The Magic Of A Micro Wedding And What It Means
There has been a lot of talk about the 'Micro' wedding as of late, and while we're not a huge fan of the term 'Micro' (we'd rather use 'Intimate' or 'Private') it is undoubtedly a wonderful way to say 'I Do'.
Words Alexander Ross
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Since COVID has had an effect on weddings right across the globe, it's now time to reassess the typical format of a wedding and question why weddings have always been a specific way.
With current restrictions placed on gatherings, we don't know when things will return to how they once were, which is why now more so than ever, it's a fun time to explore the concept of this 'Micro' wedding.
Generally speaking, a Micro Wedding (a wedding with fewer guests) means having a wedding with anywhere from 2-20 guests.
With the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2017, LGBTQ+ couples found freedom in being allowed to create their own rules around the format of their wedding day. Similarly so, COVID is now giving all couples that permission to change things up.
When marriage equality first became legal, I had a Micro Wedding. It was a wedding with just four guests, our celebrant and our photographer. By no means did it feel any different, the emotion was still there, and the sheer joy of being 'Married' was still at the forefront of our special day.
A Micro Wedding is magical; it's an intimate experience shared with only a handful of your nearest and dearest, and an emotional celebration just as significant as if you were to have 100+ guests.
There is so much magic in a Micro Wedding. With fewer people, you are able to do so much more. Personally, I've always loved the idea of more intimate weddings. Why? Because what you are doing is so sacred, and so special, that having those that absolutely mean the world to you present makes it all that little bit extra special.
Below you will find Mr Theodore’s idea’s for a Micro Wedding.
Have a 3-day wedding
That's right, with a smaller number of guests, why not make your wedding a three day affair.
Imagine all checking in to the same hotel for two nights. Your celebrations kick off with an intimate dinner for you and your guest and drinks at the hotel bar.
The wedding day itself starts with breakfast altogether, followed by a massage and a leisurely morning for all.
From there, your official 'wedding' starts at the venue of your choice (whether it be the hotel ballroom or an offsite location) with flowing champagne, canapés all set amongst an abundance of blooms, just as you had envisioned. This is where your celebrant meets you and your 'I Do' happens.
You're still able to bring in your favourite florist, stylist and even your favourite caterer to create a setting like no other.
Following on from your celebration, dinner at your favourite restaurant is how you can spend your evening with your nearest and dearest.
The following morning it's recovery time. This calls for brunch with all your guests… a few Bloody Mary's to ease the sore heads, and as your guests depart, the two of you snuggle into your big comfy hotel bed for another night of luxury as a newly married couple to reminisce and reflect.
A simple soirée around the dinner table
A smaller guest list… Well, this opens up a whole new can of worms for venue/location.
10 of your closest people seated around the table in the private dining room of your favourite restaurant. Perhaps the restaurant where you had your first date, sharing a personalised menu and dining into the late hours of the night. This is where you celebrant meets you, joins you for a round of drinks before you and your partner stand to declare your love and make that commitment. Vows are said, certificates are signed, drinks are poured, and with a rapture of applause from your nearest and dearest, you're now legally married and ready to start a new chapter of your life.
Why not stay at home?
There's something just a little extra special about celebrating at home, and an excellent opportunity to bring in all your favourite wedding vendors you ever dreamt of using.
Everything from tableware to furniture hire can be brought in to transform your home and create an unforgettable atmosphere.
Stylists, florists, caterers, they're all brought in to transform and create.
What about a table for 15 in the backyard under the tree? Envision draping linen, cascading flowers, a live band, and as the sun sets, an abundance of twinkling candles setting the scene for an evening under the stars.
Don't have a home suitable? Browse through Airbnb and enquire with a multitude of hosts that allow small gathering in breathtaking homes.
Or, what about an afternoon lunch…
Once again, this is where your favourite restaurant can come into play.
A lunch seated at a beautifully adorned table surrounded by an intimate number of loved ones.
An afternoon walk through the park with your guests is where your ceremony will take place, before you and your spouse leave from your guests for a night at your favourite hotel.
The magic of a Micro Wedding is that your imagination is unlimited. You can take our ideas and customise them to reflect you. A boat cruise perhaps? A weekend in the country? Or even renting a luxurious penthouse apartment with city views for a summer evening soiree. Also, remember to check with all wedding venues. While the preconceived idea is that they only allow large number, many of them offer intimate dining spaces within their venue to accommodate for smaller guest lists.
The opportunities are endless when it comes to an intimate wedding, and more of an emphasis can be placed on finer wines, a delectable menu or an extraordinary number of florals (if that's your thing of course).
Also, remember this, the smaller the guest list, the more money you save ;)
Don't let the idea of a smaller wedding dishearten you, rather, allow it to inspire you, allow it to give you permissions to create a wedding that you never thought possible.
There is no time like now to rewrite the norms.
But also, at the end of the day, whether 4 guests or 100+ guests, you're marrying the love of your life, and your marriage is more than just the one day you spend celebrating. It's a lifetime of celebrating each other.
For wedding suppliers and ideas, be sure to take a look at the Mr Theodore Directory where you will find Australia’s best pro-marriage equality wedding vendors.