Imagine saying “I do” in a beautiful private setting surrounded by your closest family and friends—what more can you ask for? Your big day should always be about you and your partner and a micro-wedding allows you to do things your way, instead of trying to please others. Because it’s on a much smaller scale, you have more micro-wedding venue options, from cafes, banquet halls, and restaurants to other unconventional places like museums, galleries, amusement parks, wineries, and more.
Micro weddings may not be for everyone, especially for couples who enjoy the company of a large crowd on their wedding day. But if having only a handful of guests is what you prefer for an intimate ceremony, here are a few micro wedding venues you should check out in advance:
House with a Backyard
You don't have to search far and wide because rental homes for events are found pretty much everywhere. It could be a mansion, a ranch-style house, or a cozy cottage home with a backyard you can decorate as an outdoor ceremony space and an indoor area for dining and a late-night party.
Art Galleries
Art lovers or not, couples will admire the ambiance, style, and art pieces in an art gallery. After all, where else can you find priceless works of art hanging on the walls of your wedding venue? It's a smart and classy choice perfect for small weddings.
Modern Rooftop Terrace
Take your summer micro wedding to new heights (literally and figuratively) by hosting it on a modern rooftop terrace. Set up the comfy lounge chairs, hang the fairy lights, and exchange vows with the views of the sprawling city as your stunning backdrop.
Countryside Chapel
You still prefer a traditional venue but want an intimate wedding in a different environment to get away from it all. Pick a small chapel in the countryside and enjoy the fresh air, picturesque landscapes, and unmatched exclusivity.
Every couple has a vision of what their dream wedding looks like, whether it's a small celebration or a large-scale affair. What matters to you for a wedding venue may not be so important for others. So before shopping around, discuss with your spouse-to-be your non-negotiables to establish your priorities.
Cost
Since you have a small guest count, you'll probably have more budget for the venue, or maybe you chose a micro wedding due to a very limited budget. Whatever your situation is, narrow down your search by exploring micro wedding locations within your budget range because the last thing you'll want is to start your marriage life in debt.
Location
You'll bring only a handful of guests so getting to remote and more secluded spots shouldn't be a problem. But, you must determine where you want it to take place—on the beach, by the lake, at the top of a mountain, in the forest, or in a private room with all the amenities you need.
Services
Check what services and amenities the event space has, like catering, photography, decor, or music equipment. If they lack any of these things, determine if they allow outside vendors and suppliers.
Privacy
Many couples prefer micro weddings for a lot of reasons but the privacy and sense of intimacy it gives often tops the list. If you're like them, consider indoor and outdoor event spaces that prioritize privacy and inclusivity.
When you go small or micro, it doesn’t mean you should forget about the elements and special ceremonies that make a successful wedding. It’s simply a smaller version of the weddings we used to see. You still embrace all the traditions and wedding details, but you have fewer guests to entertain and think about and the vibe can be more relaxed.
You have more options for micro wedding venues due to your limited number of guests. Try a heritage home to soak up the nostalgia of the past, a local beach to bask in the sun and say your vows on the sand, or a family farm where guests will be greeted by curious farm animals.
How about a venue tour as part of the program? It’s more exciting and interactive for private events held at one-of-a-kind spaces like a brewery, distillery, vineyard, animal sanctuary, or botanical garden. The tour can take a few minutes to an hour, depending on the venue features and how much you want to see of the place. Some couples also rent a venue with accommodation options like a private estate with available rooms, hotels, or a countryside cottage to spend their wedding night after the party.
It's a good idea to select a venue with an outdoor area and a lovely ceremony space indoors, especially for cities or towns with unpredictable weather conditions. This way, you won’t be too worried during rain or snow.
If you can’t embellish the place or are unable to do much with décor, let your small wedding cake be the reception's centerpiece. Then have a champagne toast to celebrate such a special occasion. No matter where you want to have your micro-wedding, bring with you an elopement photographer who loves to travel and can help you plan your day, create timelines, and identify photo opportunities.
You may only have 15 or 25 guests, but it doesn’t mean you should skip the wedding planning process. Just like larger weddings, your micro wedding can feature time-honored ceremony traditions, though on a much smaller scale. To get started, here are several planning tips for an unforgettable intimate celebration:
Choose a Venue
One of the best things about micro weddings is that they open more venue possibilities. Those unique spaces that are inaccessible to larger gatherings become available like bars, cafes, museums, conservatories, and greenhouses. Some venues also have micro wedding packages for up to thirty or fifty guests, complete with decor, cake, photographer, etc.
Pick an Officiant
Apart from the venue, one way to customize the wedding is to pick who you want to officiate your marriage. It could be a civil officiant, a religious officiant, or someone you know who’s authorized or registered to do so.
Make a Guest List
You just need to invite a few people, so some might think it’s an easy decision, but it’s not, especially if you and your future spouse have large circles of friends. But if you’ve both agreed on a micro wedding, you have to sit down and really think about who you want on your special day.
Hire a Photographer
You’ll be less likely to need a lot of vendors and suppliers, especially if you opt for a destination micro wedding, but a professional photographer is a must. Do your homework before hiring a photographer because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event and you’ll want every special moment captured in quality images.
Take full advantage of your small guest list and get married in a place you couldn’t go otherwise. We’ve got a few ideas for your micro wedding in case you need inspiration.
Destination Wedding
Get married with the love of your life out of town. It’s impractical to have your friends, colleagues, and families travel to a certain location and spend money on lodging and airfare. But with a small group, you have more freedom to throw a weekend event in an exotic destination.
Vineyard Ceremony
When you have a vineyard wedding ceremony, the rolling hills, rows of lush vines and ripe grapes, and scenic mountains are your backdrop. It's a refreshing setting with incredible views, so who needs an elaborate flower design to decorate the place?
Ethereal Riverside Reception
It's hard not to fall in love with a riverside venue's tranquil and romantic atmosphere. It doesn't matter if it's a pavilion, a rental home sitting by the river, or just a tent you set up on-site. After the wedding party, let the soothing sound of the flowing river serenade you as you chill and relax.
Garden Wedding Ceremony
No matter what wedding style, type, or theme you go for, an outdoor garden space will never be out of fashion. Even if it looks like all the other community gardens in your area, the shimmering candles, fairy lights, and floating lanterns with different flower arrangements will the do trick.
Industrial Loft Micro Wedding
If you don't want anything fancy or dramatic and would rather book a venue you can play around with and showcase your creativity, pick a blank canvas space like an industrial loft. It has large windows for natural light and a minimalist design, so you can embellish the space according to the couple's tastes and personalities.
So, you and your partner have decided to have a micro wedding, but where can you find the perfect venue for your big day? Whether you like a more central location within the city or a rural setting, these places have got you covered:
Tucson
From the ranch resorts and Victorian mansions in the heart of the city to the picturesque desert gardens and cultural facilities in the historic El Presidio neighborhood, Tucson has lovely spots suitable for micro weddings. No matter your budget, you'll find a place where the ambiance, services, and setting come together to make your dream wedding come true.
New York City
Party all night and day in the City that Never Sleeps. With five dynamic boroughs to choose from, it's impossible not to find the perfect spot to say "I do" in front of your closest loved ones. Manhattan is a crowd favorite, where you'll find numerous museums and the iconic Central Park, but if you want a private outdoor space, Staten Island is the place to be.
Chicago
Chicago, a.k.a. the Windy City is worth adding to the list. Select from one of its awe-inspiring architectural structures and get lost in the relaxing jazz music at night at one of its live music venues and bars. You don't have to worry about catering because it's a food lover's paradise with tons of restaurants, food trucks, and caterers ready to serve you.
You can't just decide to have a wedding on a whim—it requires a lot of planning, money, and effort and may even make you wonder if it’s all worth it. Even the task of finding the best location for the ceremony and reception can be tricky. With Giggster, it doesn’t have to be, giving access to the best micro wedding venues in numerous cities in just a few clicks. You'll get all the information you need for your potential venue so that you know what to expect.