If you’re in the middle of planning a wedding, I know it feels all doom and gloom at the moment. The Government’s latest announcement of 15 people at weddings was a huge knock for couples and the wedding industry alike. I’m sure we all felt it was a tough week. But I want to focus on the good! COVID can’t stop love, and let’s remember that you can still get married in 2020! While the celebration you may have been planning can’t go ahead, there’s still plenty you can do. Today I want to talk about planning a micro wedding or elopement. I’m going to share 5 tips on how to plan your micro wedding positively.
What’s the difference between an elopement and a micro-wedding?
A micro-wedding is typically less than 20 guests, and with new guidelines, this is now 15. An elopement conventionally meant that you were ‘running away’ to marry, but in modern times describes a casual wedding where you get married with just the two of you present!
Understandably neither of these may be what you had in mind. But a lot of couples are choosing to go ahead and get legally married this year, and either postpone or cancel their original wedding plans. There is no right or wrong, you should do what feels good for you! If you’re considering getting legally wed in the near future, I wanted to share some ideas to bring the positivity and excitement back to your planning. Here goes.. how to plan your micro wedding positively!
1. Remember your vows have huge meaning no matter how many people witness them
When planning a large celebration, the vows can often get lost in everything else as ‘just the legal bit’. But this bit is the lasting and most meaningful part of the whole day. Your vows will tie you to your fiancé forever and that meaning is incredibly special, regardless of how many people are there to witness it. In un-certain times, saying yes and taking a step forward when everything else is being postponed, is even more powerful. It is after all the whole reason you started planning in the first place!
2. Refocus on what matters most to you as a couple
Think less about what you have lost. What were the reasons behind some of your original wedding planning decisions? When you strip it all back, what’s most important? You can use this opportunity to refocus what matters most to you both. This may be having your Dad walk you down the aisle, having a particular car to take you to the venue, or speeches from your most dear. Of course, this may lead you down the route of deciding that you do want to wait – and that is fine. Do what feels right.
3. Incorporate elements that bring your micro wedding to life and make it unique to you
Just because a micro wedding is small, it doesn’t mean it has to be minimalist. You can incorporate elements of a larger wedding to make it feel more special and in line with what you had pictured. Personalised stationery, table decor and florals, family heirlooms, etc… would all bring character and a unifying theme to a smaller wedding. All these little elements add up to the feeling of an event as we know it.
4. Treat yourself to a new outfit
If you’re still planning a larger wedding celebration in the future, and want to save your dream outfit for that ocassion , why not treat yourself to something fun. The high street has some great alternatives that won’t break the bank. It doesn’t even need to be all about the outfit. Make it about the process of choosing it – get your friends together, make a day of shopping and experimenting with a look. Think about any little extra accessories that might make you feel extra special.
5. Create a timeline for the day
Creating a timeline for your day will make it feel like more of ‘an event’ and help you create a fun structure for the day. Confetti, time out for portraits together, speeches etc. It may feel harder to make a day of a smaller wedding, but you can add in awesome extras you wouldn’t normally have time for. What about a first look, or a private first dance during your portrait session with your photographer?
If you’re thinking about a micro wedding or elopement, remember you’re not giving up anything. You’re having the best of both! Hopefully this blog gave you some ideas on how to plan your micro wedding positively and joyfully. If you go ahead, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a larger celebration later on down the line.
I hope this post was inspiring and if you’ve been feeling lost, gave you some ideas on how you can move forward with your wedding.
I now have a special micro weddings and elopements brochure, designed specifically for smaller celebrations. Head to my contact page to receive it, or DM me on Instagram to chat!
