Tips for Your Micro Wedding

 

Since 2020, the wedding planning process has changed significantly from here on out. I’m here to share some good news, and give you the tips that I’ve learned throughout it all.

Who am I? My name is Wes Jerdon and I’ve been a wedding photographer since 2012 in the local South Bend, Notre Dame and Michiana area.

 

I’ve been working with my couples since the start of the 2020  to re-plan their weddings. Along the way, I’ve learned a number of things. To each their own and there’s no wrong way of doing this, but here’s a few tips.

 

1. SMALLER IS BETTER

 

For the past number of years, I’ve watched wedding guest counts (and price tags!) get really out of hand when planning. In my experience, this is usually due to family pressure. At some point, a lot of my couples have started to feel like it’s not even their wedding any longer. That they’re along for the ride.

 

You now have full control over the guest list. You get to invite the most important people in your life to be there, and you actually have time to be with them.

 

 

2. YOU GET TO SPEND TIME WITH EVERYONE THERE

 

Most of the time, it’s really hard for a couple to get to see every single person at their wedding. With a more intimate wedding, you can do just that. With a smaller wedding, you can now spend time with everyone you’ve invited.

 

3. COST, OR SHALL WE SAY, “SAVINGS”!

 

Couples this year are saving so much money on weddings and now you can spend the money you save in other places. Really make it yours and exactly how you want it. What is something you would think of as “perfect”. Do that!

 

With all the savings you’re able to do, you could plan to have ask your favorite place if they’d let you take over the place, rent a beautiful home or Manor for you and your close guests, maybe even somewhere tropical? Totally up to you!

 

4. YOU CAN NOW GET MARRIED ANYWHERE

 

This is one of the most exciting things with micro weddings – you can get married anywhere.

You no longer have to look for huge hall to accommodate a certain guest count, while also meeting the budget.

 

At this point, get creative. Place in the mountains, Las Vegas,or even your favorite restaurant, since the guest count it lower.

 

5. BETTER WEDDING PHOTOS

As a wedding photographer, this is the most exciting part of micro weddings for me.

Weddings have become much simpler overall. Which means, less stress for you on the day. No problems to troubleshoot, you just get to enjoy the day.

 

This lack of stress on the wedding day, really comes through in the photos.

We have all the time we need for photos, and we’re in control of the time of day we take them. At a traditional wedding, the photo session just kind of fits wherever it fits – which means non-ideal lighting conditions where you might not look your best.

Micro weddings, we can schedule at the best time of day for photos.

To add to that, you can now use the budget you saved to spend a little more on the details you’d really like to have.

 

SO HOW DO YOU PLAN THE BEST MICRO WEDDING?

My suggestions:

GET MARRIED ANYWHERE YOU DESIRE!!!

Seriously, there are no rules to where you have to have your ceremony. Every park, businesses, venue, and location really are going to go the extra mile to help make things better and easier for you too.

 

Spend some of the money you’re saving on bringing in great vendors. With the budget no longer having to be divided amongst several hundred guests. You get to take that budget and put it towards what you want, this will give you an excuse to have exactly the perfect wedding vendors you would want for your dream wedding.

Reception can be almost anywhere.

Since the guest count is going to be pretty limited, this will open up a ton of options for you to be able to setup your small reception. After “the year that shall not be named” most places are familiar with smaller and more customized setups for your more intimate wedding. Get creative and have fun.

With smaller guest counts, it’s now possible to set up a small reception wherever you’d like. Again, whatever your dream location is for this, this is probably the only year that it will be possible to do.

HOW TO GET THE BEST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHS:

Schedule your ceremony when it’s good for photos. 2 hours before sunset will give us the best light for photos.

Hire a photographer for 3-5 hours. That will cover a little of the getting ready, the ceremony, portraits of the two of you and pictures of the people you love. Then, after the ceremony and portraits, we can capture all the real moments of you and your guests enjoying the evening. Those moments matter, you matter. ?

 

My photography is primarily candid with a few prompted portraits. We may even create some beautiful pieces of artwork. I like to do something like 90% candid, 10% posed.

Safety in this time is a priority everyone. I will respect all current local rules.

 

If you’re interested in working together, please send me a note in the contact form below, and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

Thanks for reading and if you have any other questions, feel free to reach out!