The first time I learned the word “Elopement” I was 10. I was reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin. I loved reading, and it was hard to find me without a book at that age. In the story, the youngest daughter, Lydia, had run off with the mysterious Mr. Wickham and I was wrapped up in the tale of young love and romance. We find out later that it was a plan that Mr. Wickham set up to extort money from Mr. Bennet, father of Lydia (and 4 other sisters). None the less, Lydia was elated over this “grand gesture” of love…or so she thought. Elopements and their meaning have really changed over the years. Now, venues and destination locations are pushing elopement packages and micro weddings to ensure and entice newly engaged couples to still have their dream wedding, just in a smaller capacity. As their popularity grows, especially because of the pandemic, it seems to be a viable option for those still wanting to tie the knot. The hot question on engaged couples minds “Is it for us though?” We try to answer that question today.

Let’s dive into Elopements and Micro Weddings!

Elopements vs. Micro Weddings

All over the internet, we have started to see “Elopement Packages Available” or “Micro Wedding Specialist” popping up on our timelines, but what are they exactly? I see a lot of planners and venues using these terms interchangeably, however the differences are bigger than you may think.

Elopements:

An elopement is when a couple literally takes off to get married. Sometimes they bring a friend or two to witness the nuptials, but for the most part, that’s it. Not a lot of people know, and in the traditional sense of the word, to elope is a super personal decision the couple makes between the both of them. There’s no venue to book or any of the typical wedding elements. It’s simply the couple and an officiant.

Micro Wedding:

A micro wedding typically involves a guest count of 20 or less. The planner or venue who has presented the package has already received set prices from the vendors involved. Minus some simple color changes to make the wedding a bit more personalized, it’s pretty much all done. Just add a couple, shake, and get married. These weddings, although budget-friendly, doesn’t give much room for customization or more personalization compared to what the couple might be looking for.

The Pros and Cons

Pros of Elopement

The cost is very low. Just the travel expense to get where you’re going, and maybe hire a photographer to capture the day.
No arguments from family and friends saying how you should do this or that on your wedding day.

The Cons of Elopement

You’ll be missing out on family and friends who care about seeing you marry the one you love, some may even get mad about the sudden secretive marriage.
The romance element may not be in full effect, depending on how and when you got married. While some places boast beautiful scenery as a backdrop to your wedding, some may not be so nice. I mean, do all City Halls in this country use the same decorator? UUGH, that ugly wood paneling!

Pros of a Micro Wedding

No muss, no fuss! Everything is pre-planned, and the price for all vendors needed is packaged in one payment.
Small, intimate weddings are more desirable due to people limiting their guest count to slow the spread of COVID.

Cons of a Micro Wedding

There isn’t much say so on who the vendors are, or the look you may have had in mind for your wedding. You get what is already packaged and the listed vendors can’t be changed.
The time slots are usually very small. Typical micro weddings are only a few hours versus the typical 5-6 hours of a regular wedding and reception.

How To Do It Right

If you have thought about forgoing the regular wedding route, I suggest (if the budget allows) to do either one of these options as a wedding/honeymoon in one. The Destination Wedding can be lower in cost than a traditional wedding, and just like a micro wedding package, everything is right there for you. Unlike a micro wedding, you will have a bit more say-so over cake flavor, flower choice, and other wedding planning decisions. You can still invite guests, but it’s up to them and their finances to be able to make it to your destination of choice. You can even have your wedding during the week to save money because while on an island, where you would mostly see the destination wedding setting, every day is a vacation day! The pricing can be cheaper during the week, unlike the popular weekend request. If I didn’t have such a large family, I would have definitely gone this route for my wedding hands down! All in all, this is a great way to have the best of both worlds, just make sure your passports are up to date and enjoy!

I hope I was able to better help you understand the differences between these popular styles of weddings. Now, as I usually say, these tips aren’t for everyone. Your wedding may require more or less in the planning process. Remember to take your time, and do your research to see if these options are right for what you and your fiance are looking for. If you like what you’ve read, give us a like, and share this blog on your socials. If you’re getting married or have an event to be planned, be sure to contact us today for a free consultation.

Until next time!

Keep it Chic,

XOXO

Amaris T.

The BIG Deal About Micro Weddings