues, such as museums, breweries, or other places of interest. Many of these venues can accommodate smaller parties, pandemic or no pandemic.
- Ceremony broadcasting: You can video or film your event and post it online on social media or a wedding website for many more people to see, which is a great way to include others who aren’t as close to you or your partner.
- Focusing on the few: There’s a lot going on, and it’s hard to see and spend time with everyone who has been invited. At a microwedding, you can spend more meaningful time with the few.
For Canadians who are ready to make things official, microweddings are here to stay. You and your spouse-to-be can spend your resources on accommodating a few over the many. This can eliminate a lot of the stress that comes with typical weddings.
