How to Plan a Micro Wedding: Step by Step
A micro wedding is the perfect blend of intimacy and celebration—small enough to keep things personal but still holding space for those you love most. It’s a wedding without the overwhelming guest list, the endless obligations, or the feeling that you’re putting on a show. Instead, it’s about being fully present, surrounded by the people who truly matter.
Whether you’re drawn to a candlelit dinner with your closest friends, a quiet ceremony in the mountains, or an intimate backyard gathering, planning a micro wedding is all about intention. Here’s how to create a day that feels effortless, beautiful, and completely you.
Step 1: Define Your Vision
Before anything else, take a moment to imagine what your wedding day feels like. Forget expectations—what kind of atmosphere do you want?
- Do you picture a laid-back outdoor dinner under twinkle lights?
- A chic city elopement with just a handful of loved ones?
- A cozy mountain lodge with an intimate guest list?
Unlike big weddings, micro weddings allow you to strip away the excess and focus on what actually matters to you. Instead of planning around a venue’s requirements or a hundred different opinions, you get to ask, what do we really want?
Step 2: Choose the Perfect Location
One of the best things about a micro wedding? Your options are endless. Because you’re not dealing with hundreds of guests, you can think beyond traditional venues. Some dreamy micro wedding ideas:
- A private Airbnb: A mountaintop cabin, a desert hideaway, or a stylish home with an epic view.
- Bonus: built-in accommodations for guests!
- A scenic outdoor location: A quiet overlook, a national park, a hidden canyon, or even your favorite hiking trail. (Permits may be required, so check in advance.)
- A cozy restaurant or winery: Perfect for food lovers who want an intimate, stylish setting without the stress of coordinating a huge event.
- A family home or backyard: There’s something incredibly special about saying your vows in a place that already holds meaning.
One of the most beautiful micro weddings I’ve photographed took place on the rugged coast of Bandon, Oregon. The couple rented a stunning Airbnb that felt like home, waking up to the sound of the ocean. They got ready together, no pressure, no rush—just a quiet, intentional morning as their family and friends shared breakfast and laughter in the next room. There were 18 people and two dogs, all moving through the space naturally, helping each other with their wedding attire, setting the table, and soaking in the moment.
My husband Jace officiated the ceremony, standing with them against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, waves crashing against the rock formations. It was raw and deeply personal—no microphones, no seating charts, just love and presence. Afterward, they all sat down for a beautifully styled dinner with custom cocktails named after the couple, candlelit centerpieces, and the kind of conversations that only happen when you’re surrounded by your closest people.
As the sun dipped lower, we made our way down the staircase to the shore, capturing stunning sunset portraits, including breathtaking drone shots of the waves rolling in. The night ended gathered around the fire pit, everyone wrapped in blankets, reflecting on the day. And the next morning? Instead of rushing off, we took a casual walk on the beach, capturing the final moments of connection before everyone headed home.
That’s the magic of a micro wedding.
Step 3: Set Your Guest List (and Keep It Small!)
Micro weddings typically have 10 to 50 guests. It is about curating an experience where everyone there genuinely matters.
Ask yourselves:
- Who do we truly want to witness this moment?
- Who makes us feel comfortable and supported?
- Are we inviting someone out of obligation, or because we want them there?
With a smaller guest list, you can actually spend time with each person, rather than just making the rounds. Every conversation, every hug, every toast—it all feels intentional.
Step 4: Personalize the Ceremony
A smaller wedding gives you the freedom to rethink tradition. Do you want a formal ceremony, or something relaxed and organic? Do you want to walk down an aisle, or simply gather in a circle with your guests? You can:
- Write your own vows (or exchange private ones before the ceremony).
- Have a friend or family member officiate.
- Incorporate a meaningful ritual—handfasting, a candle-lighting ceremony, or anything that feels personal.
Your ceremony doesn’t have to fit a mold. It just has to feel right.
Step 5: Design an Intentional Reception
Because you’re not hosting a massive event, you can put more care into the details that make the reception special. Some ideas to make it unforgettable:
- A long, beautifully set dinner table – Think candles, soft florals, and good wine.
- A family-style meal or private chef experience – Way more personal than a buffet line.
- Handwritten notes as place settings – A simple but meaningful way to honor your guests.
- Live music, a cozy bonfire, or an intimate dance floor – Just enough to create a warm, celebratory vibe.
With fewer people, you can focus on making the night feel intentional rather than just filling time with formalities.
Step 6: Capture It All (But Make It Feel Natural)
Just because you’re having a small wedding doesn’t mean you should skip photography or videography. In fact, these are the moments you’ll want to relive—those quiet, unguarded ones that make the day feel so special.
When choosing a photographer, find someone who understands the intimacy of a micro wedding. Someone who won’t turn your day into a photoshoot, but will document it as it unfolds, naturally and beautifully.
At the end of the day, a micro wedding is about stripping everything back to what actually matters—your love, your people, and the way the day feels. It’s about celebrating without the stress, the expectations, or the pressure to put on a show.
Because when it’s just you, your partner, and your closest people, you get to focus on the one thing that truly counts: the beginning of your marriage.
