Let’s get you lovebirds married! Your marriage is still a cause for celebration, even if it has to look a little different.  If you are an engaged couple whose wedding was postponed, would like an intimate wedding or your budget has shifted; we wanted to give you some tips on how to plan a purposeful and personalized micro wedding. Read on – Because a celebration is still at hand!

What is a “Micro Wedding”?

A mini celebration with fewer than 20 guests.  Includes family and super close friends for a quick ceremony, champagne toast, dessert, and a send-off.   A micro wedding can be planned and executed with the assistance of a wedding planner within 1-2 months.  

The following 8 things are needed to have a micro wedding

Venue & Date

Don’t be afraid to get creative when choosing the perfect location for your micro wedding.  Typically a traditional wedding venue doesn’t make sense for a smaller wedding, but in these current times, many of them are offering more intimate options for couples to consider.

Need some location ideas? Consider any of the following suggestions for your micro wedding:

• Gardens
• Warehouse/Industrial 
• Art Gallery 
• Hotels
• Historic Homes 
• Restaurants & Breweries 
• Rental Homes

If you’re flexible, consider planning your wedding during an off-season, weekday, Friday, or Sunday.  Venues are more likely to be flexible and customize a package for you.  

We provide venue recommendations to our Georgia and Metro Atlanta couples when they hire us to plan their micro wedding. 

Guests List

For a micro wedding, you invite fewer than 20 guests, which includes your family and super close friends.   When creating your guest’s list, think about who in your lives you would want to be present on your wedding day. These are the people that mean the most to you. 

Photography & Videography

When hiring a wedding photographer and/or videographer to capture your intimate moments we suggest two options:

• 90 minutes to 2 hours to capture the ceremony, cake cutting, champagne toast, family/friends photos, and couples portraits.  This is the best option to make sure you have all the most important images of your wedding. 
• 3 to 4 hours to capture the moments when you are getting ready, first look, and all the way to the end of the celebration.  

Floral, Decor & Rentals

Some micro wedding locations will need little to no decor because the aesthetics will speak for themselves.  When booking a location ask what is included in the rental fee (chairs, tables, linens, etc.). If items are not included or you do not like the pieces included choose pieces from a local rental company. 

Envision your “wedding ceremony” and what does it look like? Contact a local floral designer to create a stylish ceremony installation aka altar and your personal flowers such as Bridal/Bridesmaids Bouquets and Groom/Groomsmen Boutonnieres. 

Officiant

Hire a professional wedding officiant to perform your wedding ceremony and assist with filing the marriage license.   If you are interested in having a friend or family member officiate have them get ordinances and become familiar with the ceremony process.  Customize your ceremony as you would like – go with traditional vows or take a little time to write your own.  

Music & Sound

Select the music you want playing for your celebration from start to finish. 

• Prelude – Guest arrival (15-20 minutes)
• Ceremony – Recessional (entrance) and Processional (exit)
• Cake Cutting & Celebration 

We suggest you hire a DJ or AV company to assist you with setting up/managing the sound system (speakers and microphones) so that guests can hear you exchange your vows and the music you selected will be heard clearly. 

Cake & Champagne

 

You said “I Do” now celebrate with cake and champagne.  Select your favorite local bakery and order a small tier cake to feed the number of guests you’ll have present or mini desserts to share.  Pour Champagne or Sparkling Cider into fun flutes and toast to your love.  Check with your venue or town policy for serving champagne.

 

Planning & Logistics

Do not let the ease of planning a wedding with fewer than 20 guests give you a false sense of the plans and details. A micro wedding can be planned in 1-2 months but like any event big or small will require details. If you are planning a laid-back ceremony in your backyard with 10 guests you can probably handle it on your own. 

On the other hand, if your micro wedding is detailed and you have hired 4-6 vendors, we highly recommend enlisting the assistance of a professional wedding planner in your area to assist you.  Keep in mind that some planners may offer “micro and intimate wedding packages that will be perfect for your small wedding. 

Are you ready to get married?  Your marriage is a cause for celebration, even if it has to look a little different. As a seasoned team of Atlanta wedding planners, we’re here to help you plan an intimate, tasteful, and elegant wedding that is still full of joy. That’s why we offer high-touch, customizable micro and intimate wedding packages for couples who won’t let a big speed bump get in the way of their Big Day. Browse our offerings for  Small Weddings Atlanta—and then get ready to celebrate.  

Blog Photo Credit: Andre Brown Photography