A photo collage of 3 different wedding types: elopement, micro wedding, and traditional wedding.
Elopement - Wedding Planning - Wedding Venues

How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Type: Elopement, Micro Wedding, Or Traditional Wedding

Planning your wedding is such an exciting journey, but it does come with a lot of choices that need to be made!

One of the largest decisions you will make is choosing the perfect wedding type that best suits your wedding vision, budget, and style.

In this post, you can explore the different characteristics, pros, and cons of elopements, micro weddings, and traditional weddings.

So get ready to dive into this post that will help you to have a clearer picture of which wedding path best aligns with your priorities and that will help you find the perfect fit for your celebration!!!

RELATED POST: Elopement Wedding Planning Checklist – Easily Plan Your Dream Elopement Wedding

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A couple eloping with text how to choose the perfect wedding type.

The Different Wedding Types

1. Elopement Wedding

Characteristics:

~ Elopements are small in size, which makes them the most intimate of the wedding types.

~ As long as you have a wedding officiant, your elopement can take place literally anywhere.

~ Elopements require minimal planning.

~ They are typically the most cost effective option.

~ Elopements allow the couple to focus solely on each other.

Pros:

~ Elopements offer an incredibly intimate and romantic setting for exchanging vows.

~ With elopements, you have way more flexibility and freedom than with any other wedding type.

~ You can save significantly on wedding venue costs, catering, decor, and other wedding expenses associated with other wedding types.

Cons:

~ One of the main drawbacks is that you may not have the room to have all of your loved ones present.

~ Due to a limited guest list, some close family members might be upset they cannot attend your wedding day.

~ You may miss out on traditional wedding moments like the first dance or walking down the aisle.

2. Micro Wedding

Characteristics:

~ Micro weddings are typically smaller than traditional weddings and involve less than 50 wedding guests.

~ Just like with elopements, micro weddings prioritize intimacy due to the smaller guest list.

~ While they can still be held in traditional venues, micro weddings usually take place in more intimate settings like a backyard, a small wedding venue, or even destination locations.

~ Micro weddings provide an opportunity for more customization and creativity due to the smaller size.

~ Planning a micro wedding can be more flexible, as there are fewer guests to coordinate and accommodate.

Pros:

~ The smaller setting fosters more meaningful and intimate moments with your wedding guests.

~ With fewer guests, you can allocate your wedding budget more efficiently, potentially spending more on specific details like high quality catering or a stunning venue.

~ With micro weddings, you are more flexible to choose unique venues that might not accommodate a larger guest list.

Cons:

~ Due to a smaller guest list, you do have to be selective about who you invite to come to your wedding.

~ For those brides who dream of a big wedding with all of the large festivities, a micro wedding might feel less grand and might not align with your wedding vision.

~ With micro weddings, you do have the potential for higher cost per person due to larger weddings sometimes receiving the benefit of bulk pricing.

3. Traditional Wedding

Characteristics:

~ Unlike the other types of weddings listed, traditional weddings involve a significant number of guests.

~ Traditional weddings often follow a more formal structure with various elements such as a bridal party, rehearsal dinner, extensive decor, and a multi-course meal.

~ Due to the larger amounts of guests, traditional weddings are usually more expensive than elopements or micro weddings.

~ They also usually require more planning time and effort to organize all of the details that goes into planning a traditional wedding.

Pros:

~ Traditional weddings have extended celebrations from rehearsal dinners to post wedding brunches that offer ample time to create cherished memories.

~ Accomadtes a larger number of guests for couples who want to invite extended family, friends, coworkers, and other acquaintances.

~ You can have elaborate wedding ceremonies and receptions to incorporate various cultural, religious, or personal traditions.

Cons:

~ Expenses can quickly add up with the wedding venue rentals, vendors catering for a larger guest list, decor, entertainment, and other essential wedding services.

~ It can be super stressful planning a traditional wedding, especially if you are trying to do it in a shorter time frame.

~ When you have a lengthy guest list, it is harder to have an intimate wedding since it can be challenging to spend quality time with each attendee.

Other Posts You Might Like:

Wedding Planning Checklist: The Ultimate Checklist to Have and Use When Planning Your Dream Wedding Day

5pm Wedding Day Itinerary Timeline: How to Easily Create the Perfect Wedding Day Itinerary

Best Wedding Planning Checklist: Essential Tasks To Do 2 Weeks Before Your Wedding

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