INTIMATE BY DESIGN: THE BEAUTY OF MICROWEDDINGS & ELOPEMENTS
An elopement? A micro-wedding?? A minimony??? These are some of the terms we have heard of couples looking for all the beats of a traditional wedding, but on a smaller, more intimate scale. A microwedding is the ultimate way for newly engaged couples to plan a wedding that feels intentional and personable in a setting that closer resembles a social gathering rather than a grand celebration However, the verbiage around these kinds of elopements tends to focus on the reduction of scale rather than the luxuries it can afford a couple! Microweddings should be thought of as a mindset for wedding planning rather than just a title given to a smaller wedding.
We at Abernethy have come up with our key takeaways from hosting numerous PNW Microweddings and elopements, and how a couple can turn a tiny get-together into an unforgettable and unique union.
A MICROWEDDING FITS EVERY BUDGET
When planning a wedding scope and scale are the first questions that come to mind. While a couple may envision a luxurious, PNW wedding that’s all-inclusive and all-encompassing - all it takes is a quick review of a budget to reveal that costs and scale are impacted by attendance. A smaller guest count leads to a more intimate experience, less coordination, less dinners … you get the picture. This allows couples to splurge on additional services that may have been out of reach.
A fine dining experience for 50 rather than 200? Now it’s in our budget!
Curated favors for the 10 families in attendance? Easy!
Hire a tableside mariachi band? You do you!
A coffee cart, a live painter, a live quartet, the list goes on and on. Our takeaway is that when your guest count decreases, it can lead to an increase in incredible amenities that were not within reach on a larger scale. Ultimately affording you the wedding of your dreams.
INTENTIONAL INTIMACY
For many couples - the vision for their dream wedding is that of heartfelt embraces, slow dances to their favorite songs, eating great food and sipping cocktails with dear friends.
These key, intimate moments can sometimes get muddled by hundreds of group photos, greetings from third cousins, and other social interactions that may prove overwhelming to some couples. A microwedding allows a couple to not only cut down on the overall size of their wedding but allows them to truly curate the social experience of their elopement vision. Affording them the opportunity to truly experience their guests and each other in a very intimate way that feels relaxed and luxurious, not rushed.
And for the couples who want the experience of an intimate microwedding but still want their entire extended family and friends to witness the beautiful moment of their marriage, don’t forget that there are plenty of ways to livestream your wedding to those who can’t make it!
CREATIVITY ON A MANAGEABLE SCALE
What we feel is one of the most interesting benefits of a microwedding is in what you forgo in persons and personnel directly becomes personality and personability. Every intentional choice of the couple from the guests they invite, to the services they host, is what makes every wedding unique. Scaling down your wedding size, and then building back up with personalized, intimate experiences may prove to be the most crucial step in planning your wedding.
No matter what the scale, if your wedding day is spent with people you love, delicious food, and meaningful celebration - it will be the best day of your life. If wedding planning feels more like an impossible excursion as opposed to a romantic adventure - discuss with your partner the possibility of a microwedding or an elopement - this might just be the perfect solution to the most important decision you make for your wedding. Microweddings and elopements can provide couples with a wedding day that is not only budget conscious - but a dream wedding day that is laced with personal creativity and intimate moments.
SCHEDULE A TOUR
We at Abernethy Center want to remind you that a microwedding is only “micro” in guest count. A smaller guest count may open up grand possibilities for couples whose wedding dreams are only limited by factors like budget and scale. Looking for more wedding inspiration? Schedule a tour and discover why Abernethy Center is one of Oregon's most beloved all-inclusive wedding venues in the PNW.
Discover why so many couples choose Abernethy Center as their preferred Portland-area wedding venue and let our experienced team help bring your wedding vision to life.
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