What Is a Micro Wedding Compared to a Minimony?

Couples are choosing to downsizing their wedding to intimate celebrations, elopements and micro weddings. There are key differences between the various types of events. While some are fundamentallysmaller in guest count(elopements are considered more secretive and of-the-moment, whereas micro weddings are full-on nuptials with up to 50 guests), only about 10 percent of all weddings in the U.S. in recent years fit into either category. More prevalent in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic is the option of a minimony with a postponement to your eventual wedding date.

What Is a Minimony?

What exactly is a minimony? It’s exactly that: a minimony is a mini ceremony held with your loved ones, or simply a moment of commitment shared between yourselves. Given the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, couples have been opting to move forward with weddings or mini ceremonies, now defined as minimonies, for a range of reasons. 

What makes this event different is its size and its meaning. A minimony is considered a commitment ceremony between you and your partner, and it can include up to 10 people—as long as you adhere to social distancing measures. The health of you and your loved ones should be priority throughout the planning and postponement process. Many couples who’ve had to postpone their nuptials (millions through summer 2020, in fact) are encouraged to consider a minimony to honor their original wedding date or to move forward with this option for legal purposes. 

A minimony usually involves an officiant (in-person or virtual), a small group of loved ones, along with select vendors your larger wedding would include. Your minimony would include an experience: handwritten vows, a first dance on your balcony, as well as snapshots of details culled from your larger wedding. This includes tapping your pastry chef to bake a mini wedding cake, ordering small arrangements from your florist, or requesting your photographer capture this special occasion from afar.

What Is a Micro Wedding?

A micro wedding, like its name suggests, will typically include a guest list of up to 50 guests—often immediate family and super-close friends only. Though tiny in guest count, a micro wedding differs from a minimony. Plus, it isn’t an elopement, which is usually planned and attended only by the couple (and a witness) and often performed in secret (though not always). Think of a micro wedding as a cross between an elopement and a big, traditional wedding—and it might just be the perfect compromise to suit your style.

While a micro wedding can save you money, many couples are turning it into a macro experience. While the overall guest count was also down, the average cost per guest went up. Micro weddings, however, are not the type of occasion where couples should look to cut corners from the beginning. Many couples who throw micro weddings will splurge on a top-shelf open bar and a savory sit-down dinner simply, with intimacy in mind. With a guest list of 35 of your nearest and dearest, a tropical destination weekend wedding, a designer wedding dress or over the top floral. Of course with Laurie Andrews Design.