The Advantages of Micro Weddings & Elopements
MICRO WEDDINGS & ELOPEMENTS
“A micro wedding is an intimate affair, typically with no more than 50 guests. They still feature time-honored traditions that make a wedding but on a much smaller scale.” - Brides.com
A new trend in the wedding industry is micro weddings. Micro weddings have come about in part because of the recent restrictions placed on wedding receptions. Couples are having to get creative (with the help of wedding professionals) to move forward with the special day they always dreamed of having. In short, micro weddings consist of about 50 people and last a shorter period of time while still incorporating all the traditional wedding events. They are, however, usually faster-paced as many couples choose to get married and celebrate their love in an abbreviated way now and then book a bigger wedding reception down the road when receptions aren’t as restricted.
Kristen and Greg didn’t let the restrictions keep them from saying, “I do”….
“We were an early wedding date in the midst of the pandemic on March 28th. Up until March 13th, we thought the wedding would happen in person. Unfortunately, it didn't. We still wanted the day to be special and still wanted to move forward with getting married on this date — we had the marriage certificate, and we were ready to roll. Many of my close family members are at high risk, so we decided to set up a live stream for everyone to see us get married right in our living room. Our officiant came over with a cake, we donned our Columbus Blue Jacket jerseys, and even had Leo lead us in the National Anthem. It ended up being an extraordinary day for just the two of us. We are looking forward to still celebrating in person with all our family and friends when it is safe to do so.”
Despite the current restrictions, Kristen and Greg got to do two extraordinary things. Not only did they get married with their loved ones looking on, but they also customized it to make it totally THEM. CBJ jerseys and all — I mean, how lucky are they to have LEO sing the National Anthem?? Any CBJ fan would go crazy over that!
Let’s see why a micro wedding could be the perfect option for you!
A smaller guest count means MORE things you can add on! Most weddings are restricted based on a budget because you have a huge list of 200+ people you’re accommodating. From our experience of many years in the industry and hosting countless weddings, typically, when you have a bigger party of 200, the last hour on the dance floor is spent with the closest 50 people anyway. So why not just invite that smaller group and then splurge a little more on the “extras”? When doing a micro wedding, you can really let your imagination run wild and do all the things you originally thought you wouldn’t ever be able to afford. Make the wedding yours by being creative and letting the day represent you as a couple.
Desserts
Think outside the box! You don't need that big wedding cake that feeds 200 people with a micro wedding. You could do your favorite dessert from that ice cream truck or your very own candy bar full of your favorites. Or BOTH! Check out these amazing cupcakes from a local bakery here in Chillicothe, High Five Cakes!
Live Streaming
Worried about some not seeing the ceremony at the actual wedding? Several local companies are helping with that. Thrive Films is one of them and can document your entire day. They are taking the extra step to make sure that your family can be there to exchange vows and then also take part in the first dance from afar. And after the wedding, this video creates a keepsake for you and your spouse’s families for years to come.
DJ
Hire an amazing DJ to make sure your guests have the time of their lives! Dancing the night away is the center of a lot of events. It’s a way of celebrating the commitment you just made to your best friend for a lifetime. Get creative and have multiple dance floors with multiple DJs. Who says you have to have just one? Our venue packages at The Postmark include the DJ, who will make the night one your guest will never forget.
Invitations
Have you seen the customized invitations that let you highlight all your favorite local things? You could pick out your favorite spots that you for sure don’t want your guests to miss in downtown Chillicothe when they visit. Maybe include the restaurant where you said yes! Or put down your favorite place to get a drink so your guests can say cheers after the wedding! Check out these invitations from Lovely Arrow Designs and The Paper Vow.
Photographer
Hire the best photographer so you will have this event perfectly captured for you to remember for years to come. And remember, when you hire a photographer for this shorter amount of time, it won’t eat into your budget as much. They will capture the most important moments of the day so that you can both cherish the little moments you might have missed and then also share them at a bigger reception later on. Both Logan Detty Photography & Alayna Parker Photography are photographers that we work with and bring their own unique style to weddings they shoot.
Timeline
A micro wedding is a smaller guests count (usually less than 50, sometimes less than 100) but it’s also more focused around dinner and less on the party after. It would consist of a timeline like this:
1 pm arrival at the venue
3 pm guest arrival
3:30 ceremony
4pm cocktails/pictures
5 pm dinner
5:45 toast
6 pm cake cutting
6:15 first dances
6:30 open dance floor
8 pm end of the event
9 pm exit as newlyweds
The difference between this and a 12 hour day is you have more time, in the beginning, to come in and get ready, with the hair & makeup team and it’s more of a relaxed setting of getting ready and decorating. It also allows for a 2 1/2 hour dance party at the end instead of just 1-1 1/2. With having a micro wedding, there isn’t a reflection in pricing based on guests count but it’s more of the timing in the space. The venue is still reserving the day for you and your event. If you would like to see what a standard ceremony and reception timeline looks like you can go here.
Venue
Find a special venue that will work to fit your vision. When you host smaller events, the venues that limit you to bigger headcounts and minimum numbers won’t work. Find a flexible venue flexible that has experience with micro weddings.
The Postmark has created that perfect micro wedding package. We have the packages for those who want to celebrate love and do an intimate ceremony now. You save by doing this and booking the full reception a year out. We also have the ability to host full micro wedding receptions that are about a 4-hr. time slot. These packages include the perfect spaces (bridal suite and groomsmen quarters to get ready in), photographer, officiant, small dessert for traditions, and the music for that intimate first dance. Want to have dinner? We can do that too! We work with a few local caterers that can prepare that perfect meal for you and your guests, such as L.A. Catering or The Pour House at Machinery Hall.
We will create THE perfect day for you and your best friend when you say “I do” with a customized micro wedding package! Just shoot us a quick email at hello@thepostmarkoh.com or call/text us at 740-414-4165 and mention that you’re interested in our micro wedding packages.