A micro wedding, usually under 30 guests, still has the same key decisions as a larger wedding, but many tasks shrink or disappear. This checklist shows what to focus on, what you can likely skip and how to spend your budget where a small group will feel it most.
With fewer guests, the budget per person rises, so priorities matter even more. Many micro-wedding couples put their money into food, photos or a special place rather than scale.
Agree on a firm number before anything else and treat it as a cap. With under 30 guests, each extra person is a noticeable share of the room, the table and the budget.
Use one simple rule you both apply, such as immediate family plus the people you both see regularly, and agree how to answer anyone who asks why they weren’t invited. A later casual party can help.
Ask whether pricing is a hire fee or a minimum spend, whether you’ll have the space to yourselves, and what time you must finish. Restaurants may need a full private-hire booking for evening exclusivity.
Ask about shorter coverage or small-wedding packages of a few hours. With fewer people, photographers can capture every guest, so share who matters most and leave time for relaxed portraits.
A small wedding often centers on a long, relaxed meal. Build toasts between courses, leave room for guests to speak, and don’t feel you need a traditional dance floor.
Even a small wedding needs a timeline, especially if you’re moving between a ceremony and a restaurant. Add travel time, a photo window and the moment the restaurant needs you seated.
Micro wedding checklist: 147 tasks
Every task that applies, in the order you’ll need it. Tap any task for its step-by-step guide.
Getting Started
Just engaged? Enjoy it first. The planning can start slowly.
Agree on your top wedding priorities
Pick 3–5 shared priorities to guide every later choice
For a micro wedding: With fewer guests, the budget per person rises, so priorities matter even more. Many micro-wedding couples put their money into food, photos or a special place rather than scale.
Set your working budget
Agree on a total, add a contingency, then split by priority
For a micro wedding: Budget per guest rather than per item, then check the total. A small wedding isn’t automatically cheap: higher-quality food, drinks and a beautiful location can easily absorb what you save on numbers.
Talk about family contributions
Clarify amounts, timing and any strings before you plan
For a micro wedding: Agree on a firm number before anything else and treat it as a cap. With under 30 guests, each extra person is a noticeable share of the room, the table and the budget.
Draft your guest list in three tiers
Must invite, would like, if space allows — adjust later
For a micro wedding: Use one simple rule you both apply, such as immediate family plus the people you both see regularly, and agree how to answer anyone who asks why they weren’t invited. A later casual party can help.
Choose a season or date range
A flexible window makes venue and vendor dates easier
For a micro wedding: Look beyond wedding venues: restaurant private rooms, rented houses, gardens, galleries and small inns often suit under 30 guests. Many large venues won’t take small parties on peak dates, so ask directly.
Visit your shortlisted venues
Go at your wedding’s time of day with a list of questions
For a micro wedding: Ask whether pricing is a hire fee or a minimum spend, whether you’ll have the space to yourselves, and what time you must finish. Restaurants may need a full private-hire booking for evening exclusivity.
Secure your ceremony location
Lock in a separate place of worship or office alongside it
For a micro wedding: Ask about shorter coverage or small-wedding packages of a few hours. With fewer people, photographers can capture every guest, so share who matters most and leave time for relaxed portraits.
Decide on a videographer
Decide if you want film, then match style and deliverables
For a micro wedding: Small numbers open up options like a private chef, a restaurant set menu or family-style sharing plates. Check each caterer’s minimum guest count or minimum spend before you fall for a menu.
Book your officiant
Make sure they can lead your ceremony and any legal part
For a micro wedding: A band or DJ can feel large for a small room. A solo musician for the ceremony and a well-made playlist on a good speaker is often enough; confirm the venue allows it.
Know what to check in every vendor contract
Inclusions, payments, cancellation, substitutes, usage rights
For a micro wedding: Many artists have a minimum booking fee for travel on a wedding day. Ask about it upfront, and consider whether you need a full team or just one artist.
Check permits for a private or outdoor venue
Homes, parks and beaches may need event or alcohol permits
For a micro wedding: Micro weddings often happen at homes, gardens, parks or beaches. Even a small gathering may need permission for a public space, amplified music or alcohol, so ask the local authority early.
Create your wedding website
Date, location, travel and hotels before save-the-dates go
For a micro wedding: A full website is optional for a micro wedding. A single shared page or message with the date, address, timings and dress code may be all your guests need.
Collect guest addresses and contact details
Mailing, email and phone for every household in one sheet
For a micro wedding: With a short guest list, a personal message or call often works better than printed save-the-dates. Just make sure everyone gets the date at around the same time.
Book the remaining vendors
Only add services that serve your shared priorities
For a micro wedding: With a small group, a relaxed dinner the night before can include every guest. Keep it informal so it doesn’t feel like a second wedding to plan.
Book transport for the two of you
To the ceremony, between venues and away at the end
For a micro wedding: Each plus-one or child is a large share of a small guest list, so decide early and apply the rule consistently. Name exactly who is invited on each invitation.
Decide your dress code
A clear term that suits the venue, season and footwear
For a micro wedding: A small wedding often centers on a long, relaxed meal. Build toasts between courses, leave room for guests to speak, and don’t feel you need a traditional dance floor.
Check venue rules for vendors and décor
Noise curfews, candles, confetti and required suppliers
For a micro wedding: Spend where guests will look: the table, the ceremony spot and your personal flowers. Ask florists about minimum orders, since some don’t take very small weddings on busy dates.
Confirm transportation details
Give every address, pickup time and a day-of contact
For a micro wedding: A simple shared album works well with a small group. You may not need printed QR signs; a message with the link before the day is often enough.
For a micro wedding: Open toasts can work well with a small group. Give people a heads-up so anyone who wants to speak can prepare a few words, and keep a loose running order.
Buy shoes and accessories
Bring them to your first fitting so hems are right
For a micro wedding: Invitations can be more personal here: a handwritten card, a phone call followed by a digital invite, or a small printed run. Still include a clear RSVP date so vendors get final numbers.
Track RSVPs as they arrive
Attendance, meals, dietary and access needs in one list
For a micro wedding: Consider one long table or two facing tables so everyone is part of the same conversation. Decide where the two of you sit and who needs to be near an exit or the restroom.
Apply for your marriage license
Check the window, any waiting period and the expiry date
For a micro wedding: Even a small wedding needs a timeline, especially if you’re moving between a ceremony and a restaurant. Add travel time, a photo window and the moment the restaurant needs you seated.
Set up guest photo sharing
Test it on several phones, then add it to site and signs
For a micro wedding: Your venue manager or restaurant host may be the best day-of contact, since most guests will be close family. Choose someone who is comfortable stepping away for a few minutes.
Check mobile signal and Wi-Fi at the venue
Weak coverage affects payments, uploads and coordination
Plan a micro wedding by agreeing on a firm guest number and your top priorities first, then booking an intimate venue such as a restaurant private room, house or garden. Book a photographer and caterer with small-wedding options, send personal invitations, and plan a relaxed timeline around the ceremony and a shared meal. Skip room blocks, favors and most signage.
How many guests is a micro wedding?
A micro wedding usually means under 30 guests, though there’s no official definition. It’s larger than an elopement but small enough that everyone can share one table or one conversation.
Is a micro wedding cheaper?
Often, but not always. Fewer guests lowers catering and venue costs, but many couples spend more per person on food, drink, photos or location. Set a total budget and a per-guest figure to keep it in balance.
How do you tell people they aren’t invited to a small wedding?
Be kind, brief and consistent: explain that you’re keeping the wedding very small with close family and a few friends. You don’t need to justify every choice. Some couples follow up with a casual celebration later.
Where can you have a micro wedding?
Good options include restaurant private rooms, rented houses, gardens, small inns, galleries and scenic outdoor spots where permitted. Ask about minimum spend, exclusivity and whether the space can host a legal ceremony if you need one.
Do you need a wedding website for a small wedding?
Not necessarily. For under 30 guests, a single shared page or a clear group message with the date, address, timings, dress code and RSVP date often does the job.