The Everything Guide to Micro Weddings: The Ultimate Source for Planning a Small and Meaningful Wedding

by Katie Martin

Overview

Ditch the long guest list and enjoy a more intimate and meaningful wedding with this guide to accomplishing your grand wedding dreams on a smaller, more affordable scale.

As more couples find that smaller weddings are more affordable, intimate, and meaningful, they’re ditching the huge blowout receptions and opting for nontraditional nuptials with fewer than fifty guests. Whether it be the budget, the stress, or something else altogether, more and more couples are turning to micro weddings to tie the knot.

With a smaller crowd, the focus shifts from “Is everyone having a good time?” to “This is the best day of my life!” Whether you want people to attend in person or will live stream the event, The Everything Guide to Micro Weddings covers everything from décor hacks, venue hunting, and tips from how to cut costs to how to gracefully tell the second cousin they’re not invited. So skip the large affair and say ‘I do’ to The Everything Guide to Micro Weddings—a perfect match for those looking to make their big day, well, small.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781507216200
Publisher:	Adams Media
Publication date:	10/12/2021
Series:	Everything� Series
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	159,570
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Katie Martin is an award-winning and internationally known wedding and event designer, speaker, and author. She is the founder of the wedding planning and design firm, Elegance & Simplicity, where she has planned, coordinated, and designed weddings and other large events in more than twenty countries and several destination cities throughout the US. She was founder and Editor-in-Chief of EcoBeautiful Weddings, the first and only online and on-demand print magazine focusing on sustainable weddings. As seen on CNN, NBC, and CBS as well as in The Washington Post and other newspapers, magazines, and blogs, she is internationally recognized as the number one expert in sustainable and eco-friendly events. Katie is the author of The Everything Wedding Book, The Everything Mother of the Bride Guide, and The Mother of the Bride Guide, as well as and countless print and online articles.

Table of Contents

Introduction 12

Chapter 1 Why Have a Micro Wedding? 15

What Is a Micro Wedding? 17

1 You Can Focus On What's Important 17

2 You Can Personalize Your Wedding 18

3 You'll Save Money 23

4 You Can Help the Environment 29

5 You Won't Have to Wait 31

Chapter 2 The Wedding Date and Tone 33

Telling Your Families 35

Announcing Your Micro Wedding 38

Choosing a Date 40

Setting the Tone Early On 45

Budgeting a Micro Wedding 46

Consider a Wedding Planner 48

Chapter 3 The Guest List 53

Set a Maximum Number 55

Who to Invite (and Who Not to Invite) 57

The Wedding Party 60

Virtual Attendees 61

Invitations 64

How to Handle Those Left Out 77

Chapter 4 The Venue 79

Finding the Perfect Venue 81

Event Venues, Mansions, Hotels, and Restaurants 82

Vacation Rentals 87

Public Spaces 88

Backyard Weddings 93

Destination Weddings 97

Plan for Rain 103

Chapter 5 The Ceremony 105

Traditional or Personal? 107

LGBTQIA+ Wedding Ceremonies 115

The Officiant 117

Including Family and Friends 119

Chapter 6 Wedding Style 123

What to Wear 125

Traditional or Personal Style? 132

Attendant Style 134

Flowers and Other Decor 135

Signage 145

Chapter 7 Food Beverages, and Music 149

Your Menu and Catering 151

Wedding Cake and Other Desserts 158

Beverages 159

Rental Options 163

Ceremony Music 165

Reception Music 168

Chapter 8 Photography, Videography, and Online Wedding Components 173

Photography 175

Videography 185

Adding an Online Component 186

Social Media 190

Chapter 9 Showers and Other Parties 193

Engagement Parties 195

Wedding Showers 195

Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties 206

Rehearsal Dinner 206

Welcome Reception 207

Wedding Day versus Wedding Weekend 209

Morning-After Brunch 213

Additional Wedding Receptions 214

Chapter 10 DIY Ideas for Every Part of Your Wedding 215

Stationery Items and Signage 217

Flowers and Decor 222

Food and Drinks 226

Vows 231

Music 234

Photography 235

Appendix: Wedding Planning Checklists 239

Budgeting Your Micro Wedding (Chapter 2) 241

Invitation and Insert Wording (Chapter 3) 244

Catering Checklist (Chapter 7) 250

Floral Design Worksheet (Chapters 6 and 10) 252

Beer and Wine-Only Bar Checklist (Chapter 7) 258

Index 260

Editorial Reviews

This book by Katie Martin offers all the advice you need.”

—SheerLuxe

From the Publisher