Beyond the Budget - Why Micro-Weddings Are Still Trending

Content writer, Katie Pierce, and I have been exploring why the micro-wedding trend continues to have momentum, and it's not just about saving on large wedding costs, or pandemic concerns. "Micro-weddings" remain popular for urbanites and millennials. With wedding venues and vendors becoming increasingly creative and flexible, it’s easier than ever to plan a one-of-a-kind wedding that celebrates them individuality as a couple.

Obviously, micro-weddings can allow for smaller budgets, but they also allow couples to re-define and explore what type of wedding experience they wish to have.

1. You Can Spend More On What Matters Most To You

Of course you are going to save money, but the money you do save by holding a micro-wedding can be put towards the wedding elements that are most important to you. When Sara and Brandon had their 'cere-mini' at OBJX Studios, Sara was extremely excited to use the money she saved by doing a micro-wedding to splurge on her favourite flower vendor, Hunt and Gather Floral.

Scaling down your wedding can make these types of wedding purchases more attainable without breaking the bank. You can also use the money you save to upgrade your honeymoon, wedding rings, book a professional photographer, or splurge on custom outfits or shoes.

But it's more than just the budget.

Photo by Sara Tanner

2. You Can Get Married Whenever, However, and Wherever You Wish!

When you have a micro-wedding in Canada, you can hold both your legal signing ceremony and your symbolic ceremony anywhere you desire! Rather than tying the knot in a stuffy city hall chamber, Alex and Justin met me in a park in Toronto with friends for their first elopement, and planned their dream wedding in Turkey for their symbolic ceremony. A honeymoon ceremony if you will!

You can plan your location based on your personality. Maybe you want to have a wedding that’s focused on your favourite drink or food, so you could team up with a local brewery or private dining room in a restaurant. You could plan a wedding day picnic lunch or an afternoon tea party instead of a traditional wedding reception. If, say, you’re not into the idea of a sit-down dinner, why not have a fun wedding cocktail hour with passed hors d’oeuvres and signature wedding drinks?

Micro-weddings have always been popular for couples planning destination weddings. They often choose their first-date anniversary, or other lucky dates to complete the legal process, and invite those who may not be able to travel with them. Completing the paperwork in Canada saves time and translation costs. In many other countries, couples are required to post their wedding announcements in news articles months in advance (Italy and Greece for example), give blood samples (Mexico), or convert to the country's religion.

NOTE: Ontario also has hot air balloons and helicopters, so I will provide a FREE WEDDING to the first couple who opt for these unique ideas and get me in the air!

3. You Can Have A More Intimate Wedding, or Several!

One of the best things about micro-weddings is that they allow you to have a more intimate wedding day experience. With a smaller wedding guest list, you’ll be able to spend more time talking and mingling with your guests. This is the perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends and family members that you haven’t seen in a while.

It's also common when couples have family and friends all over the world. They see the value in holding several smaller celebrations in different locations, travelling to family and friends rather than having everyone travel to one location for one a large celebration.

And, with technology and video-conferencing, your family and friend's can still share in your wedding celebrations without putting financial pressure on them to travel.

4. You Can Make Your Wedding Day More About "You and Those Close to You"

Like many couples, Soojin and Uzo had been together for many years as a common-law couple, but they valued holding a wedding celebration to bring their families together. They blended their Korean and Nigerian traditions with what they both valued most, respect and appreciation for their families. The music, clothing, and the Korean ritual of bowing and offering words of love and honour to their parents was intentionally created, calmly performed, and incredibly meaningful for all of them.

You could also create a wedding weekend itinerary for your guests that includes some of the best activities that your city has to offer. This is a great way to show your guests a good time and help them make the most of their trip.

As an Officiant, I've noticed that couple's have also been more inclined to prepare meaningful, personal vows at micro-weddings. With fewer people, the pressure to write entertaining vows is replaced by words that simply share as much or as little as they feel comfortable in doing. Because the ceremony is the main event, it becomes less performance-based, and way more heartfelt.

Summerset Studio

5. You Can Make Your Own Wedding Schedule

A micro-wedding will allow you to get creative with your wedding day schedule and wedding activities. Katie and Kyle had their 'first dance' by dancing back up the aisle after their ceremony to their favourite song at One King West. Once they arrived, they gave their wedding speeches to thank everyone who attended. Their wedding combined all of the types of moments they desired into one activity with everyone they loved.

Since micro-weddings are such a unique and trendsetting wedding option, you have the opportunity to get creative and make your wedding day as unique as you are as a couple.

One way to do this is to ditch the traditional wedding elements that you don’t care about, such as bouquet tossing or games, and focus on creating wedding experiences that you and your guests will remember and cherish forever.

6. You Can Have A More Relaxed Wedding Day

One of the best things about having a smaller wedding is that there is a lot less to plan for in advance, and you don't miss out on any of the activities of day.

Since you won’t have to worry about catering to a large wedding party or managing a big wedding day calendar, you can take things at your own pace and enjoy your own party. It's also means that during your 'engagement' period, or months leading up to the wedding, there are fewer decisions to make and the entire affair is far less stressful on your relationship.

And, if you wish, you can spend more time focusing on the little details that you may have overlooked with a larger wedding. For example, you can take the time to hand-write your wedding invitations or put together welcome baskets for your out-of-town guests.

7. You Can Surround Yourself With Only The Most Supportive Guests

Micro-weddings have always been popular for couple's who aren't comfortable with being the center of attention. However, they also allow for a limited guest list of those who truly support you and respect your relationship.

For example, I had a couple reach out to me, calling themselves Romeo and Juliet. It was a Jewish and Muslim wedding: "We're the type of couple that shouldn't be together I guess, so how do we make a ceremony out of this?" Me: This is what I live for!

I've also married LGBTQ2+ couples who have come to Canada from countries where their relationship isn't recognized. And, couple's who did not practice the religion of their parents and grandparents. A micro-wedding or elopement allows for flexibility to find the type of wedding rituals that are authentic to you as a couple without conforming to traditional or family expectations.

8. And Finally, You Can Include Your Fur Babies!

Ellie's parents, Gwun and Maggie, got married at Jump Restaurant on the outdoor patio, however many venues that serve food or have carpeting will restrict the inclusion of animals joining the wedding festivities. Also pet-parents may not want to expose their timid animals to loud noises, large crowds, and unfamiliar guests.

However, when guest sizes are smaller, or micro-weddings are held in parks, condo rooms, backyards, or patios, ceremonies can be 100% pet friendly.

Photo by Avangard Photography

With all the benefits of having a small wedding, it’s no wonder that this wedding trend is on the rise!

Remember: when it comes to wedding planning, it’s all about what works best for the two of you! So if a micro-wedding sounds like the perfect wedding option for you, your guests, or your fur-babies then go for it!