Micro Weddings, Elopements and Minimonies are the new trend for 2021. Since the Pandemic has changed the scope of events for the unforseeable future, it is important to change our approach. Enough waiting. Let's move forward with attainable goals and a positive mindset!
So what is the difference between #microweddings, #elopements and #minimonies, you ask? We will break them down for you here.
WHAT IS A MICRO WEDDING?
A micro wedding is a small version of a traditional wedding with no more than 20 guests. They follow the same structure as a traditional wedding with the option to spend a fraction of the cost. Of course, you can also opt to go over the top for each individual guest when it comes to food quality, drink options and of course gifting and decor. Whichever way you choose to spend your money, a micro wedding can be as simple or over the top as you want it to be! At the end of the day, this is about celebrating you and your partner's love and union.
Micro weddings generally compress all parts of the wedding day into one location. Some couple's choose to have a ceremony and dinner with these hand picked "must have" guests with the intention of hosting a party with all extended friends and family in the future.
WHAT IS AN ELOPEMENT?
An elopement is much like a micro wedding, however they tend to be the "wild west" of small weddings. These celebrations can vary in size, often having a structure of their own in terms of timing, location and guest list. Some couple's choose to elope completely solo or in company with an officiant and photographer only. Some hike to the highest peak, or say their vows next to a waterfall. Others, select a handful of people to witness the union in a field, a backyard or a forest. Here, the choice is individual and as off-the-cuff as you want it to be.
WHAT IS A MINIMONY?
This term surfaced due to so many couples changing their original wedding plans due to COVID19 restrictions. The pandemic opened the world of elopements and micro weddings to the public and so the term for a small wedding ceremony with plans of a party to follow in the future was coined. This is essentially a commitment ceremony of their marriage union prior to their actual wedding day. For many, a larger ceremony will likely follow on the wedding day.
PLANNING TIPS
1. DETERMINE A BUDGET
Like any celebration, there is always planning involved. Small or large, the same rules apply. On average a micro wedding or elopement can cost on average from $2000 - $15,000 depending on what bells and whistles you add. Below, we have added some budget details to consider.
Our budget checklist:
venue permits/photo permits
attire
hair + makeup
rings
marriage license
officiant
planner/stylist
photography/videography
decor/florals
food/drink
travel/accommodations
guest list
2. LOCATION
After allocating a budget that you would like to adhere to, you can now determine if your location is close to home or a dream destination.
Many couples opt to elope at their honeymoon destination and make a vacation out of it. This can be an especially sacred opportunity to do something completely couple focused. Book an officiant and a photographer and make memories!
Alternatively, many couples stick close to home and have their micro wedding in their backyard, at an airbnb, kids camp or restaurant.
3. GUEST LIST
Determining your guest list for your micro wedding is likely the hardest and most grueling part. This can certainly be a challenge, so it is important for you to create hard rules about who is in or out. Keeping your location in mind about who can access it easily is helpful in determining who may find it a challenge to join.
Stick to the key people who you see the most often like immediate family and best friends. Whatever rules you create, remember that the point of a micro wedding is to keep it small. You can always send out minimony invites to extended guests to join your ceremony on zoom with the promise of an in person party to follow in the future!
PRO TIPS FOR DESIGNING A MICRO WEDDING OR MINIMONY
PANDEMIC FRIENDLY
Every attending guest to your wedding has a different comfort level of safety and health concerns during this Pandemic. You must be sensitive to this and offer options for guests to choose for themselves. Simple notions like offering beautifully designed sanitization stations with masks, socially distanced seating and individually plated meals as opposed to buffets are ways to make these efforts. Space seating at tables further apart than normal, or rent more tables than usual so people can sit spaced out. If you want to offer lounge seating, perhaps offer two smaller vignettes so less people can sit at each one.
TABLE SETTINGS
Micro weddings often offer a capability of spreading more budget to each guest. This means that table settings can often be indulgent, lush and over the top if you so choose them to be. Since seating is likely to be more spread out than normal too, you have more table room to fill with decor like flowers, candles, glasswares etc.
Go the extra distance by upgrading table linens, layering plates, and upgrading to your favourite cutlery or glasswares. Consider splurging on guest favours, flowers or seating. The options to wow your guests of honour are truly endless when you are working with such a small guest-list!
FOOD
If decor is not your thing, food likely is. Another great way to make your guests feel spoiled is by going all out on the food! Upgrade your meals to steak or lobster, or add more courses. Consider hiring a local food truck to come by for late night snacks, dessert or apps! This is your chance to be flexible and demanding with your menu!
VENDORS
We know you might be thinking that if your guest list only has 20 people, you should be the one planning and styling it all, right? WRONG. This is the perfect scenario where you can afford to leave the details in the hands of the professionals. Enjoy your day. Treat it just like a big traditional wedding, and just show up! Trust us. It's worth it! Select your vendors carefully or get help from a planner to find them. Getting married should mean you are truly the guest of honour! That certainly means, your only focus should be on yourself!
Still have questions on other areas of the wedding planning, styling or photo process during a pandemic? Feel free to send us an email with any of your inquiries.
xx- april
Micro Weddings, Elopements and Minimonies are the new trend for 2021. Since the Pandemic has changed the scope of events for the unforseeable future, it is important to change our approach. Enough waiting. Let’s move forward with attainable goals and a positive mindset!
So what is the difference between #microweddings, #elopements and #minimonies, you ask? We will break them down for you here.
WHAT IS A MICRO WEDDING?
A micro wedding is a small version of a traditional wedding with no more than 20 guests. They follow the same structure as a traditional wedding with the option to spend a fraction of the cost. Of course, you can also opt to go over the top for each individual guest when it comes to food quality, drink options and of course gifting and decor. Whichever way you choose to spend your money, a micro wedding can be as simple or over the top as you want it to be! At the end of the day, this is about celebrating you and your partner’s love and union.
Micro weddings generally compress all parts of the wedding day into one location, but fall under a traditional wedding schedule with a ceremony, reception and party in some format. The planning process is virtually the same as a normal wedding, like choosing vendors, scheduling etc. The main difference is just the amount of attending guests.
WHAT IS AN ELOPEMENT?
An elopement is the “wild west” of small weddings. These celebrations can vary in size, often having a structure of their own in terms of timing, location and guest list. Some couple’s choose to elope completely solo or in company with an officiant and photographer only. Some hike to the highest mountain peak, or say their vows next to a waterfall. Others, select a handful of people to witness the union in a field, a backyard or a forest. Here, the choice is individual and as off-the-cuff as you want it to be. Some couple’s end the celebration with a reception and some opt to just host the ceremony. This option is the most flexible for couple’s wanting to truly run off course with the traditional flow and expectations of what is considered to be “normal”.
WHAT IS A MINIMONY?
This term surfaced due to so many couples changing their original wedding plans due to COVID19 restrictions. The pandemic opened the world of elopements and micro weddings to the public and so the term for a small wedding ceremony with plans of a party to follow in the future was coined; “minimony.” This is essentially a commitment ceremony of a marriage union prior to an eventual sequel wedding. Couple’s usually announce this to all intended guests.
PLANNING TIPS
1. DETERMINE A BUDGET
Like any celebration, there is always planning involved. Small or large, the same rules apply. On average a micro wedding or elopement can cost on average from $2000 – $15,000 depending on what bells and whistles you add. Below, we have added some budget details to consider.
Our budget checklist:
venue permits/photo permits
attire
hair + makeup
rings
marriage license
officiant
planner/stylist
photography/videography
decor/florals
food/drink
travel/accommodations
guest list
2. LOCATION
After allocating a budget that you would like to adhere to, you can now determine if your location is close to home or a dream destination.
Many couples opt to elope at their honeymoon destination and make a vacation out of it. This can be an especially sacred opportunity to do something completely couple focused. Book an officiant and a photographer and make memories!
Alternatively, many couples stick close to home and have their micro wedding in their backyard, at an airbnb, kids camp or restaurant.
3. GUEST LIST
Determining your guest list for your micro wedding is likely the hardest and most gruelling part. This can certainly be a challenge, so it is important for you to create hard rules about who is in or out. Keeping your location in mind about who can access it easily is helpful in determining who may find it a challenge to join.
Stick to the key people who you see the most often like immediate family and best friends. Whatever rules you create, remember that the point of a micro wedding is to keep it small. You can always send out minimony invites to extended guests to join your ceremony on zoom with the promise of an in person party to follow in the future!
PRO TIPS FOR DESIGNING A MICRO WEDDING OR MINIMONY
PANDEMIC FRIENDLY
Every attending guest to your wedding has a different comfort level of safety and health concerns during this Pandemic. You must be sensitive to this and offer options for guests to choose for themselves. Simple notions like offering beautifully designed sanitization stations with masks, socially distanced seating and individually plated meals as opposed to buffets are ways to make these efforts known to guests. Space seating at tables further apart than normal, or rent more tables than usual so people can sit spaced out. If you want to offer lounge seating, perhaps offer two smaller vignettes so less people can sit at each one.
TABLE SETTINGS
Micro weddings often offer a capability of spreading more budget to each guest. This means that table settings can often be indulgent, lush and over the top if you so choose them to be. Since seating is likely to be more spread out than normal too, you have more table room to fill with decor like flowers, candles, glasswares etc.
Go the extra distance by upgrading table linens, layering plates, and upgrading to your favourite cutlery or glasswares. Consider splurging on guest favours, flowers or seating. The options to wow your guests of honour are truly endless when you are working with such a small guest-list!
FOOD
If decor is not your thing, food likely is. Another great way to make your guests feel spoiled is by going all out on the food! Upgrade your meals to steak or lobster, or add more courses. Consider hiring a local food truck to come by for late night snacks, dessert or apps! This is your chance to be flexible and demanding with your menu!
VENDORS
We know you might be thinking that if your guest list only has 20 people, you should be the one planning and styling it all, right? WRONG. This is the perfect scenario where you can afford to leave the details in the hands of the professionals. Enjoy your day. Treat it just like a big traditional wedding, and just show up! Trust us. It’s worth it! Select your vendors carefully or get help from a planner to find them. Getting married should mean you are truly the guest of honour! That certainly means, your only focus should be on yourself!
Still have questions on other areas of the wedding planning, styling or photo process during a pandemic? Feel free to send us an email with any of your inquiries.
Olive Studio is a documentary based photography studio, specializing in unique, intimate and off-the-beaten track weddings. Our candid shooting style allows for couples to...
Micro Weddings, Elopements and Minimonies are the new trend for 2021. Since the Pandemic has changed the scope of events for the unforseeable future, it is important to change our approach. Enough waiting. Let’s move forward with attainable goals and a positive mindset!
So what is the difference between #microweddings, #elopements and #minimonies, you ask? We will break them down for you here.
WHAT IS A MICRO WEDDING?
A micro wedding is a small version of a traditional wedding with no more than 20 guests. They follow the same structure as a traditional wedding with the option to spend a fraction of the cost. Of course, you can also opt to go over the top for each individual guest when it comes to food quality, drink options and of course gifting and decor. Whichever way you choose to spend your money, a micro wedding can be as simple or over the top as you want it to be! At the end of the day, this is about celebrating you and your partner’s love and union.
Micro weddings generally compress all parts of the wedding day into one location. Some couple’s choose to have a ceremony and dinner with these hand picked “must have” guests with the intention of hosting a party with all extended friends and family in the future.
WHAT IS AN ELOPEMENT?
An elopement is much like a micro wedding, however they tend to be the “wild west” of small weddings. These celebrations can vary in size, often having a structure of their own in terms of timing, location and guest list. Some couple’s choose to elope completely solo or in company with an officiant and photographer only. Some hike to the highest peak, or say their vows next to a waterfall. Others, select a handful of people to witness the union in a field, a backyard or a forest. Here, the choice is individual and as off-the-cuff as you want it to be.
WHAT IS A MINIMONY?
This term surfaced due to so many couples changing their original wedding plans due to COVID19 restrictions. The pandemic opened the world of elopements and micro weddings to the public and so the term for a small wedding ceremony with plans of a party to follow in the future was coined. This is essentially a commitment ceremony of their marriage union prior to their actual wedding day. For many, a larger ceremony will likely follow on the wedding day.
PLANNING TIPS
1. DETERMINE A BUDGET
Like any celebration, there is always planning involved. Small or large, the same rules apply. On average a micro wedding or elopement can cost on average from $2000 – $15,000 depending on what bells and whistles you add. Below, we have added some budget details to consider.
Our budget checklist:
venue permits/photo permits
attire
hair + makeup
rings
marriage license
officiant
planner/stylist
photography/videography
decor/florals
food/drink
travel/accommodations
guest list
2. LOCATION
After allocating a budget that you would like to adhere to, you can now determine if your location is close to home or a dream destination.
Many couples opt to elope at their honeymoon destination and make a vacation out of it. This can be an especially sacred opportunity to do something completely couple focused. Book an officiant and a photographer and make memories!
Alternatively, many couples stick close to home and have their micro wedding in their backyard, at an airbnb, kids camp or restaurant.
3. GUEST LIST
Determining your guest list for your micro wedding is likely the hardest and most grueling part. This can certainly be a challenge, so it is important for you to create hard rules about who is in or out. Keeping your location in mind about who can access it easily is helpful in determining who may find it a challenge to join.
Stick to the key people who you see the most often like immediate family and best friends. Whatever rules you create, remember that the point of a micro wedding is to keep it small. You can always send out minimony invites to extended guests to join your ceremony on zoom with the promise of an in person party to follow in the future!
PRO TIPS FOR DESIGNING A MICRO WEDDING OR MINIMONY
PANDEMIC FRIENDLY
Every attending guest to your wedding has a different comfort level of safety and health concerns during this Pandemic. You must be sensitive to this and offer options for guests to choose for themselves. Simple notions like offering beautifully designed sanitization stations with masks, socially distanced seating and individually plated meals as opposed to buffets are ways to make these efforts. Space seating at tables further apart than normal, or rent more tables than usual so people can sit spaced out. If you want to offer lounge seating, perhaps offer two smaller vignettes so less people can sit at each one.
TABLE SETTINGS
Micro weddings often offer a capability of spreading more budget to each guest. This means that table settings can often be indulgent, lush and over the top if you so choose them to be. Since seating is likely to be more spread out than normal too, you have more table room to fill with decor like flowers, candles, glasswares etc.
Go the extra distance by upgrading table linens, layering plates, and upgrading to your favourite cutlery or glasswares. Consider splurging on guest favours, flowers or seating. The options to wow your guests of honour are truly endless when you are working with such a small guest-list!
FOOD
If decor is not your thing, food likely is. Another great way to make your guests feel spoiled is by going all out on the food! Upgrade your meals to steak or lobster, or add more courses. Consider hiring a local food truck to come by for late night snacks, dessert or apps! This is your chance to be flexible and demanding with your menu!
VENDORS
We know you might be thinking that if your guest list only has 20 people, you should be the one planning and styling it all, right? WRONG. This is the perfect scenario where you can afford to leave the details in the hands of the professionals. Enjoy your day. Treat it just like a big traditional wedding, and just show up! Trust us. It’s worth it! Select your vendors carefully or get help from a planner to find them. Getting married should mean you are truly the guest of honour! That certainly means, your only focus should be on yourself!
Still have questions on other areas of the wedding planning, styling or photo process during a pandemic? Feel free to send us an email with any of your inquiries.
