Micro Wedding Vs. Elopement | Which One Is Right For You?

The fairytale wedding has become a staple in our culture. Movies, TV shows, and even some family members have led us to believe that the only way to get married is with a big white dress, hundreds of guests, and a lavish reception held at a spectacular wedding venue.

But what if that's not the wedding experience that you and your partner are looking for? What if you would prefer a more intimate affair? If the thought of planning, paying for, or having a big traditional wedding makes you break out into a cold sweat, don't worry, you've got options!

So what are the alternatives to a big wedding? The two most popular choices among couples today are elopements and micro weddings. If you're not familiar with either of these types of weddings, read on. We're going to look at the main differences between these two types of weddings and help you decide which one is right for you.

What is a Micro Wedding?

Micro weddings, to put it simply, are the smaller version of big weddings. They can range in size, from as few as 25 guests to as many as 50 but around 30 is generally the norm. Micro weddings are usually held in a single location, like a backyard, park, or small wedding venue or event space. They allow you to incorporate many of the traditional aspects of a larger wedding but at a much smaller, more affordable, and more manageable scale.

What is an Elopement?

An elopement is a small, intimate wedding with very few guests. Generally, the only people present will be the couple and maybe 2 witnesses; however, it's not unheard of to have a very small number of guests (usually close friends and family, think 20 people of less) in attendance. There are no traditions to uphold, and the couple is free to make the day entirely their own. Eloping can be as simple as signing a document at a local park or as elaborate as traveling to a remote location.

Three Differences Between Elopements and Micro Weddings

Guest Count

One of the most significant distinctions between elopements and micro weddings is guest count. Elopements are typically much smaller affairs than micro weddings, with as little as 4 people in attendance, the couple and their 2 witnesses (which for our couples is often me and my husband). On the other hand, micro weddings can have up to 50 guests, making them a happy medium between elopements and full-scale weddings.

Your guest count is the determining factor for much of your wedding day planning. Whether it's 20, 50, or 250 guests, you'll need to consider your guest count every time you make a decision regarding your venue, catering, alcohol order, rentals, and more. At the end of the day, your guest count will ultimately determine the cost of your wedding.

Planning Time and Cost

Another difference is the amount of time and money required to plan each type of wedding.

Your elopement can be planned in as little as a month and on a smaller budget since there are very few moving parts. Any planning and major expenses for your elopement will likely be your flights and travel accommodations if you are traveling, key vendors such as hair and makeup, photographer and florist. If you plan to elope locally, you can get married anywhere, and at any time, as long as your witnesses are present and you have your marriage license.

When eloping, you can also set the price for your wedding. You can choose to splurge on photography, a dress and a nice bouquet, or you can DIY the entire thing with fresh wildflowers and a dress from the thrift store. There's no wrong way to elope since there are no traditions or expectations to uphold.

Micro weddings are a bit more involved than elopements, but they're still less complicated than full-scale weddings. With a guest count of about 50 people, you'll still need to start planning early, generally 6 months in advance at the very least. This helps to ensure that you can secure a venue and all the vendors required to execute your vision. With a lower guest count, you might even be able to get away with hosting a DIY-style wedding at a family member's home.

The cost of a micro wedding can still be relatively high, depending on how you choose to execute your vision. If you're hoping for a lavish wedding on a smaller scale, you can still expect to pay around $150 to $200 per person for the venue, food and drink, décor, and entertainment. However, if you plan a more relaxed affair with simple décor and a focus on family-style dining, you can expect to pay closer to $100 per person.

Personalization

The final way that elopements and micro weddings differ is personalization. Elopements give couples the freedom to make their day entirely their own without a schedule to follow or the pressure to include any traditional elements.

Micro weddings, however, will still require you to abide by the rules and schedule of your venue and vendors. You'll need to consider the logistics of your day and how everything will come together, regardless of whether it's at a venue or your parent's backyard.

The Focus of a Wedding Vs. The Focus of an Elopement

When it comes to the focus of your celebration, elopements and micro weddings couldn't be more different.

Elopements are all about the marriage, specifically the couple. This is your day to celebrate your love and commitment to each other with just a few close friends and family members (if you choose to invite anyone at all). Every moment of your day should be a reflection of your relationship and what's important to you.

Micro weddings, on the other hand, will naturally still focus more on the guests and the wedding day itself. The couple is still important, but there's a greater emphasis on "pulling off" the wedding day and ensuring that the guests have a fantastic time.

There's no right or wrong answer when choosing between a micro wedding and an elopement. However you choose to get married, be sure it’s what the two of you truly want. Take time to really sit and think about how you want your day to feel, who you want to include and what matters to you as a couple.

Need a little more guidance? Hi, I’m Liz, I specialize in Pennsylvania elopement + micro wedding photography and planning. I help couples create a day that’s intentional and stress-free by offering a supportive, knowledgeable and kind experience that includes vendor and location research, planning resources and custom timeline curation, ensuring couples get beautiful photos while having an incredible time!