How Much Does a Micro Wedding Cost?
Working on building your micro-wedding budget? Wondering what you can expect? This blog post is a great place to start!
As the popularity of micro-weddings continues to grow, we’ve had countless conversations with couples about why they’ve chosen this route for their wedding day. As a micro-wedding planning and photo team, one of the first questions we ask when someone inquires with us is simple:
What led you here?
Across the board, the answer is pretty consistent: cost overwhelm in the early stages of wedding planning. And we get it, truly! The idea of spending tens of thousands of dollars on a single day can be a lot to conceptualize, especially as you are just starting to build the bones of your vision.
Many couples then look to micro-weddings as a way to relieve some of this stress. But there’s one assumption we hear often that as a planner, I feel the need to address.
The guest count myth.
A common belief we see is that if you cut your guest list in half, the cost of your wedding will follow suit. It’s an easy conclusion to draw, and not the easiest pill to swallow when you learn that it’s a bit more nuanced than that.
While micro-weddings can be, and often are, less expensive than a traditional wedding, the truth is that some components of your wedding budget remain consistent whether you have 30 guests or 300.
So what does it actually look like to invest in a micro-wedding?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, this guide is here to help you understand how to build a budget that reflects your priorities, feels attainable, and sets realistic expectations along the way.
A micro-wedding budget isn’t about cutting corners or doing things “for cheap.” It’s about reallocating resources. Instead of spreading your investment across a large guest count, you’re choosing to invest more deeply in the experience itself — the setting, the vibe of the day, the food you linger over, and the moments you and your guests will look back on for years to come.
When you build your micro-wedding budget, think less about removing — and more about what you’re intentionally choosing to include.
What is a Micro-Wedding?
Definitions vary, but for the purposes of this conversation, we define a micro-wedding as a celebration with approximately 10–50 guests. It lives in the space between an elopement and a traditional wedding: intimate by design, yet intentionally structured.
Generally speaking, a micro-wedding involves some form of venue and a greater level of vendor support than an elopement would. While it doesn’t need to follow a traditional wedding timeline, we often see a similar flow: a meaningful ceremony followed by a shared celebration.
Comparison to Traditional Wedding
The projected average cost for a traditional wedding in 2026 nationally is $36,000 (according to Zola). The actual cost ranges significantly depending on where in the country you are located and guest count, amongst other factors. It is not uncommon for traditional weddings to cost upwards of $50k, or even $100k!
When looking at the higher end of the spectrum for these costs, there is no question that a micro-wedding can cost significantly less. However, it is important to remember that certain vendors jobs remain consistent despite guest count:
Take the following:
Your DJ is still setting the vibe for the duration of your celebration.
Your hair and makeup artist is investing the same materials and time into your bridal look.
Your officiant is still putting the same care into crafting your ceremony.
Your photographer is capturing the same amount of photos every hour.
Your planner is still coordinating vendors, timelines, and logistics from start to finish.
Your bartender and catering team are still delivering the same level of service and quality.
Your furniture rentals are still traveling the same distance to arrive at your venue.
These are experience-based services, not per-person ones. Understanding this upfront can help you navigate vendor pricing with more clarity and fewer surprises.
However, that is not to say you won’t see a cost difference in any category. What you can expect to cut back on for micro-wedding costs are:
Fewer meals to serve.
Fewer servers & cooks needed for dinner.
Fewer bartenders (and less alcohol) needed to keep the bar running.
Fewer tables, chairs, and other rentals to accommodate your guests.
Access to smaller venues with lower costs, or smaller packages at more traditional venues.
Less florals & decor needed to fill the space.
Ultimately, if the reason you are choosing a micro-wedding is for a lower price tag, figuring out your priorities and budgeting accordingly is the way to go!
Identifying Your Priorities
Before thinking about numbers, spreadsheets, or vendor outreach, I always encourage couples to slow down and talk. Not about what your wedding should look like, but about what you actually want the day to feel like.
Set aside some uninterrupted time with your partner and start with the big picture. A few questions to guide the conversation:
What is the very first thing that comes to mind when you imagine your wedding day?
What do you want the energy of your ceremony to feel like?
What do you want the celebration that follows to feel like?
What kind of setting are you picturing?
How do you want your guests to feel while they’re there?
And just as importantly, how do you want to feel?
I recommend jotting down notes as you talk. Often, the most helpful insights come not from the answers themselves, but from the conversations they spark.
Another exercise we love during this stage is a simple “this or that” comparison.
When you look at the components of a wedding side by side, it becomes easier to understand what you value most.
For example:
Would you rather invest in a beautifully curated meal — or have an experienced coordinator ensuring dinner flows seamlessly?
Is it more important to have a visually striking ceremony setting — or a celebration that keeps the energy high well into the night?
You may find that some elements feel equally important, and that’s okay! Continue comparing them against other parts of the day until a clear hierarchy begins to form.
Eventually, you’ll want to create a priority list, from highest to lowest, pairing each one with the vendor or category that supports it. This becomes an excellent point of reference as you move into venue selection and vendor outreach.
For example, if you determine your priorities are the look of where your wedding is set, the food that you serve, and the personalization of your ceremony, but you don’t care much for the music that is being played or the flowers on the tables, than your vendor priorities look like:
Venue
Catering
Officiant
DJ or live music
Florals
This doesn’t mean you’ll spend the most on your top priority and the least on your last. What it does mean is that your decisions will feel clearer, your expectations more aligned, and your budget far more intentional.
And in our experience, that clarity makes the entire planning process feel easier.
Venues & Your Budget
There are no shortage of venues that can accommodate your micro-wedding! From land trusts and public pavillions, to vacation rentals and lodges, to ski resorts and traditional venues, the options are abundant. It is important first and foremost to have a clear idea of what your vision for your venue is, and a general idea of where you would like your venue to be.
Budget Considerations for Your Venue
When evaluating venues, one of the most important steps is identifying what is included in the price tag. A $15k venue may initially feel like more than you are wanting to spend, but ultimately may end up being the same investment as the $5k venue that has much less included in the rental cost. Things like furniture rentals, linens and dinnerware, staffing, a bar, etc are great things to look for when selecting a venue to fit your budget.
Vacation Rental Weddings
As a planner, I highly recommend a vacation rental wedding! They offer a great blank canvas for your micro-wedding, and we love how easily you can structure your wedding day timeline to be everything you want it to be and nothing that you don’t. From a budgeting perspective, vacation rentals can be appealing because they naturally combine two major line items: venue and lodging. Rather than paying separately for a venue rental and accommodations, you’re often able to both host your wedding, and stay onsite with your closest people. For many couples, this not only simplifies logistics but also creates a more intimate, shared experience that extends beyond a single day!
I am also seeing many vacation rentals begin to dive in to the micro-wedding scene, investing in things like additional tables & seating, and being open and willing to work with you to accommodate your desires for their space. For example, a vacation rental that we recently worked with allowed our couple to entirely rearrange the furniture in the space to accommodate an indoor ceremony to keep us out of the snow, and also had a full storage room of tables, chairs, and surplus decor items that they provided us unlimited access to! A different vacation rental from a fall micro-wedding had a stock of tables and chairs and large wedding tents that they provided access to and set-up/tear-down of for significantly cheaper than industry price.
I do highly recommend if you follow this route to invest in a planner with day-of-coordination services. Without having a venue staff, I promise they will be worth their weight in gold!
Selecting Your Venue
If you are unsure of what you want your venue experience to be, or want to evaluate all options within your budget, I recommend reaching out to a wide range of venues to gather their pricing information and offerings. You also do not need to have a venue solidified to find your planner! We are pros in venue selection and can offer you plenty of guidance in this process.
Budgeting For Your Vendors
Once you have identified your priorities and have an idea of which vendors you are interested in utilizing for your micro-wedding, it is time to dive into the research phase! If you haven't already, solidify your wedding planning service (I recommend utilizing a wedding planner who specializes in micro-weddings). Your micro-wedding planner will help you to navigate the rest of the vendor research process, making your job much easier!
Also, it is important to note that there are absolutely no requirements regarding what you need to have at your micro-wedding. There are certainly some expectations from a guest perspective, the key one being that there is some kind of food available during the event. But, you do not need to feel obligated to utilize a vendor just because they exist. Let your priorities inform which vendor services you are choosing to utilize. Like I said earlier, think about building your experience, rather than removing things from it.
How to Find Your Vendors
Vendor research can quickly turn into an endless Google rabbit hole, but it doesn’t have to. One of the most valuable tools you can lean on is your planner. Many planners offer either a thoughtfully curated vendor guide (I build mine specifically for each client, based on their priorities, needs, and who is available on their date) or a trusted list of local recommendations. Your venue may also provide a preferred vendor list. If they don’t, browsing the websites of similar venues in the area can still offer helpful leads.
If you’re expanding your search on your own, Google can absolutely be useful. Just be specific! Searching something like “farm-to-table micro-wedding catering in Boulder, CO” will surface vendors far more aligned with your vision than a broad search like “wedding catering Boulder.” No matter the vendor, take time to read reviews and look for consistency in experience, communication, and professionalism.
For vendors you’ll spend the most time with, like your photographer and planner, don’t rush the process. Schedule calls, ask questions, and take time to connect. When every guest at your wedding is intentionally chosen, your key vendors should be too. They’re not just there to provide a service; they’re part of the energy of your day. The right fit will feel supportive, grounding, and genuinely good to be around.
Vendors to Consider & Associated Costs
As previously mentioned, your micro-wedding does not have to follow any specific structure, and therefore doesn’t require you to book any specific vendors. This section is meant to inform what you can expect when looking for vendors that I frequently see couples use.
Think of this as a menu, not a checklist. Some couples will prioritize just a handful of vendors; others will build a more layered experience. There is no incorrect approach!
Planning & Coordination
Even the most intimate weddings benefit from a planner or coordinator, especially when logistics extend beyond a traditional venue.
Common options include:
Full-service planning
Partial planning
Month-of or day-of coordination
Typical investment: $2k-$5k+- varies based on type of service and experience level of planner
A planner helps ensure your day feels effortless—not overly managed.
Photography
Photography is often the highest investment for micro-weddings, and for good reason. Your photographer is with you for the most intimate moments of the day and plays a major role in shaping the experience.
Typical investment: $3k-$7k+, varies based on package length and level of experience
Investing in an experienced photographer is essential to both the quality of your wedding day experience and the way you will reflect on the day for your lifetime together.
Catering
Micro-weddings allow for a wide range of food experiences, from elevated catering to casual, shared meals. We’ve seen everything from multi-course plated meals, to pizza trucks, to taco bars picked up from a local joint. Because of this, it is difficult to pinpoint a typical investment.
Common options:
Full-service catering ($$$)
Private chef ($$$$)
Family-style or grazing tables ($$)
Pick-up catering from a local restaurant ($)
Because many caterers operate on minimums, fewer guests doesn’t always mean a lower overall cost—but it can allow for higher-quality ingredients or more personalized menus.
Other costs to consider include travel fees, staffing costs and gratuity.
Hair & Makeup
If you are not confident in your abilities to do your own hair and makeup for your micro-wedding, I recommend this investment so you can feel fully confident and beautiful for the entirety of your day.
HMU artists often have service minimums, especially if you are looking for a weekend or peak season date.
Typical Investment: $250-$500/ per bridal service, $200-$300 per attendant service
Other costs to consider include travel fees and gratuity.
Officiant
If you would like to invest in an officiant service, consider how personalized you would like the ceremony to be. Many of the higher-end officiants have carefully curated processes to get to know you and your partner and build a ceremony that is uniquely you.
Typical Investment: $600-900+
DJ
If you’re looking to curate a dance party vibe, or even just keep the energy flowing without having to worry about curating a playlist, a DJ can be a great investment! It is imperative to choose a DJ who fits your vision, as they will be a heavy influence on the overall feeling of celebration.
Typical Investment: $1200-$2500+
Other Vendor Options
Some other vendors we have seen include videographers, content creators, live musicians, bakeries, florists, and decor & furniture rentals.
Sample Budgets
Here are a couple of budget breakdowns aligned with micro-wedding budget I frequently work with.
The $20k Budget (for 25 guests)
Vacation Rental Venue Cost: $6k for 3 nights
Catering Cost: $3k
Officiant: $750
Hair & Makeup: $1500
Furniture Rental: $550 (including delivery)
Dessert: $150
Florals: $750 (DIY+Purchased bouquet)
Additional decor: $300
The $30k Budget (for 40 guests)
Venue Cost: $8k (includes tables and seating)
Catering Cost: $5k
Officiant: $800
Hair & Makeup: $1500
DJ: $1600
Accommodation: $1600 (for 3 nights)
Florals: $1200 (faux arrangements, custom bouquet)
Decor: $400
Dessert: $400
Alcohol & Permit: $1100
Low-Budget Micro-Wedding Tips
Looking for ways to cut back on costs, without dulling your micro-wedding experience? Here are some of my favorite tips that I recommend to my couples!
DIY Florals
If florals are not a huge priority for you, avoiding the floral minimums that many florists have is a great way to cut some costs down. Some options here include:
Ordering or purchasing bulk flowers to arrange yourself.
Curating combinations of faux florals from companies like Ling’s Moment, or from artists on Etsy.
Wandering around your local craft store with your partner, selecting the faux flowers you like most.
Having a “flower arranging” party the day before your wedding! Put one your favorite tunes, order some pizza, and invite your people to come help you fill bud vases and arrangements of flowers you’ve purchased from the local Trader Joe’s.
Finding a florist that has an a la carte option, so you can pick and choose which pieces you would like without needing to meet a minimum.
These approaches can be super fun, and add to the experience of your day! I do highly recommend that if you are choosing to build your own bouquet, that you knock out a few practice runs before the wedding!
Curating Playlists
If it is not a priority to you to have a DJ-led dance party, work together to build the perfect playlist for your micro-wedding! I recommend creating different playlists for different points of the day. Some examples include:
Your pre-ceremony and ceremony playlist for soft and romantic- vibes.
Your post-ceremony & dinner playlist for easy-listening and background tunes.
Your celebration playlist for keeping the vibes high.
This is a fun date night task, or something you can begin building on early in the planning process. Whenever you hear a song that fits, just add it to the list! It can also be fun to give some of your closest people access to add their faves as well!
On your micro-wedding day, make sure you have a device dedicated specifically to playing music. You won’t want to worry about having your phone unavailable all day. It is also important to designate the task of handling the music to a specific person. I often offer my services to keep the playlists on track as your day-of-coordinator.
Ask Someone Close to You to Officiate
Remove the cost of an outside officiant by asking someone you trust to facilitate your ceremony! It is important to check your state laws to ensure that an online-ordination is enough to validate your marriage license.
Some professional officiants offer officiating assistance services. If you want to provide your selected officiant with quality advice, this is a great option!
Some tips here: make sure you are selecting someone who you trust to write a strong ceremony, align with your preferences and choices, and not get too emotional during the ceremony.
Curate Your Decor Intentionally
Decor can be multi-use! Find pieces that can move between the different spaces you spend your day. Be intentional about what you are choosing, and have an idea of where it is going before you purchase it.
Everything does not need to be purchased new! Hit up your local thrift stores, or you can find many people reselling their wedding decor on platforms like Facebook Marketplace.
Choose Meaningful Keepsakes over Favors
A handwritten note at everyone’s seat will mean more to your people than a bottle opener with your wedding date inscribed on it ever will! You intentionally selected everyone present, which means what your gift to them can be a lot more personalized.
Select Your Date Wisely
Consider opting for a weekday! With less guests to coordinate, and a closer relationship with each one, it is more than likely the bulk of your people would be willing to attend your weekday wedding. Venue costs can be thousands cheaper for Mondays-Thursdays. You are also more likely to find flexibility with vendors on their service minimums. A larger variety of venue and vendor options will likely be available to you, making it easier to select vendors in your budget.
At the end of the day, a micro-wedding isn’t defined by how much you spend, but by how intentionally you spend it. When you understand your options, clarify your priorities, and choose vendors who truly align with your vision, your wedding day becomes less about managing a budget and more about being present for the moments that matter most. There is no single “right” way to plan a micro-wedding—only the way that feels most like you.
Planning a Micro-Wedding?
Hi, we’re Becca and Hannah! Your micro- wedding Photography and Planning Team!
We’re more than just the vendors setting up table decor and shooting posed portraits after your ceremony.
We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting!
Micro wedding planning is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
2-Day Crested Butte Micro Wedding at Peanut Lake
Discover how a 2-day micro wedding let this adventurous couple have it all: a meaningful ceremony with 30 loved ones at Peanut Lake, followed by an epic day of wildflowers, jeep adventures, and golden hour photos across Crested Butte's stunning alpine landscapes.
Nicole and Matt first approached us in the Fall of 2024 to plan their adventurous elopement for May of 2025. Originally, they had planned a big wedding back in Texas, where they live, for Memorial Day weekend of 2025, but as they started putting down deposits and making all of the arrangements for this large event, they quickly realized that it wasn’t resonating with who they both are and their priorities for their wedding experience.
These two are born adventurers who love being outside together exploring! They quickly realized that the big wedding scene wasn’t for them, and that’s when they reached out to us!
On our first consultation call, we became fast friends as we discussed their hopes & dreams for this intimate experience with their close friends and family members tucked away in the mountains of Crested Butte. We decided that summer, July specifically, was going to be the best time of year for wildflowers, and all of the things they wanted.
We all left that call feeling super excited and aligned with the vision of an adventurous day full of stunning vistas, sweet family moments, and time for the two of them to truly soak in the entire experience!
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to have a unique and adventurous experience without burdening your guests or leaving them out all together, Nicole and Matt’s story is a perfect one for you! Keep reading to hear more about their 2-Day experience in Crested Butte during peak wildflower season!
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If you’re planning a micro wedding in Colorado and need inspiration, we also recommend checking out these guides & stories!
Their priorities for their Crested Butte wedding experience
Since they decided to pivot their plans from a big wedding, Nicole and Matt were very clear on their priorities for this smaller, elopement experience. Here are some things that were really important to incorporate:
Epic mountain views & a new place – Both Nicole and Matt were interested in Crested Butte for their elopement because it was a new place for both of them! Matt grew up in Colorado and had explored much of the state, so it was important that they found a place, like Crested Butte, that was new and exciting.
Wildflowers - Nicole was sooo excited about wildflowers. She knew that Crested Butte was known for wildflowers and wanted to incorporate these stunning blooms into as much of the day as possible. Her bouquet was even made of local wildflowers, and it turned out absolutely gorgeous!
Adventure - They also knew that they were up to an adventure! They love fly fishing, camping, and hiking. One of their goals as a couple is to hike all the hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, so it made sense to them to include adventurous activities into their elopement days. Crested Butte ended up being a great spot for them because there were tons of hiking options, and 4x4 trails for amazing adventures. They also extended their trip so they could have a honeymoon adventure too with lots of hiking, camping, and fly fishing!
Why a 2-Day Experience worked for them
As we chatted more about their priorities, we quickly realized that a 2-Day experience would be a perfect fit for their vision and overall vibes. Although they wanted to elope and get epic photos in the mountains together on a hike or more rugged adventure, both Nicole and Matt couldn’t imagine their wedding without including some really close friends and family members.
A two-day experience allowed them to have both experiences without making any sacrifices.
Day 1 - was all about getting married and embracing time with their loved ones. The location was still epic and beautiful, but we kept it close to town so it was easier for guests to access, and we didn’t require any of their guests to hike or take a sketchy 4x4 road to get to their ceremony site.
Day 2 - was all about exploring epic spots, adventuring, and beautiful photos with incredible sunset lighting. We spent the whole afternoon and evening exploring epic locations around Crested Butte, giving them ample time together as just the two of them to soak in their first day as a married couple.
Both Nicole and Matt loved this 2-day setup because they valued the photography side of this experience and wanted to maximize the golden hour lighting as much as possible. By spreading the event across two days, they also didn’t feel rushed or pressured in the slightest because they had plenty of time to connect with their people, prepare for the days, and live in the moment. It was truly the best of both worlds for them, and the exact opposite vibes of what they had originally planned in Texas with their big wedding.
How we helped and pivoted their experience one-week before
We were involved in helping plan their elopement from the very beginning, offering location recommendations in Crested Butte and local vendors, but the true defining moment of the planning process was when their guest count doubled in size the week before their elopement.
Originally, they had envisioned about 15 people coming, and so we had planned the ceremony on public lands. One week before their elopement, Matt called me to say that all 30 people they had invited as a courtesy ended up RSVPing “yes” without them realizing it! So, we needed to pivot fast. Here’s what we had to figure out:
Ceremony site: The biggest concern was where to have the ceremony. Because there were far too many people for public lands, we needed to find something that was still available, reservable, reasonably priced, and could accommodate the group size. This proved to be quite tricky.
After a lot of hunting and weighing the few options I found for them, Nicole and Matt ended up settling on Peanut Lake for their ceremony site. This site is a reservable piece of land through Crested Butte Land Trust that allows events up to 100 people. The spot was thankfully still available for their date, and was super easy to book and confirm, even at the last minute. It ended up being perfect for them, and a great pivot that allowed for them to spend even more quality time with their guests that day than we had originally planned.Timeline Adjustments: We also had to make some major changes to their timeline due to the ceremony site changes, and group size increase. Instead of opting for more portraits after the ceremony as originally planned, we decided it made more sense for Matt and Nicole to stay with their guests, and lengthened the amount of time we adventured the next day. This change ensured that we had ample time to get all of the sunset, adventurous portraits that Nicole and Matt wanted for their final gallery.
Highlights of their 2-days in Crested Butte
There were so many great moments during Nicole and Matt’s 2 days in Crested Butte, but some of my favorites were:
Their emotional first look: These two love each other so much, and it showed when Matt first saw Nicole in her wedding attire. I was tearing up, it was so sweet and special!
Private, Lakeside Vows: Although their family and friends were present for the ceremony, Nicole and Matt wanted to ensure they had private time on their wedding day to share their vows together. Peanut Lake was a beautiful backdrop for this after everyone headed to their reception site.
An epic jeep ride to a stunning sunset location: Day 2 was all about the adventure, so Nicole, Matt and I loaded into their rented jeep and explored Crested Butte stopping at multiple locations along the way. The sunset we experienced was magical, and we barely saw anyone during our time in the high alpine. It was truly surreal, and so fun!
Blue Hour Lantern Photos: To end their 2-Day experience, we stayed out past sunset for blue hour photos with lanterns. This was something Nicole had dreamed about since she started planning their elopement, and it did not disappoint. Between their cowboy hats, the lanterns, and the stunning moon, we were all giddy with excitement and gratitude about the experience and how perfect it turned out.
Conclusion
Nicole and Matt’s 2-day experience in Crested Butte was amazing and full of adventure. Although there were some last minute pivots, it all worked out in the best way possible, and still kept their original vision intact. I’ll never forget how happy we all were on top of that mountain at the end of their second day, and I feel so lucky to call these two friends, not just past clients.
Hopefully you found the story of their elopement experience both helpful and inspiring! If you're looking for help to plan your own small wedding in Crested Butte, we'd love to chat with you to see how we can support you!
Crested Butte Micro Wedding Photos
Keep scrolling to see Nicole and Matt's micro wedding gallery at Peanut Lake and around Crested Butte!
Vendors:
Photo/Planning Help: Trail Magic Elopements
Ceremony Site: Peanut Lake, Crested Butte Land Trust
Florals: Sundrop Floral Design
Cake: Cake Crumbs Bakery
Reception Site: José Crested Butte
Planning your own Crested Butte Micro Wedding and need help?
Hi, we’re Becca and Hannah! A Colorado wedding Photographer and Planner!
We’re more than just the vendors setting up table decor and shooting posed portraits after your ceremony.
We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting!
Micro wedding planning is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
Granby Ranch Small Wedding in the Summer
Looking for small wedding inspiration in Colorado? See how Paige and Britt planned their dream micro wedding for 30 guests at Granby Ranch with full-service planning, 8-hour photography coverage, and unique touches like lawn games and a ski lift entrance—all while keeping the process completely stress-free
Paige and Britt approached us in January with a dream to get married with incredible mountain views in Colorado in July. They have the sweetest love story, and fond memories of exploring Colorado together and the Grand Canyon early in their relationship. From our first consultation call, we clicked immediately due to our shared love of national parks, hiking and beautiful views, and board games. I knew this was going to be a really fun and special day.
Flash forward to July – their wedding day was so sentimental and memorable. Nestled in the mountains of Granby, near the Grand Lake side of Rocky Mountain National Park, they shared their vows with stunning views of the national forest, and got to celebrate with about 30 guest in total, a cluster of their families and closest friends. It was exactly what they had envisioned back in January on our first call!
If you're looking for inspiration for your own small wedding in Colorado, Paige and Britt's day is a perfect example of mixing time as a couple, and intentional time with family. Keep reading to learn more about their priorities, and how we helped take all the planning logistics off their plate for a stress-free experience!
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If you’re planning a micro wedding in Colorado and need inspiration, we recommend checking out these guides & stories!
Priorities for their small wedding
All of Paige and Britt's priorities for their small wedding were related to the overall experience of the day. They wanted to keep things simple and beautiful, so that their guests could relax, but also have a cool travel experience in a new place!
A small guest list: Neither of them were looking for an extravagant day, so they knew they wanted to keep the guest list to less than 30 people. It ended up being the perfect size to keep the experience intimate, without missing out on inviting any of their most important friends and family.
Very relaxed flow: They wanted to keep things sentimental and casual so the pressure wasn't placed on them to perform. Instead of a traditional DJ and dance floor, they loved the idea of playing lawn games with their friends and kids, and board games later into the night. It was important to them that the food was quality, because they both enjoy eating at new restaurants and cooking yummy meals together at home.
A low-stress planning process: Finally, as super busy professionals, both Paige and Britt wanted to keep the vibe of the event and the planning process as stress-free and intentional as possible. They didn't have excess time to plan and work through logistics, so they leaned on us to do most of the heavy lifting, which is exactly what we're here for!
How we helped them with their priorities
Full-Service Planning:
Since they are both so busy raising kids, and live in different cities, they opted for a full-service planning experience with Becca, the planner on our team so they could step back and keep the planning process super simple. She took their vision from our first kick-off call and ran with it to find them the perfect venue and vendor options that fit within their priorities.
Because they were so busy, Becca didn't need to have many planning calls with them, but utilized questionnaires and guides with personalized recommendations and links to ensure that the process was seamless on their end.
Day of Coordination:
They also included day-of-coordination services from Becca to keep everything streamlined the day of the wedding. Granby Ranch, their venue, does require a day-of-coordinator, however, our package had already included this from the beginning because we knew the best way to keep their priorities in place while also respecting their busy schedules, was to have a coordinator around to manage all of the logistics on the day.
Having Becca present day-of also kept Paige, Britt, or any of their close loved ones from having to manage any of the setup/takedown, or liaise with the venue coordinator.
8 hrs Photography Coverage:
From their initial inquiry, it was clear that photography was a service that both Paige and Britt were looking to invest in, because they knew that it was the best way to ensure all of their memories from the day were captured. They were excited about their wedding gallery telling the full story of both of their days from getting ready moments, all the way through their reception with candids of them and their guests playing board games.
We settled on an 8hr package for them, because it allowed time for the full story of their day to be captured, AND also gave them a small chunk of time before the ceremony for some private time alone to do a first look and private vows.
It was the perfect amount of time for them, and definitely a popular package that we tend to recommend for micro weddings!
Highlights from their Small Wedding at Granby Ranch
There were so many tear-jerking moments during this incredibly sweet wedding day, but we did want to mention a few highlights of the day to help get you inspired by their story!
Private vows at the top of a mountain:
Paige and Britt were so excited to have epic mountain views for their ceremony, but they also wanted to have time together, just the two of them, to acknowledge this huge milestone in their lives, and share their private vows with each other.
The time they set aside for themselves at the top of the mountain was absolute perfection. It was the perfect way to ground them both before the ceremony, and connect as a couple before they promised each other forever.
Family moments with their kids:
Both Paige and Britt are parents and one of our favorite parts of their wedding day was the different ways they celebrated their children through little gifts, hugs, and a unity ceremony during the wedding ceremony to symbolize the joining of their two families.
Entering Cocktail Hour from the Ski Lift:
Granby Ranch is a ski resort, so one of the coolest parts about getting married there is that after the ceremony, the couple and all of their guests get to ride down to the reception on the ski lift! Paige, Britt, Becca and I all had the best time riding the lift down and taking pictures of everyone with the "Just Married" sign! Their guests ran to greet them as they approached the lawn, and it was such a moment of pure joy that couldn't be replicated.
Corn hole Tournament & Board Games:
One last highlight was Paige and Britt battling together in a game of corn hole with their kids during cocktail hour. They love playing games together and as a family, and getting to see them both in their element on the best day of their lives was absolutely priceless!
Real 8 hr Small Wedding Timeline
Here is what Paige and Britt's 8hr timeline looked like for photography coverage:
1:00pm Riding up the ski lift to get final getting ready touches in the yurt
2:00pm First look and Private vows/portraits
3:00pm Group Portraits and candids with close family & friends pre-ceremony
4:00pm Ceremony
5:00pm Cocktail Hour and lawn games
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Desserts & toasts
8:00pm Dances & Board Games
9:00pm Coverage ends
Conclusion
Paige and Britt's day was truly one for the books, because it was full of intention and fun! We loved how much they wanted to incorporate their families and games - it made it such a unique and meaningful day for them and us as witnesses.
Hopefully you found the story of their small wedding both helpful and inspiring, and if you're looking for help to plan your own small wedding in Colorado, we'd love to chat with you to see how we can support you!
Granby Ranch Small Wedding Photos
Keep scrolling to see Paige and Britt's small wedding gallery at Granby Ranch!
Vendors:
Venue: Granby Ranch
Flowers: Fallen Leaf Floral Co
Officiant: Kelly Robbins Weddings
Planning your own Colorado Micro Wedding and need help?
Hi, we’re Becca and Hannah! A Colorado wedding Photographer and Planner!
We’re more than just the vendors setting up table decor and shooting posed portraits after your ceremony.
We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting!
Micro wedding planning is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
Green Mountain Falls Wedding
M&W’s intimate wedding in Green Mountain Falls was a day full of laughter, intentional family time, and climbing on boulders! If you’re curious about how to fill a day with fun activities, and include your family, we definitely recommend reading the full story of their day here for inspiration!
Megan and Will had their small wedding at an Airbnb in Green Mountain Falls this past March. Colorado is a special place for both of them - Will grew up in the area, and his family is still nearby, so it made sense for them to plan their intimate gathering in a place both accessible, and meaningful to their relationship. They decided to keep things simple by only inviting their immediate families to the wedding, and it turned out to be exactly what they were looking for; a beautiful, laid back day, surrounded by their favorite people and nature.
In this post I’ll be sharing all of the information about their small wedding in Green Mountain Falls, so you can determine if Green Mountain Falls is the perfect area for your wedding!
Are you thinking about having a micro wedding in Colorado but need some help or inspiration? We also recommend checking out these guides!
Including Family in Your Green Mountain Falls Small Wedding
Megan & Will’s Approach
Megan and Will made a conscious decision to keep their guest list small. They included only immediate family members, creating space for intentional time with everyone. Since they live far from their loved ones, this time together was non-negotiable.
Their approach was beautifully simple yet meaningful. They played board games together, cooked lasagna as a family, and Will's mom even did Megan's hair. They had an intimate creekside ceremony with readings from both of their siblings, and even had s’mores around the fire afterwards.
This intentional family focus transformed their wedding from a performance into a celebration. Guests weren't just observers but active participants in every moment. The smaller group allowed for deeper connections and created life-long memories for everyone involved.
If you’re thinking about ways to include your family in your Green Mountain Falls small wedding, consider planning activities that bring everyone together such as:
Board games, yard games, or video games
Group cooking
Sentimental activities such as sharing letters, old photograph albums, or telling stories
A family hike or excursion in nature
Activities like this inspire deep connections and conversations, while also keeping your people engaged. The most important thing to remember when planning things to do is to choose activities that reflect your personalities and values as a couple. If you plan the day around those things, you’ll ensure that your wedding feels uniquely yours, and not forced!
Where to Have Your Green Mountain Falls Wedding Ceremony
While Megan and Will chose their Airbnb property for their ceremony, Green Mountain Falls offers lots of options for ceremony locations in nature, so you get to decide what type of scenery and environment is best for you. Here are some of your options if you’re choosing to get married in Green Mountain Falls:
Garden of the Gods - Its dramatic red rock formations create a unique backdrop for vows. The park offers multiple ceremony spots that are first come, first serve, and free. Many couples choose this location for its accessibility and iconic Colorado beauty.
North Cheyenne Canyon Park - The park features meadows, forests, and mountain views that capture Colorado's diverse landscapes. Several ceremony sites accommodate small groups while maintaining privacy and natural beauty.
Pikes Peak - Whether you drive to the summit or choose a lower elevation spot, the mountain provides stunning views for adventure-seeking couples.
Colorado Springs - The town has lots of small wedding venues. These range from historic buildings to modern event spaces, giving couples options beyond outdoor ceremonies. Many venues specialize in intimate gatherings and can accommodate your specific vision.
Outdoor Activity Ideas for Your Green Mountain Falls Wedding
Megan and Will both agreed that nature was an integral part of their relationship, and so, they wanted to be sure to include it as a major part of their wedding day. They chose their Airbnb intentionally because it was immersed in the mountains, and had a beautiful spot on site for their intimate ceremony. As a bonus, the property was connected to miles of hiking trails, and also had lots of nooks to explore. We had a blast climbing over all of the boulders on the property during their couple portraits. They both love rock climbing together, so it felt completely natural to them to climb around in their wedding attire, finding the best views and standing on the most impressive rocks together. Megan even ditched her shoes for most of the photos, so she could have a better grip on the rocks, and feel more comfortable!
While climbing might not be your thing, Green Mountain Falls is tucked into the mountains, with access to all kinds of amazing outdoor recreation activities. Although Megan and Will stayed on their Airbnb property, there are so many ways to fill your special day with outdoor activities off-site of any venue or vacation rental property to further expand your wedding experience. Here are some outdoor activity options for your Green Mountain Falls wedding:
Hiking - There are so many places to hike in and around Green Mountain Falls! Trails range from easy walks to challenging climbs, accommodating all fitness levels. If this is up your alley, consider incorporating a sunrise hike or sunset walk into your wedding timeline if you’re looking for incredible photo opportunities and fewer crowds. The Seven Bridges Trail offers a particularly beautiful option with creek crossings and forest views.
Water activities (kayaking, paddle-boarding, boating, fishing) - Green Mountain Falls has access to multiple reservoirs that provide opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing with incredible mountain views. These activities work perfectly for bachelor or bachelorette parties or post-wedding relaxation with family.
Pikes Peak - Pike’s Peak is one of Colorado’s most famous 14,000ft mountain peaks. You can hike, drive, or even take a Cog train up to the summit. The views are absolutely incredible, and there are lots of stops you can take along the way to fill up a whole day together in the mountains. This would be a cool activity for couple portraits or private vows with just the two of you, or an activity to share with some of your guests!
Garden of the Gods - even if you’re not getting married here, Garden of the Gods is worth a visit. The park's unique geological formations provide incredible photo opportunities and accessible hiking options.
Local waterfalls - there are lots of different waterfalls in the area that create romantic settings for photos or quiet moments together. Helen Hunt Falls and Silver Cascade Falls are easily accessible and provide stunning natural backdrops. These locations work beautifully for engagement photos or post-ceremony portraits.
Green Mountain Falls Wedding Photos
Megan and Will had the best time during their Green Mountain Falls wedding, because they intentionally built the day around spending quality time with their closest people. They planned a wedding that was so them; full of laughter, simplicity, climbing rocks in their wedding attire, being goofy with their siblings, and creating life-long memories without having to perform for a huge crowd of people. It was such an honor to be welcomed so whole-heartedly into their family for the day, I know that it’s a wedding I will never forget!
Green Mountain Falls was the perfect setting for them, because it was close to their people, beautiful, and accessible. I hope this post all about their day has inspired you to check out Green Mountain Falls for your own wedding! Keep scrolling to see a glimpse into their gallery!
Airbnb Venue: Cabin at Pike’s Peak Falls
Photography: Trail Magic Elopements
Inspired to plan your own Colorado elopement or micro wedding?!
Planning your own Colorado Micro Wedding and need help?
Hi, we’re Becca and Hannah! A Colorado wedding Photographer and Planner!
We’re more than just the vendors setting up table decor and shooting posed portraits after your ceremony.
We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting!
Micro wedding planning is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
Intimate Vineyard Micro Wedding in Elkin NC
Although B&L’s micro wedding wasn’t what they originally planned, it turned out to be the perfect day! They celebrated at Dobbins Creek Vineyard in Elkin, NC with their immediate families. It was a day filled with beautiful views, tasty treats, and fun games!
Brook and Luke celebrated their micro wedding in October of 2024 in Elkin, North Carolina! It was not their originally planned day, but Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina a week before, so their plans shifted dramatically. Although it was not what they had originally envisioned, they were able to celebrate exactly how they wanted with gorgeous views, incredible weather, and fun activities with their closest people! Keep reading to hear more about the planning process and story of their day!
Are you thinking about having a micro wedding in North Carolina but need some help or inspiration? We also recommend checking out these guides!
Their original vision in Western, NC
Brook and Luke reached out to us wanting an incredibly intimate day. They knew that they wanted to include their immediate families, and most importantly, their 1 year old son. Brook had always envisioned her wedding to be romantic, with a spot for her and her father to share the classic “walking down the aisle” moment. They eventually decided on having their ceremony in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for stunning fall views of the mountains and then having their reception at a cidery in Hendersonville.
Pivoting plans after Hurricane Helene
A week before their big day, Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, including roads into and around Great Smoky Mountains National park and Maggie Valley where they had planned to stay. There was no clear plan on how the state would recover, so we decided to pivot plans for the wedding to be in Elkin, North Carolina instead of the Appalachian mountains. After many hours on the phone and checking emails, Becca was able to secure Dobbin’s Creek Vineyard for Brook and Luke’s intimate celebration. Thanks to Leslie’s kindness, we were able to host the entire event on the property. Brook and Luke could not have had a more perfect day!
Inspired to plan your own North Carolina Micro Wedding?!
Planning your own North Carolina Micro Wedding and need help?
Hi, we’re Becca and Hannah! A North Carolina wedding Photographer and Planner!
We’re more than just the vendors setting up table decor and shooting posed portraits after your ceremony.
We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting!
Micro wedding planning is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!
Colorado Springs Micro Wedding
B&C’s micro wedding in Colorado Springs was such a warm, intentional, and beautiful celebration. They chose to get married in Garden of the Gods and celebrate with their closest friends and family at multiple venues around downtown in the Springs.
Breanna and Chase celebrated their micro wedding in July of 2024 in Colorado Springs! It was an incredibly laid back day full of candid moments with their closest family and friends. They were so intentional in the activities, experiences, and people they chose for their day, and it showed in how the day flowed from start to finish. I’m so excited to share the images and story of their day below!
Are you thinking about having a micro wedding in Colorado but need some help or inspiration? We also recommend checking out these guides!
A laid back timeline and style
The aspect of B & C’s day that stands out to me was their laid back timeline and style. Nothing about the day from getting ready, to an intimate cocktail hour, to their ceremony, felt rushed or stressed. They owned their day and kept their guests close so that there was never a reason to push on to the next activity. Everyone was included from start to finish, and with all of this time, it was easy to capture the sweet in between moments that unfolded as everyone interacted.
Blending traditional and unconventional
B & C didn’t ignore all aspects of a traditional wedding, but really found a harmonious blend of tradition and modernization. Here are some examples of how they shook up the wedding traditions to make them their own!
Instead of getting ready separately, they were together during these moments of the day. C was in and out of the bridal suite as B was getting dressed and it let them both soak in the time with their close people!
They had a sit-down cocktail hour with their guests before the ceremony. Instead of using this as a time to run away and do photos, they built in more time to spend with their guests at a local brewery, Phantom Canyon. It was a great time for conversation and snacks!
Instead of having speeches, they allowed every guest to say a few words. Towards the end of the night, B & C opened the mic up to all of their guests to speak. They went around the table sharing memories, words of wisdom, and excitement for the newlyweds!
Multiple Locations & Transportation
B & C’s day included multiple locations for all of the guests, so they decided to charter a bus to take the group from place to place. This proved to be really handy because no one had to worry about parking, or waiting on someone who hadn’t arrived. When the bus arrived, we knew everyone was there and ready!
Having multiple locations helped the day feel unique and exciting. From getting ready, to cocktail hour, to the ceremony and finally the reception space, the day truly felt like a story, and everyone on the bus had an amazing time!
Here are the spots they used for their Micro Wedding in the Springs!
Getting Ready: Mining Exchange Hotel
Cocktail Hour: Phantom Canyon Brewing
Ceremony: Garden of the Gods
Reception: Mining Exchange Hotel
Inspired to plan your own Colorado Micro Wedding?!
Planning your own Colorado Micro Wedding and need help?
Hi, we’re Becca and Hannah! A Colorado wedding Photographer and Planner!
We’re more than just the vendors setting up table decor and shooting posed portraits after your ceremony.
We’re here to create a safe and community driven space for you to make your meaningful wedding vision a reality, without you having to do any of the heavy lifting!
Micro wedding planning is our absolute jam, so if you’re interested, reach out here to schedule your free consultation with us!