The Coronavirus pandemic changed the way we do life, and some of those changes are going to stick around for a long time. It is my belief that the appeal of the micro-wedding has been growing over the past decade, and now that Australia is experiencing enforced social distancing, it may just be the perfect excuse to hold your very own micro wedding.

What actually is a micro-wedding?

I’m going to go out on a limb here and define a micro-wedding as a wedding attended by less than 20 people, with an emphasis on the intimate and small-scale celebration of marriage.

Whilst not quite in the same ballpark as an elopement, micro weddings are being used as a way of “sealing the deal” in a short period of time, on a budget, and are often planed with the intention of a large-scale party at a later date.

What do you need to know about micro-weddings?

Micro-weddings are a totally legitimate, and legal, way of getting hitched. By law, you only need 5 people present at a wedding to make it considered legal. The couple, the celebrant and two witnesses. Personally, I have been present at a number of 5-person weddings and have doubled up being a witness and a photographer.

Of course, for some folks, even though 100+ guests sounds like a headache, sticking to 5 guests is still too small. Micro-weddings refer to that in-between size, around 20 guests, usually consisting of your very closest relatives and friends. Choosing which guests to have at your micro wedding can be both a blessing and a curse, and you’ll likely feel the stress of limiting your choices. One of the most crucial things you’ll need to prioritise in the planning of a micro wedding is communicating with your loved ones the state of the guest list. I hereby give you full permission not to invite your whole family. Just be respectful in how you let them know the choice you’ve made.

Should you have a micro-wedding?

There’s certainly no clear cut answer to whether a micro-wedding is right for you. Weddings, as a cultural tradition, are a chance for your community to celebrate the love you both have for each other. Let’s not forget the role of community in keeping you accountable to the vows you make to each other “for better or worse”.

I ALWAYS advise engaged couples to spend some time with each other and determine what their “Top Five” is. Your “Top Five” refers to the five most important things you want to spend money on for your wedding. If a big guest list isn’t a part of that initial conversation, then perhaps it’s worth considering a micro-wedding.

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Are you planning a micro-wedding?

Please get in touch if you are looking for a wedding photographer to capture your day. Head to my contact page and fill out the form to see if I am available for your date. You can also keep up to date with my latest work on Instagram, @henrypaulphotography.