Not a Big Wedding Person? Read This First.

The bells are ringing. The rings are ready. Congratulations are in order. Exciting, right? But this is also when reality steps in. Romance is wonderful, but budgets still exist, and they never take a break.

The national average for a traditional wedding in 2024 is $33,000. Yeah. Holy shnikies. $33,000 to celebrate one day. And it really starts to feel a little obscene when you start comparing that price tag to other things you could buy with that kind of money. The honeymoon of your dreams that will last a lifetime, several years’ worth of rent or a down payment on your first home, a car that starts every morning without a grumble, even a semester’s tuition at that fancy little school. Real-life things that last far, far longer than the party and the partying. And to be honest, that same $33,000 could go toward a few months of living without the stress of budgets or student loan payments or even a killer cross-country road trip.

For couples, this is where other options start to make sense. Not smaller because it is lesser, but smaller because it is intentional. Enter the micro wedding.

What Is a Micro Wedding, Really?

A micro wedding maintains the structure of a wedding day. Ceremony? Check.  Party afterward? You better believe it.  Are there still vows, photos, and moments you will remember? Absolutely. The difference? Scale. A micro wedding typically includes 50 people orrrrr fewer, often made up of close friends and family—the people who actually know your middle name, who will laugh at your jokes, and who definitely want to be there.

Smaller guest counts naturally help cut the costs, but they also make the experience. Micro weddings are not automatically casual or stripped down. You can go formal, minimalist, bohemian, or embrace bold design choices that would feel like an eyesore at a larger event. Fewer people means more control over the mood, flow, and feel of the day. Every detail becomes noticeable, and nothing gets lost in the sauce of hundreds of guests.

Opting for a smaller guest list also allows you the luxury of choosing an unconventional venue. Private estates. Boutique hotels. Intimate outdoor spaces. Cozy restaurants. Art galleries that would never, ever host a huge crowd (or your second cousin’s kids with sticky lil fingers). Couples often start their venue search by looking at micro wedding venues by state, many of which specialize in venues for 40+ or more guests, while still feeling intimate and personal. This allows you to enjoy the perks of a small, intentional celebration, without feeling like you’re leaving anyone behind.

Popular Themes for Micro Weddings

We love so many benefits to a micro wedding, but one of our favorites is that your wedding theme actually WORKS. You’re not trying to make a monstrosity of a ballroom fit your theme or wondering what to do with a bunch of empty corners. Some of my favorite micro wedding themes are:

• Elegant minimalism: Clean lines, soft neutrals, and a touch of understated decor. The perfect theme if you want to go chic and timeless. 
• Nature-inspired: Gardens, beaches, mountains. The great outdoors is part of your wedding design, whether that means being surrounded by wildflowers, greenery, or crashing ocean waves. 
• Urban-inspired: Rooftops, lofts, or cityscapes. From the cocktails to the skyline views, your wedding will have a sleek, modern look. 
• Bohemian or rustic: Flowy fabrics, warm lighting, and earthy textures. A more casual theme with charm and warmth, but without looking cluttered. 
• Destination-inspired: Mini beach escapes, vineyard weekends, or cozy mountain getaways, even if you stay in-state. 

The smaller the scale, the more your theme will feel intentional instead of forced or overproduced. And your flowers, decor, lighting, and special details will make an impact and won’t get lost in the shuffle. (Such a waste of money.) Instead, you’ll be able to focus more time on curating special, unique touches like handwritten menus, personalized wedding favors, or even a bespoke cocktail that’s perfect for your personalities.

How to Create a Guest List for a Micro Wedding

This piece can start to feel icky. You have to figure out where your friends and family members fall on your list. Begin by thinking about presence, not obligation. Who do you want to be in your presence? Who will remember this day five years from now? Who will celebrate you and your partner without judgment? That. Is. Your. List.

The beauty of 50 people or fewer is that everyone at your party can be someone. You can connect, mingle, and be in it together. No waving from across the room or “getting through” quick chats you’ll hardly remember. This way, all of your guests are participants, not bystanders.

Here’s a pro tip: Make one master list of absolutely everyone you could imagine inviting, then divide the list into tiers. Tier one: Must-haves (friends/family). Tier two: Would-likes, but not critical to having. Tier three: Nopes. And begin whittling down until you reach 50 people or fewer. Just do it. Trust yourself and the process. (Fewer guests are almost always better, leading to a day that is richer, calmer and truly enjoyable.) Another tip: play it safe with a few extra slots. It’s not uncommon for people to RSVP “no” or have last-minute scheduling conflicts, so plan just under 50 if you want to stay truly intimate.

Bonus: Don’t forget to plan for plus-ones, if necessary; again, your “friends and family” list.

How to Plan a Micro Wedding on a Budget

Even with a smaller guest list, costs can add up. Begin by deciding what matters most to you—whether it’s the venue, food, photography, or the overall experience. Then, plan your budget around those priorities.

A lot of couples getting married also pick micro wedding planning packages, which bundle coordination, officiating, photography, and sometimes even catering or floral design. Packages reduce stress, simplify logistics, and make budgeting easier. The goal is efficiency without sacrificing personality.

Smaller numbers also allow for budget flexibility. You can invest more in a stunning location, a chef-driven menu, or personalized touches. You can hire a local musician instead of a large band, splurge on a unique dessert, or include interactive elements like a photo booth or a custom signature cocktail. Micro weddings are small enough that these details make a noticeable difference.

Micro Wedding Benefits and Trade-offs

The flexibility of a micro wedding is often underrated. Fewer guests mean more meaningful interactions. Smaller numbers open up venues that would otherwise be impossible. Unique locations suddenly become viable. Imagine an intimate beach ceremony at sunset, a vineyard tucked away from the crowds, a mountaintop elopement-meets-celebration, or a private art gallery in the city.

Destination micro weddings become realistic too. With fewer guests and a more manageable budget, traveling somewhere special is not just a pipe dream. Planning is lighter. Less moving parts, fewer decisions, and fewer things to stress about.

The main trade-off is scale. By definition, you will not include everyone. If maximum freedom and a fully non-traditional experience is your goal, elopement may offer even more flexibility.

The History of Elopement

Elopement has a reputation, and historically, it earned it. For a long time, eloping meant running off to get married without parental consent. It was often a last resort for couples whose families or society frowned on their relationship. If you’ve read a Jane Austen novel, you know the plot.

Over time, the definition has shifted. While elopement still carries hints of rebellion and independence, it no longer implies secrecy or family drama by default. Today, eloping simply means choosing a smaller, intentional way to get married.

Modern Elopements

Modern elopements are thoughtfully planned ceremonies built entirely around the couple. This might be a simple exchange of vows with immediate family, a few friends watching a sunset ceremony on the beach, or an officiant joining you on a mountaintop hike. Dress codes, themes, and locations are completely flexible. Formal, casual, or playful—the choice is yours.

Elopements allow for creativity in ways a traditional wedding cannot. Want a themed costume ceremony? Go for it. Want to hike into the mountains with just your closest friends? Perfect. Want a low-key city hall elopement followed by a casual dinner? Absolutely. The common thread is freedom, not impulse.

Which Should You Choose: Micro Wedding or Elopement?

The question is simple: Do you want the structure of a traditional ceremony and reception, or complete creative freedom?

If you like the idea of a familiar wedding flow but on a smaller scale, a micro wedding is your path. You get the ceremony, the reception, and the social moments, without the stress or size of a large event.

If flexibility matters more than tradition, an elopement makes more sense to you. You can design the day entirely around your preferences, with fewer expectations, fewer constraints, and endless creative potential.

Here are a few scenarios:

• Scenario 1: You want a sit-down dinner with your closest 40 friends and family, and a short ceremony at a unique venue. This math adds up to a micro wedding.
• Scenario 2: You want to hike to a cliffside at sunset, exchange vows, and then grab takeout with your best friends. Elopement.
• Scenario 3: You want a city loft for 50 people, cocktails, music, and a small dance floor. Micro wedding.
• Scenario 4: You want to elope in a foreign country with just your partner and an officiant. This is an elopement.

Make It Your Own With Simply Eloped

At Simply Eloped, our goal is to help couples create weddings that feel like you. Micro weddings bring structure with a small guest list and a manageable budget. Elopements take that simplicity further. In both cases, fewer people often means more time, more flexibility, and a stress-free day.

You bring your people, your vision, your priorities. We handle logistics, coordination, and all the little details. Let’s make this celebration yours.

Curious what that could look like? Explore our micro wedding planning packages, check out micro wedding venues by state, and see how your day could unfold. With the right planning, your wedding can be small, meaningful, and completely unforgettable.

Written by Tori Ward

Victoria Ward is a writer at Simply Eloped as well as a Keats Marginalia scholar and Storyfort finalist for her fiction and creative nonfiction. When she is not writing about elopements, she writes grants for her research and non-profit work.