Micro-Weddings — Are They a Trend, Or Here to Stay?
*Unpopular Opinion* I don't think micro-weddings are here to stay...
Bold words right? But, hear me out because I think you might agree.
I think that Micro-Weddings, the way they are currently being defined, are not here for the long haul because they are not sustainable.
Why? The term was birthed out of a need last year to have smaller guest counts at couple's weddings, not because the couples wanted to have smaller weddings. And the very term "micro" implies that they are "less than" weddings - and if they are so much "less than" then they also must cost less.
That means that we have created a term for couples where we lowered the guest count and the perception of value, but not the experience.
See where I am going here? This puts wedding pros in a position where we are going to have to defend our fees if someone has a smaller guest count, but is going to require the same amount of work.
We have also just created an alternative for a couple who originally wanted a larger wedding and so that type of client will go right back to having a larger wedding as soon they can.
What I DO know is going to stick around are intimate weddings and elopements. These are well defined small wedding offerings that are created outside of an immediate need and with the goal of serving a client who truly values an intimate wedding experience. These offerings have also been created with a defined frame work and not an open-ended custom service proposition which is currently common-place with micro-wedding offerings.
Make no mistake, small weddings are here to stay. They were becoming popular pre-pandemic and will continue to become even more popular now that they have entered into the wedding world vernacular and couple’s know they are an option. But, the difference is that these offerings are created for couples who want small weddings, and with overall sustainability and profitability in mind - not a quick fix solution to a couple who originally wanted a larger wedding and now has a reason to ask for a lower price for their smaller guest count.
What do you think? I would love to hear your thoughts on micro-weddings and where you think the future of the small wedding market is heading. Either DM me on Instagram @morganmchilds or better yet, join us in the Elopement Pro Community!
Photo Credit: Anna Kim Photography