I’ve been a wedding photographer since 2007 (yes, nearly twenty years). And for a long time, I thought weddings had to fit in a certain box. The long, obligatory guest list. The traditional dances. The pre-determined timeline. But the more weddings I photographed, the more I realized that love doesn’t fit in any kind of box, and neither should your wedding. Since then, I’ve been expanding my world, embracing nontraditional weddings and documenting genuine love in all its forms. And still to this day, one of my favorite things to photograph is micro weddings.
What is a Micro Wedding?
Micro weddings are intimate wedding celebrations, usually with between 10 and 50 guests. That’s it! They became popular during the pandemic, when couples had to rearrange their wedding plans and strip their guest list to their closest friends and family.
And you know what happened? People loved it.
Suddenly, the pressure of a traditional wedding was off their shoulders. They had more freedom to do what they wanted, spend time with the people they loved, and celebrate in a natural, down-to-earth way that felt easy and restful. While micro weddings may have been born out of necessity, they’ve become so much more than a trend. Keep reading to learn why I love them so much!
But First, What’s the Difference Between a Micro Wedding and an Elopement
While a micro wedding has between 10 and 50 guests, elopements are traditionally much more private. Usually, an elopement only includes the couple getting married, the officiant, and maybe one or two witnesses. Whether they take place in a local courthouse or on the beaches of Hawaii, elopements are private and personal, while micro weddings still invite a select number of guests.
Now, Back to Micro Weddings (and why I may or may not be obsessed with them)
Time With Guests
The biggest difference I see in micro weddings versus traditional weddings is the time you get to spend with your guests. At a larger wedding, you’re pulled in every direction trying to greet everyone. And unfortunately, that often means you don’t get to spend as much time eating, chatting with the people you’ve looked forward to seeing, or getting down on the dance floor. When you have a smaller, more purposeful guest list, you get to spend intentional time with the people closest to you.
Higher Quality Details
One of my favorite things about micro weddings is how personal they are! When you have a smaller guest list, you can spend more of your budget on unique details and experiences. If you’re a foodie, you can go all out on a five course meal. Or maybe you want to have a one-of-a-kind experience for your guests, like a live wedding painter or custom illustrations!
This goes for your venue, too. The larger your guest list gets, the more limited your venue options become. But with a micro wedding? You have dozens of out-of-the-box options to explore, like Lincoln Chapel, the Greenhouse at Driftwood, and Sekrit Theater, a space that truly defies definition. And you would be shocked by how many “everyday places” would be excited to host a micro wedding! Think about your favorite coffee shop, restaurant, or bar. With a small guest list, you can truly shape the celebration around your personalities and interests.
A More Flexible Timeline.
What’s your highest priority for your wedding day? For so many couples, they just want to enjoy the day. They want to be present, not rush from moment to moment. Micro weddings allow for more flexible timelines, which means you can focus on what’s important to you. Dinner. Dancing. Portraits. You name it.
More Time for Photos
Am I biased when it comes to photography? Yes, absolutely. But the truth is, when your wedding day is over, your photos are what you have to remember it by. The best day of your life goes so quickly, and my job is to document it so you can relive it as many times as you want.
A more flexible timeline means that we can spend more time taking portraits. And for me, that’s my favorite thing in the world. I love getting to know you, helping you feel comfortable in front of the camera, and taking photos that make you feel like the best and most beautiful version of yourself. We can take our time to explore your venue, walk through Downtown Austin, or simply bask in that post-ceremony glow. Your wedding is sacred, and you shouldn’t feel rushed or pressured through any part of it.
How Photographing a Micro Wedding is Different Than a Traditional Wedding
Every love story is beautiful, and I feel honored every time I’m asked to photograph one. But if I’m honest, there’s something magical about documenting micro weddings. Due to the smaller crowd, every moment feels more personal. There is often a greater focus on the couple and their connection. Plus, the guest list is typically made up of only very close friends and family, which means their reactions are often just as powerful and emotional as your own! They are more relaxed and slower-paced, which makes the entire day feel calm.
Larger weddings are often more complex, with many moving parts that require strict attention to detail. Formal photos with family and the wedding party take longer with more people, which leaves less time for portraits. And when there is less time to simply be present, it becomes more difficult to capture those honest, unposed moments.
Micro Wedding Photographer in Austin, Texas
There are pros and cons to every type of wedding, whether it’s big, small, local, or destination. While I love photographing micro weddings, they aren’t the best fit for every couple! This is your wedding, and you get to make the rules. Decide your priorities and then stick to them, no matter what anybody else tries to say.
But if you’re reading this blog and starting to think that a micro wedding would solve all of your problems and give you your version of “the best day ever”… we should totally talk. Take it from a micro wedding photographer who threw it all away and eloped for her own wedding: sometimes less is more. Explore my wedding photography packages and reach out to learn more about micro wedding photography!
“We had the most amazing experience with Naomi! She was so responsive leading up to our wedding and took the time to get to know us/understand what we wanted to capture during our special day. On our wedding day she made us feel so comfortable and helped guide us every step of the way without making it feel forced or awkward. And WOW did the photos turn out incredible! She turned them around so quickly to us (the sneak peek was 2 days after our wedding and everything else was less than a month!) We could not be happier and can’t recommend her enough!!”
Sara