It's Little Wonder // Small & Micro Weddings

Small weddings and micro weddings are hugely popular with couples holding weddings this year and with those planning them for 2026. It's probably the most common wedding theme we've found on all the planning sites lately. The micro wedding was even recently featured on the TODAY show! And experts say small and micro weddings are expected to continue to reign as a top wedding trend at least through the very end of next year.

Studies actually show that overall, the size of weddings in the US has generally continued to shrink over the past decade and a half.  The most recent Real Weddings Survey from The Knot indicated a drop in the average wedding guest count to 116 in 2024. Previous surveys reported average guests counts at 149 in 2009 and 139 in 2015, with their recorded peak occurring back in 2007 at 153. 

Most wedding experts in the US categorize small weddings as those with 50-100 guests, and micro weddings as events with fewer than 50 guests in attendance. Of course, these weddings all have a highly curtailed guest list consisting mainly of close family and intimate friends.

Both small and micro weddings have a lot of common advantages over large wedding events. Let's take a look at some of the perks!

At the very beginning of your wedding planning, having a small wedding allows you the luxury of considering a larger variety of locations and venues.  You’ll also have a lot more unique and non-traditional settings from which to choose, such as restaurants, clubs, cafés, museums and other more intimate venues.  If you’ve always had your heart set on a vintage or rustic wedding, you won’t need to worry that your wedding is too big to hold in that perfect little historic farmhouse you found. And with a smaller wedding, you may even be able to consider an at-home wedding event.

Another advantage of having a smaller guest list is that it allows you to afford to spend more in other areas of your wedding, such as in photography, videography, décor, menu or flower options.  Higher-end choices made in these individual areas can provide a more luxury experience, just on a smaller scale.

It also gives you the option to customize your wedding more and provide a unique, personal experience for your guests, beyond just the traditional dinner and dancing.  If space allows, additional entertainment options, such as interactive food stations or other non-traditional music, art or dance performances help to make your wedding even more exciting and memorable, not just for you, but also for your family and friends!

And an intimate setting will also mean you’ll have more quality time with each guest, fostering fond memories of the extended time you were able to spend with them individually at your wedding.  And less time spent formally visiting guests at their tables at the reception means more time for you to relax, dance and casually mingle with your loved ones during the celebration.

We can’t overlook the fact that small weddings are much easier to manage if any problems arise during your wedding planning or if last minute surprises pop up on the wedding day.  We’re talking about everything from minor day-of logistical issues due to inclement weather or heavy traffic to larger complications such as the need for a venue or date change.

Weddings with smaller guest lists do tend to be less costly overall and often less stressful and less time-consuming to plan.  There are less invitations to order, fewer envelopes to address, less time spent organizing the seating chart, etc.  It’s just often simpler and easier to plan and execute a wedding with fewer guests in attendance.  And any way to reduce stress when planning a wedding will certainly be welcomed!  Note: if you have a very short time frame between your engagement and your wedding day, a small wedding is practically a must.

Small, and even smaller micro weddings can be right for anyone, and they’re practically tailor-made for more laid-back, casual couples. Perfect for couples who seriously weighed an elopement, but really want their closest friends and family to join in on their celebration.

They're also ideal for couples who still want to include several wedding traditions but don’t want the big, conventional wedding event and all the expectations that come with it.  They're one of the best ways to ensure a made-to-order, fun, no-pressure wedding day!

www.cord3films.com