Micro Weddings vs. Minimonies: How to Decide Which Is Best for You

How to adjust your 2020 nuptials.

By: Jen Glantz

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Finding the Perfect Wedding for You

This year has been a game-changer for the wedding world. Many planning their big day in 2020 have been faced with decisions that hardly existed last year, like: Should we postpone? Create a celebration that includes social distancing? Tap into technology and stream our big day while getting married in a room alone?

Meanwhile, the year also brought along new wedding trends to which couples are starting to say “I do”. Two of those trends are micro weddings and minimonies. Wondering what each one is and what might work for you and your new wedding arrangements? Here’s everything you need to know.

What’s a Micro Wedding?

If you’re still eager to throw a party in 2020 for your wedding, consider hosting a micro wedding, which simply means having a ceremony and/or reception with less than 50 total guests. You can consider having a smaller sit-down dinner with a ceremony to kick it off or end the night; or you can do the ceremony at one location and invite guests for more of an informal cocktail party someplace else.

Who Is a Micro Wedding For?

It’s a great option if you had a dream wedding in mind and picked out everything, from the décor to the food, and don’t want to cancel it all or save it for next year. It’s also a good idea if you’re someone whose guests live nearby and not much travel is involved––especially since some states are still shut down or early in their re-opening phases.

What’s the Downside?

The only tricky part here is cutting down a guest list if you already made one that has more than 50 people on it. Start by listing your closest family and friends and see how many additional people you can invite. You can also consider inviting your 50 guests and letting the rest of your original guest list watch the wedding virtually. That way, everyone can still be involved in some way with your updated wedding plans.

What’s a Minimony?

Are you O.K. with pausing the party for now? A minimony might be for you. Essentially, a minimony is a mini ceremony, which gives your guests an invitation to watch you commit to marriage while saving the celebration for a later date.

Who is a Minimony Best For?

If getting officially married in 2020, or even on your original wedding date, is something you really want to do, consider holding a minimony and inviting a handful of your family and friends to join in. Or, have the wedding without anybody else there. It’s a great idea if you’re looking for something intimate, romantic and personal. Of course, in the future when you do have your reception, you can do another ceremony for your guests to take part in.

What’s the Downside?

Usually, minimonies are small and include less than 10 guests. So, if you don’t want to leave anyone out and you want to make sure that your vows are heard by all of your loved ones, this might not be the best option for you. Plus, if the party was something you looked forward to more than anything, it might be a better idea to postpone or do a micro wedding instead.

Any Other Options?

If you’re still eager to explore the idea of hosting a big wedding in 2020 and these options aren’t for you, consider changing your venue to one where guests can easily keep a safe distance from one another.

Perhaps on a beach or an open field–a place where fresh air can be involved. Or, go the virtual route and do a Zoom wedding where all your guests can attend, no matter where in the world they are.

Micro Weddings vs. Minimonies: How to Decide Which Is Best for You

Related To:

Shop This Look

Finding the Perfect Wedding for You

What’s a Micro Wedding?

Who Is a Micro Wedding For?

What’s the Downside?

What’s a Minimony?

Who is a Minimony Best For?

What’s the Downside?

Any Other Options?

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