The Case for Micro Weddings
Cover Photo By: Vaughan House
Over time, the phrase “the big day” has become almost exclusively synonymous with the day of a couple’s wedding, and it’s easy to understand why: Marriage is the ultimate sign of commitment between two people, and the decision to wed entails an immense amount of love, trust, and reciprocity. That said, this phrase can also imply that one’s wedding day can or should be a grand affair in terms of size and scope and that such a momentous occasion demands a certain level of pomp and circumstance. Elaborate, large-scale weddings are indeed marvelous events and prove to be a perfect fit for some couples; for some couples, though, the idea of a large-scale wedding simply doesn’t align with their personalities, priorities, or budgets. Fortunately, there is an option that allows couples to celebrate on a smaller scale without sacrificing the important details that express their identities and unique love story: the micro wedding.
Although definitions vary, micro weddings tend to entail a guest list of no more than 50 people and a more intimate approach to event proceedings. Essentially, micro weddings strike an ideal balance between the intimacy afforded by an elopement and the opportunities to customize and showcase a unique expression of commitment afforded by larger weddings.
Micro wedding venues tend to have several different options and packages that allow you to make intentional choices for your wedding—including the choice to let the venue take care of certain elements.
“When planning a wedding, there are certain essentials that you’ll be investing in no matter what,” said Megan Vaughan, owner (along with her husband, Mitch) of Vaughan House in Forest. “We have the ability to offer multiple core vendors in house.”
In-house customization is one of the cornerstones of a Vaughan House micro wedding. The starting package, called “Flora + Fauna,” includes a four-hour rental of the on-site greenhouse ceremony venue and adjacent reception area, a capacity of up to 50 guests, two on-site coordinators, use of various reception tables and other furnishings, and other basic amenities. Beyond this already comprehensive package, Vaughan House offers a myriad of add-on options covering everything from in-house photography and videography to china rental and custom florals, decor, styling, and lighting. Overnight stays at the on-site cottage may also be added.
“Choosing our in-house services means those pieces come together seamlessly under one team, making your day smoother, more cohesive, and stress-free,” Vaughan noted.
A micro wedding experience also tends to allow for stretches of quality time with a small number of guests rather than the frequently hurried exchanges with many guests that typify larger weddings.
In fact, at Afton-based bed-and-breakfast and micro wedding venue The Indigo House, both micro wedding packages—a DIY package that allows the couple to handpick wedding vendors and an inclusive package that offers preset vendors for most aspects of the wedding—include two nights of on-site lodging for eight
to 10 people.
“Our micro wedding packages give couples three days at the Indigo House so they can have time to finish that craft project or hang by the fire with their favorite people,” said Stephanie Thomas, owner (along with her husband, Kyle) of The Indigo House. “Besides the beautiful surroundings of nature, our couples choose our micro weddings so they can have more time with the people they hold closest.”
Regardless of specific venue offerings, a common thread runs through all micro weddings: an emphasis on presence over performance.
“Big weddings have the potential to turn into performances where the couple becomes the entertainment, not the reason,” Vaughan remarked. “A smaller, more intentional wedding gives you the ability to slow down, to look each other in the eye and remember why you’re here. It’s not about impressing the guests. It’s about writing your first chapter together surrounded by your closest friends and family, in a beautiful way that’s uniquely you. We love watching our couples be fully present with each other and with their guests.”
Guests will also likely appreciate this focus on mindfulness and feel privileged to be included in a more intimate and selective event.
“There’s a sense of honor you bestow on your community when you invite them to your micro wedding,” stated Thomas. “It speaks to the love and support of the people who will see you through your actual marriage, not just [the time] leading up to it.”
Although its popularity initially surged out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the micro wedding has continued to gain momentum long after gathering size restrictions were lifted. The wedding industry may see its share of passing trends, but it’s clear that micro weddings are here to stay.
“Micro weddings aren’t a trend; they’re a return to focusing on what truly matters,” said Vaughan. “The pandemic may have forced the concept into the spotlight, but what couples discover in those smaller celebrations is something far more lasting: the true meaning of that day. At Vaughan House, we see it every day: couples trading feeling overwhelmed for intimacy and production for presence. It’s a privilege to witness the glow of something so sacred.”
As you and your fiancé work together to plan your wedding, it may be helpful to first define what that ubiquitous “big day” phrase means to you. Perhaps, in the end, it is a series of authentic moments that makes for the biggest days, and the day of a wedding—whatever its size—is just the first in a lifetime of big days spent creating and sharing those moments.
“Marriage has been our favorite adventure yet, and we’re so grateful for the couples who choose to start that adventure here at the Indigo,” Thomas remarked. “Small weddings lead to big moments.”
