How to Plan the Best Elopement or Micro Wedding

Do you want a small, intimate wedding or a big, ritzy affair? Deciding on the right kind of elopement or micro wedding requires taking into account a number of factors. Are you looking for a small wedding with only a few guests? If so, choose an elopement because it’ll be the most intimate and special option. Do you want to avoid large weddings with hundreds of guests? In that case, you may want to consider a smaller wedding with around 50 guests. Wherever you end up going for your special day, keep these tips in mind so that your special day doesn’t end up feeling like an ordeal. After all, it’s important to have an enjoyable and stress-free celebration. So here are some helpful hints on how to plan the best elopement or micro wedding.

how to plan the best elopement or micro wedding

Decide on your ideal length first

One of the most important decisions you can make before speaking with any vendors is to decide on the ideal elopement or micro wedding length. If you’re looking for a small, intimate wedding, then an elopement or micro wedding is the perfect option. That being said, smaller weddings usually call for shorter elopements. You don’t have to be a rule-breaker to celebrate a small wedding. In fact, you and any guests can still have a lot of fun and enjoy yourselves in a very charming way. A quick elopement or micro wedding typically lasts from a day to 5 days, but if you and your future spouse want to go the extra mile and celebrate your love longer, you can always book a second ceremony or reception when you get home to celebrate with family and friends who were unable to join you.

Decide on the number of guests you’ll have

Planning a wedding is always nerve-wracking. How will you and your guests be seated, what drinks will be served, what food, and the number of courses, etc. are all important to keep in mind. You don’t want to end up with too many guests or a small guest list and have to add to it later to meet venue requirements. If you’re having a micro wedding, you will want to keep the guest count to no more than 50 people. If that’s the case, consider a destination wedding. Destination weddings can be just as charming as a home-cooked meal. You can always add on another ceremony or reception/celebration after you return home to celebrate with loved ones who could not attend.

Decide on your venue

Venues can vary from extremely expensive to reasonably priced. It’s important to consider your budget when it comes to your wedding. You don’t want to end up with a wedding that feels like a steal because you spent less money. If you want to keep your budget under control, a great option is to choose a budget-friendly venue. If you’re on a tight budget, consider smaller hotels or venues, outdoor natural locations, or reduce the number of guests. If you choose a destination wedding, reduce the number of nights you will stay, or travel during the off-season for a better value.

For convenience and stress-free planning, choose a wedding planner & travel specialist to work with

A great option is to choose a wedding planner & travel specialist to work with. They’ll help you select the best vendors for your budget and schedule. Some of the things that a good wedding planner & travel specialist will do for you include: Getting you Registered with the appropriate authorities (if you’re having a legal ceremony outside of the United States), finding a local wedding photographer, a local florist, and a caterer (if one is needed). Your travel specialist will work with you to choose a resort location that offers you everything you will need for a magical wedding day, and help you make all of your travel arrangements.

Consider the location of your ceremony and reception

Don’t settle for anything less than the best when it comes to your wedding destination. Look for a hotel with a charming garden or reception area. Ideally, your ceremony and reception will take place in the same location. When it comes to the date for your wedding, there are options based on availability. If you have a specific date in mind, start planning early to confirm your date.

Get your creative juices flowing!

Planning a wedding can be nerve-wracking and stressful. Thankfully, there are a number of options that will help make your special day as stress-free as possible. You can always use a little creative inspiration and assistance when planning your wedding. Reach out to me here to start planning your elopement or micro wedding, or if you have any questions.

5 Destination wedding decorating tips that won’t break the bank

5 Simple destination wedding decorating tips that will save you money & personalize your wedding

all inclusive destination wedding packages

  1.  Draw inspiration from your geographic location, or the type of music you like to listen to. Example, if you live in an area that is country, or if you really like country music, you can ask your guests attending your destination wedding to wear or bring with them cowboy boots and/or a cowboy hat. You can then use these items as the ‘vessel’ for your table centerpieces.
  2. The destination itself can offer ‘free’ items for inspiration & you can enlist the help of family & guests and have them involved in the decorating process. A beach location offers a perfect setting for gathering seashells to place in candle holders for enhancing that beach feel, and after your wedding the shells can be returned back to where you gathered them from. Recycled & reused with no waste
  3. When selecting flowers for your ceremony and reception, choose ones that are local to the destination. This will save you money.
  4. What is your color scheme? Ask the ladies attending to bring a sheer scarf in your primary color. These can then be used as an overlay on your tables, or fashioned together as a table runner.
  5. Ask each guest to bring a small votive candle, these can be used to decorate your tables and provide the ambiance you are looking for.

**You will need to check with your specific resort on their policies**

There are many other destination wedding decorating tips & ideas I have. Just ask me. You can also find inspiration on my Pinterest destination wedding board.

Is a destination wedding in your future? Start Planning Today

 

A Symbolic or Legal Destination Wedding?

Planning a destination wedding has some challenges. The biggest question you need to consider; do you want a symbolic or legal destination wedding ceremony.

destination wedding packages mexico, destination wedding packages Dominican Republic, destination wedding packages Jamaica, a symbolic or legal destination wedding

Legal Ceremonies

In countries where Spanish is the primary language, there is an additional cost for the translation of all required documents if they are in English

There is a separate fee for the marriage license that varies by country

Certain destinations may require a blood test

The fee for the officiant or Minister is additional

You will have to record your wedding with the appropriate government office where you live when you return home

destination wedding planning tips, caribbean destination wedding packages, destination wedding planning, destination wedding packages mexico, a symbolic or legal destination wedding

Symbolic Ceremony

The only additional cost to have a symbolic ceremony performed is the fee for the officiant

Our destination wedding couples have their legal ceremony performed at home

 

Most resort wedding packages only include 25-30 guests (including the wedding couple). For each additional guest, you will have to pay an additional cost.

If you want to use wedding pros that are not ‘preferred’ vendors for your chosen resort, you will be required to pay an offsite vendor fee. The offsite vendor fees can range anywhere from $500 to $1,500.

Don’t go it alone, I am here to help you

 

Find out more about me
Or
Start Planning Your Symbolic or Legal Destination Wedding