Have You Heard of Micro Weddings?

A new trend in weddings has emerged due to Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings and keeping people safe. But is it the right choice for you?

There are other reasons you should consider a micro wedding besides the implications for keeping your friends and family safe from Covid. While here in New Zealand, we don’t have the problems that most people in the world are now facing when it comes to the disease, but we still need to stay vigilant and aware.

What’s a Micro Wedding

First, let’s talk about what a micro wedding actually is! Typically, people hosting a wedding would invite up to 150 people, which comes at a great expense for the soon-to-be couple and their family. A micro wedding is a scaled down version, with guests consisting of less than 50 people. This allows for a smaller budget and a more intimate setting due to the venue and costs associated with rentals of things like chairs, tables, tents, wait staff, alcohol and food.

This also opens up an opportunity for those who couldn’t afford a traditional wedding and instead get married through the Justice of the Peace. Why miss out on such a special lifetime occasion like a marriage when you could simply spend less on a wedding instead?

Couples who can still afford to spend what they typically would on a “normal” wedding are finding they can use the excess money to spend a bit more lavishly, whether that be on the type of accommodation they choose for the wedding, nicer food for their dinner or on their wedding cake and even a bit more of a splurge on their honeymoon.

Micro Wedding Venues

Since New Zealanders are still unable to travel freely (with the exception of some places in Australia), they are opting for luxurious and breathtaking places in their own backyard. We’re fortunate to live in such a beautiful place, so take advantage of the postcard-worthy locations. A micro wedding can now put that one place you’ve always wished for at the top of the list!

Start with an internet search for venues near you which could possibly host your micro wedding. We’re pretty big into outdoor type weddings here, so look for a nice restaurant or boutique hotel with a gorgeous view of the mountains or the ocean. We’d go so far as to ask the place if they’d be interested and capable of, hosting a wedding, even if they don’t advertise for it! Kiwi’s are pretty flexible and it’s always nice to support a local business in times like these.

Be sure to ask about hosting a dinner or reception and find out what kind of menu they can provide. You should also have a tasting of their offerings to be sure it meets your standards. If you love the venue but not the food, you can always cater it, but it could add a bit more to the bill.

Photographers, Florists & Cake Makers

These are some of the things that go with any wedding, so don’t leave them out! Start your search early and ask for references from your friends. Once you narrow down your choices, meet up with these folks in person to discuss your needs and budget. There are a lot of budding photographers out there who may charge less than hiring a full-on pro if your budget doesn’t allow for one. Take a look at some of their work and ask for references. You may even want to do a pre-wedding photo shoot so you can get an idea of what you’ll be in for (we don’t want any surprises here on your special day).

If you can’t afford a florist for all of your botanic needs, reach out to people you know who may have a gorgeous garden with fresh flowers instead! Offering to pay for them can be a cheaper way of decorating tables or small vases per seat (but we bet they won’t accept your money). Spring and summer in New Zealand comes with a bounty of flowering plants and bushes. Be sure you know how to keep them fresh or pick them at the very last moment to be sure they don’t end up wilting. You may even want to check tips for keeping your particular flowers as bright and cheery as possible.

Start your internet search or recommendations for local cake makers and arrange a meeting/tasting with two or three so you can find the perfect one! You can even splurge a little since you won’t need a cake to feed so many people. This is one of the things people really look forward to so be sure it’s top notch and most importantly, delicious!

Wedding Attire

We’re a pretty laid back bunch here, so if you’re on a budget, there’s no need to buy a fancy dress you’ll only wear once and an uncomfortable tuxedo is there? The bride and groom can add a bit of their personality to their wedding attire without being “stuffy.”

While you may want to keep to a certain colour scheme for your besties that stand beside you, feel free to get creative as this is your special day and you don’t need to fit into an old fashioned expectation.

If you’re having a wedding in the woods or at the beach, earthy colours and fibres will make for some great photos. Use the things you find in nature to help decorate your table, while you’re at it. Seashells and sand can make perfect holders for glass candle tumblers.

The Guest Experience

Don’t forget to make it a special day for your guests, as well! A good place to get ideas is Pinterest for place settings and personalised items that show you were thinking of them. Hand written invitations or place settings make them feel like you went out of your way (and it’s much easier for 20 than 150!).

Include the guests in your wedding photos! Most of the time you only see the bride and groom due to the amount of people typically at a wedding. With less people, you can easily fit them all in your professional photos to cherish forever. Even better, get a copy made for them and send it along with a thank you note.

Let’s not forget music! If you can’t afford a band, get together a great play list with some input from your future guests! They’ll like to hear a song or two they’re familiar with and it’s all about having a good time together, isn’t it?

The Most Important Thing

Having a wedding doesn’t always mean you need to fit into a mould so just remember, the most important thing is that you enjoy yourselves and your guests. This is a great time to show your creativeness and get input from others. More than likely, this may be the first time you’ve done it, so learn from people who have been there before to ensure you have the best day possible!

Sheer Deelites has a selection of wedding accessories along with gorgeous and affordable bridal hosiery and don’t forget the lingerie for a memorable honeymoon.

We hope this has helped with some great ideas for your micro wedding and we wish you the best on your special day!