In the era of the pandemic, micro weddings have become a popular trend. These intimate weddings offer a chance for the couple to celebrate their special day with their closest friends and family. As a photographer, capturing the candid moments that make these micro weddings so special is crucial.
Micro Wedding Planning Tips
A micro wedding is an intimate celebration that typically involves less than 50 guests. It’s a great way to celebrate your love in a more personal and meaningful way. While the size of your wedding may be smaller, that doesn’t mean it can’t be just as memorable and special. Below are a few things to remember while planning your micro wedding:
Look at tradition with a different lens - There are some traditions that absolutely make sense for large traditional weddings. Like the bride and groom getting ready separately with their respective wedding parties. With micro-weddings, consider getting ready together or allow the space to be a more intimate moment with family members.
Don't overlook the importance of your day-of wedding timeline - Just because you have the flexibility throughout the day doesn't mean you should skip on being intentional. Designate the moments that are important to you and allow the space in the day for those to occur.
Communicate what you value - This is always important in any wedding to communicate the significance in various parts of your day. Knowing your personalities and preferences can help your photographer capture moments that are unique to you.
Micro Wedding with Impactful Moments
Planning your wedding, regardless of size, still has various impactful moments that tell the story of your day. I have found the smaller the crowd the harder it is to blend-in as a photographer, so here are some photography tips for micro weddings to help you create a magical wedding galleries full stunning images that the you will cherish forever:
Opt-in for a First Look or Get Ready Together - This can be a great opportunity for your photographer to capture some intimate and emotional moments rather than them just showing up at the ceremony with no clear documentation of how the day started.
Personal Vows - Writing your own personal vows is a great way to make your micro wedding more personal and meaningful. It’s a chance for you to express your love and commitment to each other in your own words. Your guests will appreciate the personal touch and it will make your ceremony even more special.
Ceremony - Ask family or friends to participate in your ceremony. Whether it is as an officiant or a reading/blessing this is a great opportunity to include those close family members and friends you chose to share your day with. Complete the ceremony with a "Grand Exit" and don't forget the kiss mid-aisle. You can use floral petals, biodegradable confetti, streamers, rice or bubbles to make your "I do" an impactful moment. Photos that capture movement always create more emotion!
Formal Portraits - With smaller weddings I love include formal photos of the couple with all their guests and even allowing all couples to have individual portraits. Even include a group photo of all your guests.
Intimate Reception - Your micro wedding reception can be just as special as a larger reception. Consider having a seated dinner or a family-style meal. You can also add some special touches like personalized place cards or notes to each of your guests. BONUS: Don't skip on the speeches and toast during reception. Allowing all your guests an opportunity to speak and toast to you create opportunity for more candid photos of guests laughing and interacting.
Interactive Activities - Since your micro wedding is smaller, you can include some interactive activities that will allow your guests to connect and have fun. Consider DIY bar, photo booth, games and more! I still recommend a romantic dance and including a playlist for the entire evening.
The beauty of micro weddings is the intimacy they provide. I am always looking for candid moments between the couple and their guests, such as laughter, hugs, and tears. These moments are often the most emotional and memorable, and capturing them can create stunning images that you will cherish.
Let me know what you think in the comments, have you considered these ideas for your micro wedding?