5 Reasons for a Micro Wedding
With guest size limitations and many events having to be postponed, 2020 has been a whirlwind year for weddings. Vendors within the industry are adjusting to a new normal, helping ensure the health and safety of everyone involved.
As weddings change, so does the vocabulary surrounding them: Corona-Bride, Latermoon, and Minimony to name a few, but the term gaining the most popularity among engaged couples and wedding vendors? Micro-wedding!
A micro wedding is exactly what the name implies: A small wedding, larger than an elopement, but a significantly smaller guest count than average (which was 131 guests per wedding in 2019 according to The Knot). Couples have been embracing the idea of micro weddings due to the global pandemic, and honestly, what’s not to love about them? Enjoy your wedding day surrounded by those closest to you instead of a 3rd cousin once removed or your mom’s coworker whose name you can’t remember!
There are TONS of benefits to a more intimate affair and there’s no place better to celebrate than on the Outer Banks. On the fence about a micro wedding being the right fit? Read below for some compelling reasons a smaller event may be your best bet.
Save that Money, Honey!
For most of us, money is a huge consideration when it comes to planning a wedding.
According to a survey by The Knot of more than 25,000 couples married in 2019, the average wedding cost is $33,900. That doesn’t even include the honeymoon! This is a large chunk of change, especially for younger couples just starting off in their careers, and others who are burdened with financial responsibilities which leave them unable to allocate substantial funds to a wedding.
By paring down guest counts, couples free up space to focus on other aspects of their wedding. Perhaps you didn’t buy your dream dress because it was too expensive, or you skipped over booking a few vendors because there wasn’t enough room in the budget. With the extra money afforded by a micro wedding, you’re able to splurge on extra flowers and decor or add on an hour or two to photographer/videographer packages. Remove the stress of having to coordinate and arrange with vendors by hiring a planner. Book that honeymoon to a destination you and fiancé have always dreamt of visiting. Or, do none of these and save it all. At the end of the day, it is all about what makes sense for the two of you.
Have an Effortless Engagement
The average couple is engaged for around 15 months and a lot of that time is spent planning: Making a guest list, sending out save the dates and invitations, creating a registry, planning bachelor/bachelorette parties and rehearsal dinners, choosing your vendors, etc., IS stressful, especially during a global pandemic!
A huge perk of a smaller wedding is having less to plan in general. You’re not waiting for over 100 responses to see if guests want prime rib or grilled chicken, and you leave behind the burden of endless phone calls from guests requesting a plus one. Embrace time to relax and truly enjoy being engaged and living in that moment!
Go with the Flow Guests
Due to the circumstances currently facing engaged couples, changing dates, switching venues and coordinating with vendors has become the norm, but there is a silver lining--guests will understand last minute alterations because this is a new experience for everyone! Lower guest counts can help reduce some of the load when impromptu changes are necessary. Instead of sending out a mass email to all of your guests and anxiously awaiting their responses, take an hour out of the day to call or text with the changes. This means less people having to rearrange their schedules for your wedding and more time to focus on that Pinterest dream wedding board you’ve had since before you met fiancé!
Decide Who Matters Most
Large weddings aren’t for everyone. Not all of us are social butterflies, and the idea of being the center of attention may seem exhausting. Days of pre-planned events and tight schedules can color something that was supposed to be one of the best days of your life. Perhaps you’re dreaming of eloping - just you and your significant other - but both families are expecting you to go the more traditional route. A micro wedding will make them feel included, while keeping the eyes on you to a bare minimum. If you’re looking for a laid-back vibe and relaxed atmosphere, keeping the number of people attending low will certainly help, not to mention the extra time you’ll get to spend with your guests, as opposed to making the rounds during dinner service and only seeing them for a few seconds. It’s simple quality over quantity.
The Getaway Bride
With a smaller group size and more freedom to explore different ideas of what you want your wedding to look like, why not have a destination wedding and honeymoon all in one? Round up those closest to you and get married right here on the Outer Banks! There are tons of accommodations to choose from: rental homes that can fit your entire guest list to full-service resorts that can double as the venue. Our vendors are eager to work with their clients, no matter the size of the event. Some even offer special packages just for smaller weddings. Browse our full list of vendors to find ones your match or submit an information request so that vendors can reach out to you!
Images: Mary Basnight Photography
