Among all the latest wedding trends gripping the United States, micro-weddings are becoming increasingly popular among younger couples. These intimate gatherings are the perfect solution for young couples who value the company of close friends and family over being the center of attention. As a bonus, it’s also a cost-friendly solution.
But, with that said, there’s no reason why intimate weddings can’t be celebrated with the same excitement and fervor as traditional ceremonies. In this article, we’ll show you how to make a micro wedding special while proving that bigger is not always better.
What is a Micro Wedding
First, let’s take a second to understand the trend.
What is it that makes a wedding micro? Well, for starters, the guest list is significantly edited down. Rather than inviting everyone from ex-colleagues to family you haven’t spoken to in years, you put together a list of 25-50 people who you truly want to attend.
A second notable feature is that small weddings allow for a lot more creativity. Sure, you can still stick to tradition for most of the proceedings — but when there are only a few dozen people’s interests to look out for, there are fewer expectations and more room for you to come up with outlandish ideas, or locations.
The most prominent feature of a micro wedding, however, is that it is easier to execute. Small weddings cost less, require less micromanaging, and are more adaptable and flexible. Plus, considering the average cost of a bigger L.A. wedding is about $50,000, many couples find it to be the only viable solution.
How to Plan a Micro Wedding
While planning a micro wedding is easier than, say, deciding on flower arrangements for months, it’s not without its own considerations. Usually, bigger events give you more wiggle room, because there are a lot more distractions. However, having only about 50-100 guests in attendance puts a lot of pressure on the hosts to ensure everyone’s having a good time. So it’s important that during the planning stage you:
Take Time Out to Make the Perfect Guest List
One mistake many couples make when planning a micro wedding is leaving the task of putting together a guest list for the end — there are only a few dozen people to invite after all! But it’s for this exact reason that we recommend getting started early on in the planning phase. Think about it: If you only invite 35 people, and miss even a single name, you risk potentially ruining a friendship.
At the same time, many others find it hard to cut the list down — ending up with hundreds of names, and a wedding that isn’t very micro after all.
Choose Location/Decor Wisely
The beauty of micro weddings is that they open up a world of possibilities when it comes to venues and decor. Since you have fewer guests, you can experiment with locations, choose an offbeat destination, or even host a party in a backyard.
But if you don’t want to get into planning the finer details, a small wedding venue in Los Angeles can also be the ideal backdrop for an intimate affair. This way, you can pour more of your budget into decor, lighting, catering, and making sure your friends and family have the time of their lives.
Consider Picking a Theme
It takes more than a small guest list and a quick search of banquet halls in Los Angeles to make a small wedding special. There has to be a certain level of personalization involved. We’re talking about your closest group of friends and family after all.
This is not to say that you have to go over-the-top when picking a theme — no one needs a Netflix-style wedding. But even small choices, such as including a few pieces of antique decor, or opting for a Boho-chic theme, can give your wedding a personal touch.
Think of the event as an experience and consider how each element — from the outfits and music to the food and flowers — aligns with the mood you want to create.
Don’t Forget to Select Vendors
Depending on your micro wedding budget, there are a number of add-ons you could offer. If you’re unsure about food, for instance, go through some options for catering in Glendale. Similarly, you could hire a florist, a DJ, a photographer, or a hair and make-up stylist for the bridesmaids. The choice of wedding activities for guests is entirely up to you — and a fun way to spend the extra money you save on a big event.
The Micro Wedding Checklist
The days leading up to a wedding can be stressful, even if you are essentially planning a party with your closest friends and family. It’s really important that you stay organized. Tick off all items on this checklist to ensure the build-up to the wedding is calm and incident-free:
- Book an appropriate venue — one that’s neither too big nor too small. If this is proving to be trickier than you anticipated, check out this guide on how to choose a wedding banquet hall.
- Account for every expense. There’s no one fixed answer to how much does a micro wedding cost? This makes maintaining a budget absolutely crucial.
- Send out the guest list well in advance. Being proactive when drafting a guest list will help you make sure that everyone who matters has been sent an invite.
- Make sure you’ve accounted for food. A good meal can seal the deal, so do some research and find the perfect catering menu in Los Angeles.
- Take some time out to perfect the style, and hire appropriate vendors. Remember that most micro-wedding ideas value quality over quantity.
- Select your attire a few weeks before the big day. This will give you enough time to make any alterations or adjustments.
- Don’t forget to arrange for transportation to and from the venue. Even for a small wedding, you need to make sure that everyone is there rosy-cheeked and on time.
- Be creative with the theme. There are several ideas for intimate weddings that are affordable and easy to execute, so you’re only limited by your imagination.
How to Make a Micro Wedding Special With Vivaldi Venues
Planning a micro wedding at one of the premium venues in Glendale is certainly easier than a massive event, but it’s not without its pitfalls. In between choosing decor, tasting the menu, drafting guest lists, and having to show up on the big day fresh and excited — it can all get a bit overwhelming.
So why not offload some of the pressure? The team at Vivaldi Venues is committed to making sure your event goes off without a hitch. Apart from catering services, we offer spaces for small gatherings and medium-sized wedding venues for 150 guests in Los Angeles. Contact us to make your micro event a grand success.