Elopement vs. Micro Wedding vs. Traditional Wedding: Which Is Right for You?
You’re Engaged—Now What?
It’s time to Plan. But with so many options, where do you even start? Do you envision a wildly large and grand wedding surrounded by family and friends, or do you crave something a little more intimate and personal? Maybe you’re leaning toward a micro wedding, that breaks from tradition just enough and celebrating with a handful of loved ones. Or are you considering an adventurous elopement and saying your vows in a stunning destination? With so many possibilities, how do you decide what’s best for you?!
Let’s breakdown the key differences between an elopement, micro wedding, and traditional wedding, with some helpful questions to guide you in choosing the style of celebration that best suits you + your partner.
1. The Budget
Budget is an important factor to consider when choosing between a traditional wedding, micro wedding, or elopement. While a traditional wedding can be a larger investment—with cost of the venue, guest list size, decor, catering, and entertainment—Elopements and micro weddings are generally more affordable alternatives, but that doesn’t mean they come without their own unique set of costs. Elopements tend to focus spending on experiences and photography, while micro weddings can still include elements a larger wedding may have, such as a reception or special venue, but with fewer guests.
What’s important is flexibility. Many vendors offer payment plans, which can help you spread out your investment in installments. This gives you more room to make any celebration, no matter the budget, possible.
Ask yourself:
How much do we want to spend on our wedding day?
Where would we like to allocate our budget the most?
Would we prefer to spend more on an intimate experience and the vendors we truly care about?
Or do we want a community experience that caters to hospitality, with a larger budget?
2. The Scale of Your Celebration
Got your budget? Okay, next. One of the most significant differences between these celebration options is the size of the event. A traditional wedding typically involves a large guest list, multiple vendors, and a more complex planning process. While elopements, on the other hand, are intimate affairs with just the couple; or a few loved ones, and Micro weddings offer a middle ground. Typically including no more than 30-40 guests. A micro wedding is a wedding-style event that’s smaller in scale but still keeps elements like a ceremony, reception, and vendors in a more compact, simplified format.
Ask yourself:
Do I want a huge celebration surrounded by family and friends? With a full day timeline of getting ready, ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, reception, ect.
Or do I prefer something intimate and private that focus on our experience as a couple?
Am I open to the idea of a smaller event that still feels a bit like a traditional wedding but with fewer guests?
Which of these celebration styles feels most authentic to me and my partner?
3. The Level of Personalization
Traditional weddings often come with more established expectations and formalities, from the venue to the guest list and the ceremony itself. If you’re looking for complete freedom to design your day exactly as you envision it, an elopement or micro wedding may offer more room to break from tradition. Elopements are completely customizable, often taking place in beautiful outdoor locations, while micro weddings provide a more traditional feel in a small, personal setting.
Ask yourself:
How much freedom do I want to have in curating our day?
Do I want to break away from tradition, or am I comfortable with certain traditional elements, if so which elements matter most to me?
Would I prefer a completely unique, personalized experience in a once in a lifetime location?
How much of the logistical planning am I prepared to be apart of?
Am I open to hiring a team of trusted vendors or do I feel more comfortable with prioritizing vendors who matter most to my vision?
4. The Experience You Want to Have
Micro weddings give you the chance to celebrate with your closest loved ones while still feeling intimate and relaxed crating a cool middle ground between something that feels grand yet authentic. Traditional weddings offer an action-packed day filled with a full ceremony, speeches, dancing, dinner and spending time with a large group of people. If you value the full wedding-day experience, a traditional wedding might feel like the best choice. While, elopements focus on meaningful moments between the couple, that are centered around their priorities and love story.
Ask yourself:
How do I want to feel on our wedding day?
Surrounded by family and friends with lots of events to enjoy, or relaxed and focused on intimate moments or experiences?
Am I looking for a day with a full timeline or a more serene experience that focuses on just us?
Would I like to have a smaller guest list that still feels like a celebration, allowing us to connect more deeply with each person?
Am I drawn to a wedding style that keeps some traditional elements but is in an extraordinary location?
5. The Adventure Factor
Elopements often have an adventurous element, especially if you’re considering a destination wedding or an outdoor ceremony. You can marry on a mountaintop, by the ocean, or in a secluded forest, embracing an adventure that’s unique to your relationship. Micro weddings offer more traditional settings but can still include elements of adventure or unique experiences, such as getting married in a stunning location or having a special, intimate activity. Traditional weddings, though exciting, are typically less adventurous in terms of location or format, unless you opt for a Destination Wedding its all about asking yourself the right questions to help you decide.
Ask yourself:
Do we want to have an adventurous, off-the-beaten-path wedding experience, or do we feel more comfortable with a structured, traditional event?
Would we enjoy a smaller-scale, more personal wedding experience with an adventurous twist, or are we looking for the full, traditional experience with a more local setting?
Is it on the table for us to have a grand wedding in a unique location like Italy or Dominican Republic?
What location feels authentic to who we are and the celebration we want to have?
6. The Long-Term Vision
When you look back on your wedding day, what kind of memories do you want to have—and how do you want to relive those moments through your photos? A traditional wedding day is full of family, friends, excitement and cherished moments surrounded by loved ones. An elopement, on the other hand, focuses on the two of you creatively, capturing intimate or adventurous moments in breathtaking settings. Micro weddings provide the best of both worlds, blending the essence of a traditional wedding with the intimacy and personal feel of a smaller gathering.
Ask yourself:
How do I want to look back on our wedding day—surrounded by loved ones with lots of events, or in a quiet moment with just us?
Would I enjoy the energy of a full celebration, or would I prefer something more intimate that focuses on personal connection?
How important is it to me to have my wedding day captured in a way that tells a unique, meaningful story through photography?
Do I want a wedding day where every moment is documented with close family and friends?
Or would I rather focus on intimate, candid moments between my partner and I?
What kind of images do I want to cherish in the years to come—grand, celebratory photos with a large group, or serene, meaningful shots that capture the essence of our relationship?
Final Thoughts
So what feels best for you an elopement, micro wedding, or traditional wedding? Soulfire Stories Photography is here to visually narrate your story of whichever journey you choose and the most important thing is that your day reflects you and your partner’s values and vision. Get excited about the things you can control and let go of what you can’t like…
Trying Please Everyone Else: This is your day, and not everyone will agree with your choice. Focus on what makes you and your partner happiest.
Matching Someone Else’s Wedding: Your love story is unique, your celebration should be too. Don’t stress about replicating a wedding you’ve seen online or attended.
Worrying About Traditions: There’s no rulebook! Whether you want to skip the bouquet toss or have a first look in your PJs, let go of any pressure to conform.
Guest List Guilt: It’s impossible to include everyone. Whether it’s an intimate elopement or a larger gathering, prioritize those who genuinely add joy to your big day.
Perfectionism Over Details: Small things, like the exact shade of your flowers or the silverware setting, won’t make or break your day. The love you’re celebrating will always shine brighter.
Budget Comparisons: Your budget doesn’t define the magic of your wedding. Focus on what matters most to you, and let go of any pressure to spend beyond your budget and comfort zone.
Fear of Missing Out: Whether it’s the energy of a big party or the intimacy of a private moment, each choice has its own beauty. Whatever you pick, it will be a memory you share for a lifetime with your partner.
I hope this guide has helped you and I can’t wait to get planning!
