Are you recently engaged and not interested in planning a huge wedding?
You are not alone — smaller micro-weddings have become popular over the past few years.
There’s no denying that planning a wedding is a huge undertaking and an even more considerable investment.
Some couples today are unsure whether to invest in their wedding. Others have planned micro-weddings in the hopes of having a larger celebration in the future.
Whatever your choice, by the end of this article you will easily be able to host your micro-wedding in New York City.
In this article, you will learn:
- How to plan a micro-wedding in NYC
- The cost of a micro-wedding in NYC
- Benefits of having a micro-wedding in NYC
- And much more
Table of Contents
- What Is a Micro-Wedding?
- How Popular Are Micro-Weddings in NYC?
- How to Plan a Micro-Wedding in NYC
- How Much Does a Micro-Wedding in NYC Cost?
- 4 Benefits of Having a Micro-Wedding in New York
- Julian Ribinik Photography: Skilled and Professional Photography For Your Micro-Wedding in NYC
What Is a Micro-Wedding?
Micro-weddings are a simple and affordable method of starting a marriage.
They are an intimate affair, typically with no more than 50 guests. Often, micro-weddings include around 30 guests, and it’s not uncommon to see an even smaller gathering.
These weddings still feature time-honored wedding traditions, but on a much smaller scale.
Micro-weddings became popular around the time of COVID and were needed because of city and state regulations. They were often hosted in an intimate space like a backyard or someone’s home.
With a micro-wedding, there is usually no formal reception — think cheaper:
- Food
- Drinks; and
- Music
Micro-weddings are a less expensive and more intimate way to do a wedding, keep what is essential, and still celebrate your big day.
How Popular Are Micro-Weddings in NYC?
Micro-weddings are popular in the area. However, because of the lack of space available to host them, micro-weddings are often not feasible in New York City.
If NYC couples want a micro-wedding, they often travel to nearby suburbs of:
- Upstate New York
- Long Island; or
- New Jersey
How to Plan a Micro-Wedding in NYC
#1: Create a Guest List
When creating your guest list, you have an opportunity to consider who has made the most significant impact on your life.
Make a list of those family and friends who must be present on your wedding day. It is essential to distinguish between people you want to be there and those you would like to be there.
Remember, micro-weddings range between 10-50 people — different from an elopement where the bride and groom get married without guests.
#2: Choose a Location
Micro-weddings often occur in backyards or private homes, but that is not always the case. Instead, they can be held anywhere from a mountainside to a fancy hotel.
NYC locals often pay for a location outside the city because New York City homes don’t typically have enough yard space for a wedding. Because of this, renting private yards or homes in the suburbs has become popular for micro-weddings.
#3: Decide on Wedding Day Outfits
Due to the nature of a smaller and often more laid-back experience, brides and grooms sometimes choose to go more casual in their outfits.
Photographers have seen it all, from:
- Jumpsuits
- Formal gowns
- Thrift outfits
- Jeans and suspenders
Your big day should be a day to wear anything you like.
#4: Decide If You Want a Wedding Party
Since the guest count is already so low, some couples choose not to have a wedding party during their micro-wedding.
Alternatively, you and your partner could have one special friend or family member beside you as you say, “I do.”
No matter how many guests you invite, the size of your wedding party is up to you.
#5: Decide on Vendors
Due to …
- The smaller size
- Budget-friendly nature; and
- Focus on the marriage
… many couples limit their vendors for micro-weddings.
The officiant and photographer are the most important vendors for smaller weddings. However, you might also want to include a:
- Florist
- Bakery
- Hair and makeup stylist; or
- Musician
Some ways to help limit the number of vendors needed for your big day include:
- Cooking foods yourself
- Catering from a local restaurant
- Serving only appetizers and dessert
- Using a homemade playlist and speaker for music instead of a DJ
- Asking family and friends to take photographs
If you want to leave the photography to the professionals, Julian Ribinik Photography has experience with micro-weddings.
With our unique photography style, we capture the event’s full scope and highlight the couple’s chemistry.
Are you interested in learning more? Get in touch with us today.
How Much Does a Micro-Wedding in NYC Cost?
The cost of a micro-wedding will depend on what you decide is essential — and what you can do without.
Typically, micro-weddings cost about 50% less than a traditional wedding. However, a micro-wedding in NYC could still be pricey.
NYC is the most expensive city for a wedding in the United States. Traditional, city weddings cost between $60,00-$70,000. A micro-wedding usually costs about $10,000, but could be a bit more depending on your location and vendors.
4 Benefits of Having a Micro-Wedding in New York
Micro-weddings in New York offer many benefits. The following are four of the most common.
#1: Save Money on Vendors and Venue
A micro-wedding is often cheaper than a traditional wedding. NYC wedding venues and vendors can be costly.
However, since you will need less for a micro-wedding, your budget for vendors and venues will be smaller.
You will be able to eliminate a lot of common wedding expenses, such as:
- Decor
- Tables
- Chairs; and
- Transportation
Since you can save money on these things, you can spend more on what matters to you. For example, have you always wanted to hire a particular band? Why not give each guest a personalized wedding favor?
Discuss your top three priorities with your partner. By saving money on vendors and venues, the result might be a lower bill at the end of the night without compromising what matters to you.
#2: Spend Your Budget Elsewhere
Micro-weddings also allow you and your partner to splurge on areas that are important to you.
Some fun ways to spend your budget elsewhere include:
- Spoil your guests with a welcome dinner the night before the event
- Host a goodbye brunch
- Plan tours or events for them to do while in the area
- Hire the photographer of your dreams
- Invest in good music
- Buy the dress you’ve always wanted
- Hire a company for set-up and take-down
With the savings you will have by choosing a micro-wedding, you’ll be able to do the things which genuinely matter to you and your partner.
A micro wedding gives you the freedom to focus on the elements that matter most to you as a couple without feeling bad about it.
#3: More Intimate
How many weddings have you attended and barely interacted with the newlyweds?
The couple is not at fault; there are just too many people to see and not enough time to see them. Often, if the bride and groom get a chance to speak with you, it’s only for a moment.
There is something magical about a micro-wedding.
It is a perfect compromise between a full-blown wedding and an elopement. It allows you to invite the people who mean the most and not feel guilty about extending your guest list too far.
Rather than being pulled in different directions by well-meaning relatives, you and your loved one can enjoy the evening with those you love.
You will be able to be present with your guests and have a genuine, authentic experience with them.
#4: Experiences That Are Unique
Micro-weddings often allow you to provide guests with entertainment that differs from the norm. Your entertainment can be tailored to your particular tastes.
Here are a few unique ideas for a memorable micro-wedding:
Perhaps you and your friends are wine enthusiasts, and you would like to organize a wine tasting for your guests.
Maybe you have a specific type of music you’d love everyone to dance to on your wedding day.
Do you and your loved one enjoy bistro-style performances? Think acoustic artists, comedians, etc. The chances are that your friends and family have never seen such a performance at a wedding before.
Are you and your loved-one artsy? A live portrait artist, or a haiku artist, would offer unique but artistic entertainment.
Micro-weddings can offer anything your heart desires.
Julian Ribinik Photography: Skilled and Professional Photography For Your Micro-Wedding in NYC
Are you planning a New York City micro-wedding? Are you trying to find a wedding photographer with experience shooting micro-weddings?
Julian Ribinik is the top wedding photographer in New York City. Our customer service is unmatched, and we pay meticulous attention to every detail.
Our goal is to make your wedding day as memorable as possible — regardless of size.
With the perfect angle and lighting, we will capture every moment of your wedding day, no matter where it takes place.
Choosing Julian Ribinik Photography ensures that your memories will last for generations.
Let’s discuss what we can do to make your wedding day even more perfect.
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