Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
Have you ever wondered “What is a micro wedding?”? If so, we’ve got the answer for you! Keep reading to learn all about microweddings and the differences between a micro wedding vs elopement. In this post, we’re also sharing the benefits of a micro wedding to help you decide whether or not planning one is right for you (spoiler – if you’re reading this, it probably is.).
Table of Contents
- What is a Micro Wedding?
- Elopement vs Micro Wedding – What’s the Difference?
- 4 Benefits of a Micro Wedding
- Microwedding Inspiration and Resources
- Micro Wedding FAQs
- What You Need to Know About Packages For Your Microwedding
- Meet Your Micro Wedding Photographers
- Are You Ready to Start Your Micro Wedding Planning?
What is a Micro Wedding?
Ok, back to the original question – what is a micro wedding?
Picture this: the intimacy and freedom of an elopement combined with a few classic wedding vibes that make for the ultimate celebration with your closest people. That, my friends, is a micro wedding (also known as – in the words of Hannah Montana – the best of both worlds!).
Microweddings offer the perfect middle ground for couples who are undecided between an elopement and a wedding. They allow you to say “I do” in a way that feels authentic to you without an overwhelming guest list or a day filled with formalities. They take the best parts of elopements (freedom, intimacy, and adventure) and weddings (traditions, friends and family, and an epic party) and combine them into one best day ever! Seriously, what could be better than that?
Elopement vs Micro Wedding – What’s the Difference?
Guest Count
One of the biggest things that sets micro weddings apart from other weddings is the guest count. While the exact number of guests might look a little different from photographer to photographer, here at Between the Pine, we consider micro weddings to include anywhere from 15 to 50 guests*.
From our experience, once your guest list grows beyond 15 people, the planning process starts to feel a bit more like planning a traditional wedding (a more intimate one, of course, but still a wedding!). There are a few extra details you will need to consider, like arranging hosting logistics, food for your guests, rentals, and finding the perfect ceremony location.
Elopement vs Micro Wedding Guest Count Differences
- Elopement: 0-12 guests
- Micro Wedding: 15-50 guests*
*While we do consider micro weddings events with up to 50 guests, our team only takes on micro weddings of 30 guests or less. We’ve found elopements and weddings with this number of guests is our sweet spot, allowing us to provide consistent, top-notch service our couples.
Location
Speaking of microwedding ceremony locations, one important thing to know is that with a larger group, many of the picturesque nature trails we use for elopements aren’t the most suitable for micro wedding ceremonies. Even if your microwedding is taking place outdoors, you will still need to check the rules of the area where you plan to hold your ceremony. Some locations (like national and state parks) limit how many guests you can include, so this is one micro wedding planning step you don’t want to skip!
When it comes to choosing your microwedding ceremony location, you’ll need a space with enough room to accommodate everyone while also following Leave No Trace. As micro wedding photographers, we work with our couples to find a picture-perfect location or venue that can accommodate your guests and give the incredible experience you are looking for, all while doing our part to preserve nature!
Need some ideas for where to hold your micro wedding ceremony? Here are a few of our favorites options for ceremonies and/or celebratory meals!
- A national or state park or forest
- A micro wedding venue
- An Airbnb cabin
- A campground or day use picnic area
- Your backyard
If you are considering one of these locations for your micro wedding, check out some of our other microwedding planning resources on our blog.
Elopement vs Micro Wedding Location Differences
- Elopement: can take place at almost any outdoor location or venue
- Micro Wedding: can take place in many outdoor locations, but may have some guest count restrictions
Timeline
Just like elopements, micro weddings have a ton of flexibility when it comes to creating your dream day (or days)!
When planning your micro wedding timeline, here is one of our top tips: the more guests you invite, the more time you’ll need to fully enjoy your day (especially if you’re planning an adventure wedding in a remote location).
For many couples, planning a micro wedding in nature is all about creating an experience for your family and friends. We want to make sure you have enough time to soak in those moments with your loved ones without feeling rushed (because no one wants to feel stressed on their best day ever).
At the same time, we also know your adventure as a couple is just as important. If during the planning process, we aren’t able to fit everything into one day without enough time for rest in between, then a two-day microwedding can be the perfect solution. One way this could look is day one could be all about celebrating with your favorite people and day two could be reserved for lacing up your hiking boots and exploring with just your partner. (Talk about the best of both worlds!).
If a two-day micro wedding doesn’t feel quite right, no worries. There are still plenty of ways to make your experience both intimate and unforgettable. Consider renting a lodge, an Airbnb, or even a day-use area at a state park where you can celebrate with all your favorite people while getting to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Elopement vs Micro Wedding Timeline Differences
- Elopement: Elopement timelines can include any activities you want and go as long as you want (ie – sunrise to sunset or multi-day)
- Micro Wedding: Microwedding timelines are just as flexible as elopement timelines. However, keep in mind that the more guests you invite, the more time you will need. Consider planning a multi-day wedding if you want a best of both worlds experience.
4 Benefits of a Micro Wedding
Looking for more reasons to plan a micro wedding? We’ve got you covered!
Increases your chances of having the best weather
When it comes to Mother Nature, you can never truly know what she has in store (especially here in the PNW). Sometimes with outdoor microweddings and elopements, we have to deal with unexpected weather. As your micro wedding photographers, we are experienced in photographing in all types of weather, however, we know that it can sometimes impact the experience you had in mind.
The good news about planning a multi-day microwedding is that you get not just one, but TWO chances for the best weather ever. Even if the weather is less than ideal on day one, there is a chance that the second day will be different.
More time with guests
One of the biggest reasons couples choose a microwedding is because it allows them to truly connect and celebrate with their favorite people. Unlike traditional weddings, where you might only have a few moments to chat with each guest, a micro wedding gives you more time to enjoy meaningful conversations and experiences with the people you care about most.
Plus, with a smaller guest list, you can plan moments that feel intentional (like a hike to a beautiful lookout or a s’more campfire under the stars) and allow your guests to be actively involved in those experiences with you.
Budget-friendly alternative to traditional weddings
One of the biggest things that initially attracts a lot of couples to planning a microwedding is that it is a more budget-friendly alternative to a larger wedding. While elopements and micro weddings do not necessarily mean cheap weddings, they do allow for more creative options and intentionality for where your money is spent.
This could mean utilizing a day-use picnic area for 25 people allowing you to spend more of your budget on details you care about such as photos or video. Or, it could mean getting a better rate for your micro wedding venue (while still getting the same amazing services with an adventure) because your microwedding takes place on a weekday rather than a weekend.
Best of both worlds – adventure AND loved ones
And, of course, one of our favorite benefits of a micro wedding is because it allows you to have the best of both worlds! (Seriously, having a two-day wedding is a game-changer!). If having a meaningful celebration with your guests is just as important as having a private adventure as a couple, you don’t have to choose. You can have it all!
Microwedding Inspiration and Resources
We might be biased, but we know the best microwedding venue around! Check out this intimate wedding at our very own cabin, The Riverbend Retreat!
Kelsey and Laura planned a meaningful Olympic National Park wedding with all their loved ones. Click to see more from this two-day wedding (and learn about why we love weddings in Olympic National Park).
After a rainy first day, this couple was blessed with the most gorgeous sunny weather on day two of their two-day micro wedding! Like we said – microweddings gives you the best of both worlds!
Micro Wedding FAQs
What is a micro wedding (and should we have one)?
In the words of Hannah Montana, a microwedding is the best of both worlds! It combines elements of an elopement with elements of a wedding. It allows you to have the freedom that elopements bring as well as an intentional celebration with your favorite people. If choosing one or the other seems like an impossible choice, then a micro wedding might be the perfect solution!
What is the difference between a micro wedding and a traditional wedding?
There are a lot of differences between micro weddings and traditional weddings. Some of the biggest are – guest count (up to 50 guests vs 100+ guests), formality, timeline, traditional elements, location, experience, just to name a few.
What is the difference between a micro wedding and an elopement?
While micro weddings and elopements tend to be a bit more similar, there are still a few key differences. Elopements have few guests (typically 15 or less) and allow for a little more flexibility in terms of where the ceremony can be held.
What happens at a micro wedding?
The great thing about micro weddings is that they offer so much flexibility! You can go on an adventure hike with your loved ones or relax at an Airbnb around a campfire. You can plan a two-day micro wedding or dream up any adventure you can think of! There truly is no limit.
How many guests are at a micro wedding?
The size of micro weddings can vary, but our team considers micro weddings to include 15-50 guests.
How much does a micro wedding cost?
Micro weddings can be a more budget-friendly alternative to traditional weddings, but they are not cheap weddings. The cost of a micro wedding will mainly depend on how many guests you invite and the type of experience you want to have. In general, you can expect microweddings to cost anywhere from $20,000-$50,000+ depending on your elopement photography package, lodging, rentals, florals, catering, videographer, etc.
What are the benefits of a micro wedding?
We could go on and on about all the benefits of this type of wedding! Some of our favorite reasons to plan a micro wedding (specifically two-day micro weddings) are that it gives you a chance for better weather, it allows you to spend more time with guests, and you get a best of both worlds experience!
What You Need to Know About Packages For Your Microwedding
When choosing to have a micro wedding, we highly recommend our full-day or two-day microwedding package. Depending on what type of activities you have in mind for your day, these packages will allow you to experience the adventure you are dreaming while also getting to spend quality time with your guests. Click here to learn more about our micro wedding packages.
*Note – If your guest count hits 15-20 guests or more, we require a two-day package.
Meet Your Micro Wedding Photographers
We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that is where we gravitate towards as your micro wedding photographers. Between the Pine was founded by Mollie in 2018 and she has hiked hundreds of miles all over the Pacific Northwest and Kauai, to capture couples during their best day ever. Since 2018, we’ve grown our team and continue to hire even more incredible photographers!
Our team at Between the Pine is passionate about our jobs and adventuring to the most beautiful locations to document your best day ever. We know the Pacific Northwest like the back of our hands and are dying for a reason to head back to the mountains, forest, and everything in between! Click here to learn more about the Between the Pine team, your microwedding photographers!
Are You Ready to Start Your Micro Wedding Planning?
Wherever you choose to get married, we’re here to help you plan your best day ever with the most stunning backdrop. Contact us if you have questions about where to hold your micro wedding or if you need help deciding whether or not a micro wedding is right for you. We’d love to help you plan your best day ever!
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