Micro weddings vs elopements – how are they different and how do you know which one aligns with your wedding vision? There are so many different ways you and your partner can get married these days – especially if you’re looking for something that doesn’t fit within the category of a large traditional wedding.
From micro weddings to elopements, the way to say “I do” is always evolving. The good news is that it means there is an option that is perfect for you and your partner! That said, I know it can be overwhelming when you’re presented with all the options, which is why I wanted to create this guide for you.
Keep reading to learn more about the difference between micro weddings vs elopements and how you can decide which one is perfect for you and your partner.
What Is a Micro Wedding?
Micro weddings and elopements share many similarities, with the most notable difference being the guest count. Micro weddings typically have 25-50 guests, whereas guest counts at elopements are much smaller. An elopement could even just be you, your partner, and your wedding photographer!
I myself had a micro-wedding where we only had 45 people present, hired a photographer for 4 hours, and then had dinner with all of our favorite people afterwards. I truly loved every moment of it! Many micro weddings I’ve photographed have been right around 4 hours. This has given all the couples I’ve photographed plenty of time to fit everything that they wanted into their day.
I am all for large, traditional weddings, but one thing that I love about micro weddings and elopements is that you can make everything about your day align with your vision of love and acceptance while still sharing this special moment in your life with your closest friends and loved ones. Also, since your guest count will be smaller, this gives you more flexibility to be able to spend meaningful, quality time with all of your guests.
The growing popularity of micro weddings
Another reason I think micro weddings are a great option that more and more couples are drawn towards is that they come with so much less pressure and expectations around how your day is supposed to look. You won’t have to figure out how you’re going to move 200 guests from your ceremony to your reception spot, how you should decorate the 3 dozen tables, or do something just because it’s traditional.
Also, even with a micro wedding, you’ll still be able to have a lot of the process/ your day documented that a larger wedding would have, including photographing the time you spend getting ready, couple portraits, your ceremony, family portraits, and a little bit of your reception as well. Furthermore, since you’ll be inviting fewer guests, you’ll be able to spend more of your wedding budget on other things, such as florals, lodging, creative wedding vendors, food, etc.
What Is an Elopement?
Elopements are the weddings that focus more on the “legal binding” of your marriage, so to speak. Most elopements only have anywhere from 0-15 guests, and one of the best things about elopements is the flexibility to have your elopement anywhere you want.
With an elopement, you’ll be able to create a day that is truly unique to you and your partner, and you’ll have the time and flexibility to add in opportunities and experiences that would traditionally not be possible with a wedding! Elopements are all about focusing on the quality of the experience over the quantity of guests.
Here are some glimpses into elopements that I’ve photographed before to give you some ideas on what your own day could be like:
- A+A chose to have a charming courthouse wedding with their immediate families. After their ceremony, the main focus of their day was to just photograph the two of them around their hometown.
- M+D had a bigger guest count at their elopement, but in spite of this, they were able to get so much accomplished in such a short time frame. Their elopement was only 90 minutes long!
- B+V had their small, intimate elopement ceremony at their church, and then they followed it up with couple portraits and a dinner with their family afterwards.
Micro Wedding vs Elopement: Which Is Right for You?
The answer? It all depends on what you and your partner both want, the number of guests you would like to have, and your ceremony location. If you and your partner know that you want to have your ceremony in a different state, country, etc, and that you don’t want too many guests, it sounds like an elopement could be everything you’re looking for. Also, an elopement could be the perfect fit for you if you want to strip your celebration down to the bells and whistles and focus just on getting married. Elopements are all about privacy and a day centered entirely around your relationship.
On the other hand, micro weddings are for the couple who want to touch on the traditional aspects of a wedding but on a much smaller scale. This also allows for some traditions to be broken and for your celebration to be more personalized to you and your partner without the added pressures or costs of a large, traditional wedding.
Ready to Book Your Wedding Photographer?
I hope you found this info on the difference between a micro wedding vs elopement helpful as you start to finalize the details for your upcoming celebration. Remember, there is no “right” or “wrong” choice. Your decision on how your wedding day looks should depend on what you and your partner both want and reflect you.
Whether you choose to have an elopement or micro wedding, you’re going to want your day documented so you have something to look back at and to be able to remember everything about your day – from the smallest details to the big, emotional moments.
If you are still looking for your dream Kansas City wedding photographer for your microwedding or elopement, I’d love to connect! I specialize in wedding photography that celebrates love in all its forms. Every relationship is different and deserves to be captured uniquely, which is exactly what I do!
You can click here to learn more about my wedding photography or head over here to get in touch with me.
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