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The modern couple are ditching large lavish weddings and choosing a more intimate affair. A micro wedding is a wedding that has less than 50 guests and focuses more on the meaningfulness of the day rather than the spectacle. Diamonds Factory Ireland with expert wedding planner Akilah Atiba-Davies from With Akilah & Co, unpacks the surge of this trend and why more couples are leaning towards smaller events.
Of course, the immediate benefit of a smaller wedding is the potential to spend less. With the average price of weddings now costing more than £23,000, you can't deny the draw of a micro wedding. However, just because you have less guests, doesn't mean you have to skimp out on certain luxuries.
Why the sudden jump in micro weddings?
Akilah explains that "What started as a necessity during COVID-19 has now become a preferred choice. Couples are moving away from large guest lists and instead are focusing on creating a more intimate and luxurious experience with the people they truly cherish. At Akilah & Co, we've seen a sharp increase in couples opting for smaller weddings, often in dream destinations, where they can prioritise quality over quantity."
Micro wedding misconceptions:
Akilah explains that whilst micro weddings are the more affordable option, it doesn't mean that luxuries have been missed or that the grandeur of the day has been lost. The focus moves more towards the magic of the day and the experience, rather than packed out wedding aisles. It enables the couple to create a more personal ceremony with less moving parts to worry about.
What venues are better suited to micro weddings?
Instead of banquet halls, couples are favouring unique story- driven locations like private dining experiences with intimate event spaces. Invariably, the locations selected have high emotional significance to the couple, adding to the meaningful atmosphere of a micro wedding.
Are micro weddings cheaper?
Akilah suggests "While a micro wedding may include fewer guests, couples often invest in a more luxurious experience per attendee. The average cost of a micro wedding ranges from £16,000 to £30,000. Couples may be spending more per guest, but they are investing in a higher-quality experience that wouldn't be possible with a larger wedding. It's not just about saving money–it's about prioritising luxury, exclusivity and unforgettable moments. It's like choosing a 5-star hotel over a 4-star one, not because of the price tag, but because of the elevated experience."
How to downsize the guest list:
Having an intimate ceremony doesn't mean you have to have a smaller party. Akilah & Co offer you the best of both worlds with "The Elopement & After Party". This service brings you a micro wedding, followed by an after party. This allows couples to enjoy a stress-free, personal ceremony while including a wider circle of friends and family in a relaxed and fun setting.
Are micro weddings here to stay?
With the societal shift in priorities since Covid, it's safe to safe that the modern couple are leaning more towards a micro wedding. Akilah says. "It's not about cutting costs! It's about curating an experience that feels special to you and your partner. Instead of stretching a budget across hundreds of guests, couples can upgrade the smaller details and turn their wedding into something they've only dreamed of. The most important thing is to remember micro weddings aren't about quantity but about the quality of the experience and ensuring every guest truly matters to the moment and memories you're creating."
There you have it, no more worrying about inviting enough people; focus more on what the day means to you. Large wedding parties and the expanse of a manor house are no longer the building blocks to modern weddings.
(Added by Isabelle Chamberlain, Editorial Assistant)
