As elopements and micro-weddings become more popular, you’ve got to ask what’s the difference. Is there a difference and are they right for you?

Elopements

Let’s start at elopements.

There really are no expectations for elopements, except that they are small and are often done without a prior notice.

Typically you will not send out invitations and your guest list is empty or very close to. If you do decide to have guests, it’s usually very close friends and immediate family. The traditional idea of an elopement, only includes the couple and a witness. Unless you are in a state that offers self-solemnization, which is being able to wed without a witness. You can elope in about half of the states in the U.S. without a witness.

There are no strict rules on where an elopement has to be. My husband and I eloped in a courthouse, but many couples are opting to combine their elopement with a honeymoon and choosing destination locations. As long as the paperwork is correct for your location you can elope anywhere.

Micro-Weddings

Micro-weddings are exactly like they sound. They are just small weddings.

While they are similar to elopements due to their variable size, a micro-wedding typically implies that you will have guests present. The average wedding is between 100 and 200 guests, so a micro-wedding would generally have less than that.

You will most likely see a lot of the same things that you would see in a traditional wedding, including a ceremony, reception, dinner, cake, first dance, etc. Again it is truly just a small scale version of a traditional wedding.

Should you have an elopement or micro-wedding?

The nice thing is really don’t have to define what your marriage ceremony will be. When you sign a marriage license, they will not ask what type of marriage you are having. As long as you sign the paperwork, it won’t matter if you elope, have a micro-wedding, or the traditional wedding.

So instead of choosing between an elopement, micro-wedding, or wedding, think about what is most important to you and what your budget is. Less guests, in most cases, will cost lost. Decide what kind of location you would like, a national park, a vineyard, a chapel, a hotel, a courthouse, etc. Truly think about how you want to remember the day you and your love decided to spend your lives together and if you want to follow traditions or not.

I promise if you put yourselves and your personalities first, you will be very happy with how you celebrate the day, no matter how you define it.

With Love

-Becky

New blog coming soon with marriage rules per each state, until then check out some of these quick reads.

For other definitions of these trending weddings see Elopement and Micro-Wedding.