How to Make the Summer Microwedding of Your Dreams Come True

By definition, a micro-wedding is an in-person ceremony with no more than 50 guests. That being said, you probably won’t be able to invite your second aunt once removed, every member of your college friend group, or their plus-ones. However, a small guest list means a more intimate ceremony and reception.

Sit down your significant other and brainstorm a list of 50 family members and friends (or less) who you just to have by your side while you say “I do.” Once you have a finalized guest list, the fun wedding planning begins!

Ellen Paul, a Boston-based wedding calligrapher and owner of Ellen Paul Art, believes using a mood board “helps your stationer understand your wedding style at a glance and [it] is a great way to kick start design inspiration.” That being said, hit the wedding magazines with your partner and throw together a mood board that encapsulates all of your hopes and dreams about your big day. And don’t be afraid to be big and bold, a smaller wedding only means you will have more money available to perfect your ceremony and reception.

The Planning & Design company Cape Cod Celebrations recommends envisioning your intimate wedding as an elevated dinner party. After all, a smaller guest count may allow for splurges in customized decor for unique place settings and summer-themed centerpieces. Think shells, starfish, and sea life!

“Focus on the size of the tables, the details at each place setting, and special touches to really honor the day and the guests you chose to celebrate with,” explains Cape Cod Celebrations. They went on to urge couples to “think outside the box or reimagine. The sky’s the limit and things you may not have been able to do for you larger celebration may be possible for your intimate wedding.”

A micro-wedding will save on costs, so you can opt to use some of those savings to purchase decor, coordinate live entertainment, or hire your dream catering company for a meal to remember.

Speaking of smaller details, giving just as much attention to your floral arrangements as your decor will make your big (*small*) day that much more special. Leslie, the owner of Leslie Lee Floral, tells Loverly that a more intimate affair may result in guests spending more time at their perspective table. She advises couples or their wedding planners to make the atmosphere feel welcoming, and not shy away from making an impact with floral arrangements. 

“Work with your florist on unique ways to repurpose your ceremony flowers in your [dining] space and think about the possibility of a floral installation for a major wow factor,” explains Leslie. A smaller wedding does not mean the details are any less important!

Alex Paul of Alex Paul Photography tells Loverly that the main reason he loves to photograph micro-weddings is that “I have the opportunity to do something new and have more freedom in creativity.” Photography isn’t the only part of your micro-wedding which can be uber creative. As we mentioned, details are key to planning a remarkable micro wedding. Think about the little ways to tie together your color and floral palette, setting up photographs that explain the history of your relationship, or organizing some activities for your guests to participate in like a game of cornhole or signing a slab of stone or wood.

Don’t be fooled by the name, micro weddings are far from small in their impact. They may just be the next big thing...

Shout out to Cape Cod Celebrations, Alex Paul Photography, Leslie Lee Floral, True North Event Rentals & Ellen Paul Art whose work is showcased in all of the images featured throughout this post!