What You Need to Know About Micro-Wedding Venues
Micro-weddings are an increasingly popular option for couples hoping to avoid the costs and planning headaches that come with larger weddings, as well as those who just generally prefer a more intimate wedding. Are you among them?
The wedding planning process typically starts with researching wedding venues. If you’re planning a micro-wedding experience, you’ll likely have noticed something quickly: a traditional venue probably will not work for your micro-wedding. Big ballrooms and similar spaces can make your micro-wedding party appear awkward and too small.
As such, when planning a micro-wedding, it’s vital that you specifically look for a micro-wedding venue — a smaller space that’s suited to a small wedding. Not sure how to get started?
What You Will Learn
Small Weddings with Big Impact: What are Micro-Weddings?
First, it’s essential to determine if you genuinely want a micro-wedding or if you just think your wedding is a little on the small side compared to a large wedding. Likewise, you may be overestimating the size of your wedding and thinking it’s not a micro-wedding when it really is!
Micro-weddings generally keep the guest list under 50 people. Your micro-wedding might cap out right exactly at 50 guests, or you might go even smaller. Some intimate weddings only include a handful of people, such as your closest family members and friends.
There are many reasons why you might choose to hold a micro-wedding versus a more traditional, larger wedding, such as:
- The cost is lower,
- With fewer guests, the planning is more manageable,
- Some unique micro-wedding venues come with overnight accommodations, lowering your costs further and
- The smaller guest list allows for a more intimate, meaningful experience with your guests
And, if you’re intrigued by all the benefits of micro-wedding but still want that big party atmosphere, you’ll be glad to know that some couples will host a micro-wedding ceremony to host a larger reception with more people afterward. You can apply the micro-wedding concept to either your ceremony, reception, or both. Like every aspect of your wedding, it’s entirely up to you!
What is a Micro-Wedding Venue?
Micro-wedding venues are spaces meant to accommodate no more than 50 people. The best micro-wedding venues run the gamut, just like wedding venues for a big wedding.
Favorite Micro-Wedding Venues
Just about any rentable or private space can serve as a micro-wedding venue. Your options include:
- A private room at a favorite restaurant
- An entire restaurant, bar, or café
- Art galleries
- A small religious space
- A winery, brewery, or distillery
- A farm or orchard
- A historic home
If you want an outdoor ceremony, consider:
- A national park(just be sure to follow national parks’ event-hosting guidelines)
- Any park, for that matter!
- The beautiful gardensat your local arboretum
- A zoo
- A family member or friend’s backyard
- A beach
- A ski resort (like Stevens Passin Washington)
- A tree house (like the Emerald Foresttreehouse, also in Washington)
What to Think About When Choosing a Venue for Micro-Wedding
No matter what kind of wedding day you envision, make sure it all goes off without a hitch by taking special care when touring and choosing between venues for micro-weddings. While an event space may feature a stunning backdrop for your special day, you may discover other event spaces that can offer you a more beautiful wedding.
Here are a few things to consider (and ask about!) when choosing between micro-wedding locations.
Does the Venue Have Experience Hosting Weddings?
Hotels and similar venues have loads of experience hosting weddings. However, when looking at venues for micro-wedding parties, such as small private businesses like a local restaurant or bar, you may find that they’ve either never hosted a wedding before or hosted very few weddings. Consider whether or not this wedding venue will honestly be able to host a beautiful wedding before moving forward.
Can You Talk to a Past Couple Who Hosted Their Wedding There?
Suppose your chosen venue has hosted weddings in the past. That’s great! Now, ask to speak to some past couples to learn more about their experiences. It’s best if that couple also hosted an intimate celebration so you can see how well the venue works with micro-weddings.
Will You Need to Use Certain Wedding Vendors?
Many venues require you to use certain wedding vendors as part of your contract. Will you need to use specific caterers, a particular photography vendor, or anyone else?
For example, if you’re hosting your wedding at a bar, they may ask you to use their bar services; if you’re hosting your wedding at a restaurant, they may require you to use their catering or get your table or chair rentals from them.
Are There Décor Limitations?
Some small venues, mainly outdoor venues, may have limitations around the décor you can use. For example, in a state or national park, they may not look too kindly on your hanging things in the trees or smushing the delicate plant life. (Though, don’t worry — in these cases, often the natural light, alpine lakes, and lush vegetation are décor enough!)
Will You Have Private Access to the Space?
Some venues may be open to the public, and you might not have exclusive, private access to the space. The lack of exclusivity could be the case in parks or beaches. Suppose you worry about random onlookers interrupting your vows or appearing in the backgrounds of your photos. In that case, this is something to ask about.
Wedding Venues Micro-Wedding FAQs
What are the best micro-wedding venues?
It will all depend on your personal preferences and vision for your wedding! The perfect spot will easily hold your entire guest list, in any case.
What do you need for a micro-wedding?
Just an excellent venue to host your micro-wedding—otherwise, the requirements (marriage licenses, etc.) are the same as for any other wedding.
How many people come to a micro-wedding?
A micro-wedding generally only includes 50 people or fewer.
Can you have a micro-wedding and a big reception?
Yes! If you prefer a more intimate ceremony, a micro-wedding is a solid choice. Then, if you want a large celebration afterward, hold a large reception.
What are some possible micro-wedding venues?
The perfect place for your micro-wedding is entirely up to you, but popular options include restaurants, bars, small religious spaces, parks, beaches, and backyards.
Between the Venue, Marriage License, and Vendor Contracts, are You Overlooking This One Key Detail?
Whatever wedding venue ends up being the perfect space for the big day that you’ll remember forever, long after you’re married, make sure the cost of your big day is protected by wedding cancellation insurance. You really do need it—it’s likely more affordable than you think.
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What to Know About Wedding Event Insurance
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Average Cost of Wedding Planner
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