Micro Weddings: Everything you need to know about planning an intimate wedding

There are plenty of colloquial synonyms for a wedding, but the one we hear the most? The Big Day. And, so many aspects of this important day are big - the amount of time it can take to plan, the financial investment and, of course, your love for each other. But more and more, trends are showing that the one thing not guaranteed to be big, is the guestlist.

While smaller weddings have always been an option, it’s over the last few years that the micro-wedding trend has really caught on. While each wedding is different, a micro wedding generally refers to 50 guests or less, which means spending your special day with those who really know and care about you best.

There are so many positives to planning a micro wedding, firstly it means your guests are more likely to properly mingle instead of staying in cliques. And, even better, the couple can also get some real face time with their loved ones and avoid getting stuck greeting sometimes up to hundreds of people.

Once the trend for micro weddings started to take off, there’s been no looking back. Some of our favourite smaller wedding venues have even created special micro wedding packages tailored to couples who love the idea of being surrounded by only their closest friends and family, with unique ways to turn this into a three-day celebration, too - which is much easier with fewer people!

Wedding venues are seeing the interest in micro weddings grow, too. Emma Smith, the Events Manager at The Milestone Hotel and Residences, says: ‘I think micro weddings are the most beautiful expression of a couple's love for their 'inner circle'. Here at the Milestone Hotel, we have hosted weddings as small as four people, and for even smaller celebrations members of our team have stepped in to be witnesses on occasion.’

What is a micro wedding?

A micro wedding really does what it says on the tin: this is a smaller-than-your-average wedding celebration that eschews a huge guest list in favour of a more intimate ceremony and reception. There is no technical number for a micro wedding, but as this trend really took off in the COVID-19 pandemic when weddings were restricted to 50 people, this is the number that’s stuck. We find that with roughly 25 people from each person's circle, there’s enough to fill a dance floor but keep the atmosphere intimate and personal. However, if you’d like to celebrate your special day with much fewer, even organising a gorgeous dinner for six counts as a micro wedding.

What happens at a micro wedding?

While a micro wedding may well follow the pattern of traditional nuptials, we’re seeing that couples throwing a smaller, more personalised shindig, also tend to make their own rules. If a church ceremony and marquee reception is what you’ve always dreamed of, do that - just with a smaller number. But, if you are looking for ways to think outside of the box, micro weddings can also look like a three-day stay at your favourite boutique hotel, with some couples using their budget to treat friends to a mini break instead.

What are the benefits of a micro wedding?

Micro weddings are taking off and it's easy to see why. From spending more of your budget on other aspects of the day to getting more quality time together, here are all the biggest perks of micro weddings.

Save on budget

Micro weddings are not only cheaper because you’re catering for fewer people, but they allow you to be more creative with your budget, too. Couples spend thousands on going super-size, whether that be hiring a marquee to fit 200 people instead of 50, or organising enough food and drink to keep everyone suitably fed and watered. With a smaller soiree, couples can explore cheaper wedding venues. For example, some of the best woodland wedding venues in the UK can come in at a lower price, the same can be said for pubs and restaurants which make brilliant wedding venues for foodies.

The Cadogan Arms, for example, offers brilliant pub interiors and a brilliantly designed dining room which accommodates up to 40 seated guests.

Spend more on your suppliers

If you’re passionate about fantastic photography or have always considered yourself an interior design pro, spend your budget on the creative elements that make you tick. Perhaps you’ve seen a towering, Marie Antoinette-style cake on Pinterest, and would love to commission one for your big day, or love the idea of an intricate floral arrangement hanging from the ceiling - a micro wedding frees up your budget to spend on the things you really love.

With a smaller guest list, you can increase your budget for decor, allowing you to create a vision that suits your personal style to the fullest.

Create personalised details

When you’re inviting your nearest and dearest, there’s more time to think of little details that make the whole experience more special. Ideas could include writing each guest a personalised letter, finding unique ways to entertain your wedding guests, creating welcome boxes for those joining you for a few days or hand-making favours.

Why not create a signature drink, that you can remake for years to come? We've got some great tips for signature summer wedding cocktails

Connect with your guests

Weddings involve a lot of socialising for the bride and groom. This isn’t a bad thing, but all the hugging and catching up can be a little exhausting especially when all you want is to enjoy the day and savour the moment. You can always host a larger wedding celebration party after your honeymoon to give other connections and friends a chance to congratulate you and feel involved.

Rosie Conroy, founder of Scottish wedding floral studio, Lavender and Rose, says: ‘My wedding in 2020 was restricted to 50 people and actually, it worked out really well. We planned a three-day affair and over that time our guests became like one big family; everyone got to know each other, spend time together and by the wedding night, the dance floor felt so connected with guests who had never met twirling each other around. I really feel that with a smaller number of guests, you can spend quality time with everyone and the day feels more about you, rather than a big party that people can feel obliged to go to, or are just in it for the free food and drinks!’

Plan a longer celebration

It would be near impossible to take 150 people away for the weekend, but with a smaller number, there’s a better chance of planning a three-day celebration. You don’t have to propose a group trip to Mexico, but the UK is full of gorgeous country house wedding venues, nature reserves and even glamping spots that can cater for anything between 10 to 30 people. Host a BBQ the day before and give everyone the chance to get to know each other, as well as a breakfast and a big walk the day afterwards. You’ll get so much more bang for your buck!

A micro wedding is a great excuse to have a multi-day celebration. Hedingham Castle, for example, specialises in weekend-long weddings.

Break some rules

Every wedding should be unique and reflect the tastes of the couple but smaller weddings tend to be less traditional. Dream of wearing a non-traditional pink wedding dress? Don’t want to serve a three-course meal? Fancy planning a festival themed wedding, or looking into the best tipi wedding venues the UK has to offer? Micro weddings make it easier to set your own rules - after all, the only people coming should totally support you and the way you want to celebrate your love.

There are so many alternative ways to tie the knot, from Glastonbury-themed days with food truck catering, to axe-throwing and fire-breathing entertainment.

The best micro wedding venues in the UK

As micro weddings become more popular, wedding venues are adapting their offering to suit smaller parties. Here are some wonderful examples from around the UK - you never know, you might find your dream venue!

The Lady Ottoline, London

What: Nowhere does a merry celebration like a pub, and The Lady Ottoline is a gorgeous example. You can find its rich-green facade down a charming Bloomsbury street, with plenty of public transport options for your guests, and hotels nearby. The Lady Ottoline boasts two options for micro weddings, starting with The Morrell Room which has a capacity for just 14 people, perfect for an intimate, candlelit supper. If you were planning a slightly bigger soiree, The Dining Room has space for up to 40 people, overlooking the historic streets with features like indigo blue walls and rustic, exposed brick.
Where: 11A Northington Street, Holborn, WC1N 2JF
Find out more: The Lady Ottoline

Oakley Hall, Hampshire

What: What’s a benefit to hosting a micro wedding at a sprawling country manor house? Everyone can stay over, that’s what! Oakley Hall may look a little large for an intimate ‘I Do’ but if you’re planning a small wedding, the venue’s 50 bedrooms could come in real handy. Imagine making this stunning 18th-century property all yours for the weekend - now, that’s what we call celebrating. There’s so much to see here, from the Garden Room to the Winchester Suite, but for us it has to be the cosy library. This is the perfect place for up to 40 guests with historic chandeliers glittering above.
Where: Rectory Road, Oakley, Basingstoke, RG23 7EL
Find out more: Oakley Hall

No.4 Hamilton Place, London

What: Looking for a unique wedding venue in London? How about tying the knot at the Royal Aeronautical Society, which finds its home in a Grade II Listed Edwardian townhouse just moments from Hyde Park. This venue is brimming with character and while it can cater for capacities of up to 200 people, it also has some stunning, smaller dining and board rooms which make for a gorgeous backdrop for your wedding supper. Take the Sopwith Room, for example, which has cream-toned walls, ornate cornicing and historic paintings and photographs decorating the space. The main dining table can host up to 18 people and looks magical when illuminated by candlelight.
Where: 4 Hamilton Place, Mayfair, W1J 7BQ
Find out more: No.4 Hamilton Place

The Roseate, Edinburgh

What: The Roseate Edinburgh is an independent hotel in Scotland’s capital, bearing all the hallmarks of this great city, with a grey-stone facade that dates back to 1860. This venue specialises in micro weddings, offering a ceremony and dining space for up to 30 guests as well as 35 bedrooms kitted out with luxurious amenities. Catering is also provided in-house, using the very best Scottish produce available, making The Roseate really is your one-stop-shop for a micro wedding in Edinburgh. Plus, it also offers exclusive hire, and as it’s a five-star hotel you can guarantee they know what they’re doing.
Where: 4 W Coates, Haymarket, EH12 5JQ
Find out more: The Roseate Edinburgh

The Milestone Hotel & Residences, London

What: Sitting pretty in the heart of West London this English manor boasts all the hallmarks of Old London. Think Victorian architecture, authentic furnishings like monochrome tiled flooring, polished wood panelled walls and atmospheric libraries. The Milestone Hotel & Residences is a chic option for a micro wedding, especially thanks to The Oratory, a small enchanting venue within the hotel. This truly stunning place features a vaulted ceiling, ornate windows and an archway; a beautiful spot to tie the knot under. Afterwards, The Windsor Suite can be set up with a central dining table for around 20 guests, or a standing reception for up to 50.
Where: 1 Kensington Court, Kensington, London, W8 5DL
Find out more: The Milestone Hotel & Residences

Hilton Park Lane, London

What: Versatility is the order of the day with Hilton Park Lane which offers an impressive 16 meeting rooms across 2,087 square metres of events space. So, if you’re still working out guest numbers and looking for a venue that can offer, perhaps, multiple spaces or adjoining rooms, talk to the team here. Not only is the location fantastic, the Hilton Park Lane’s reputation is stellar, with years of experience throwing all sorts of parties. Plus, your guests can book a room upstairs, which can make the flow of your day so much easier.
Where: 22 Park Lane, Mayfair, W1K 1BE
Find out more: Hilton Park Lane

Cliveden House, Berkshire

What: Well, if it’s good enough for Meghan Markle, it’s good enough for us! You’ll have no doubt heard of Cliveden House, the luxurious, 350-year-old country manor where Meghan spent her last ‘single’ night, situated in rural Berkshire. One of the most exclusive wedding venues in the country, it’s been visited by everyone from royalty to rock stars. Cliveden House is a breath-taking place to host your special day, boasting several luxurious rooms which can accommodate weddings with 16 to 120 guests. For a micro wedding, take a look at the Romantic or Intimate packages, which specifically cater for smaller numbers.
Where: Taplow, SL6 0JF
Find out more: Cliveden House

L'oscar, London

What: If you’re going to swap a full-on wedding reception for a sophisticated dinner, you’ll want a venue that really wows. Five-star boutique hotel L'oscar is resplendent in every way offering world-class service, elaborate private dining rooms and luxurious bedrooms. This Grade II Listed property is licensed to hold wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships, so you can spend your entire day here. There are three spaces to entertain your guests. For a micro wedding we think it has to be the sumptuous Committee Room, this grand space boasts wood panelling, a handsome 40-person central dining table, and stunning hand-painted wall murals.
Where: 2-6 Southampton Row, Holborn, WC1B 4AA
Find out more: L’oscar London

RSA House, London

What: You can do it all at this charming Georgian townhouse, which sits just a stone’s throw from the West End. This venue is the HQ of The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, so think grand, tiled staircases, towering windows and sweeping frescoed ceilings - just think of the wedding pictures. Spaces include the Benjamin Franklin Room which has a more contemporary edge, and The Great Room, where the first ever telephone was tested. Our personal favourite, though, has to be The Vaults with authentic, arched ceilings and bags of atmosphere, where you can host between 40 and 80 of your favourite people.
Where: 8 John Adam Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6EZ
Find out more: RSA House

St. Ermins, London

What: You can almost see Buckingham Palace from St. Ermins, a luxury hotel in London’s Westminster. So, it’s no surprise that once you step inside, the grandeur doesn’t end there. This fantastic building boasts several architectural feats including a century-old banqueting hall and glamorous Crystal Ballroom designed by theatre designer J.B. Briggs. The team here are passionate about making every single wedding unique, so be sure to give them a call and arrange a viewing to chat through your hopes and dreams - they’ll be only too happy to help you make them come true.
Where: Caxton Street, Westminster, SW1H 0QW
Find out more: St. Ermins

The Conduit, London

What: Grand ballrooms and country houses aren’t for everyone. If you’re looking for a wedding venue that’s a little more modern, let us direct you to The Conduit, a member’s club in Covent Garden. In the summer months, The Rooftop Terrace is an oh-so-cool choice, with great views of central London and a Brooklyn feel. Or, inside you’ll find The Reading Room which has capacity for 44 people around a central dining table. This space is a blank canvas which you can totally make your own, just speak to the team about your ideas for decor and personalised touches.
Where: 6 Langley Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9JA
Find out more: The Conduit

The Roseate, Berkshire

What: Listen up, Reading locals looking for an elegant venue to host your dream micro wedding, The Roseate Reading is primed to host a brilliant intimate celebration for your big day. The Roseate Reading is a restored Edwardian listed mansion built back in 1911, complete with incredible original features like grand fireplaces, tiled flooring and ornate ceilings. Here, between two and 52 guests can be welcomed for your civil ceremony, followed by a minimum-spend reception in either the Library, Cellar or Eden Room - each one designed and crafted for a smaller wedding celebration, and brimming with atmosphere and charm.
Where: 24 The Forbury, Reading, RG1 3EJ
Find out more: The Roseate Reading

Bellanger, London

What: Bellanger is a charming restaurant in Islington which is inspired by the grand cafes of Europe, particularly drawing on French influence. While the bustling restaurant is an all-day dining delight, the exclusive-use space at the rear of the establishment is perfect for a chic, intimate, wedding breakfast. The private dining room has been re-designed with elegant cream wall panelling decorated with French antique-style mirrors, while upholstered bistro chairs complement the classic white tablecloths. Up to 50 of your nearest and dearest can enjoy dining here with you, with a menu which comes from the restaurant’s own kitchen and offers European-inspired dishes.
Where: 9 Islington Green, Islington, N1 2XH
Find out more: Bellanger

Urban venues tend to throw up countless options for intimate and small wedding venues, so why not take a glance at some of the best city wedding venues the UK has to offer?