Forget the giant ballroom blowout.
For decades couples have been led to believe big weddings create better memories. That mentality is quickly becoming obsolete. Increasing numbers of travelling couples are opting for small intimate weddings that are personal, meaningful and simple to execute.
With a small, private wedding you can:
- Spend real time with the people you love
- Travel somewhere stunning without breaking the bank
- Build memories that actually last
Oh and guess what… You don’t have to sacrifice the MAGIC to do it either.
Here is why this trend is taking over…
What’s inside this guide:
- The Rise of Small, Private Weddings
- Why Travelling Couples Are Leading the Way
- The Real Benefits of Going Small
- How to Plan Your Intimate Getaway Wedding
The Rise of Small, Private Weddings
Something big is happening in the wedding world.
People are saying goodbye to lengthy guest lists and hello to intimate ceremonies. Reports from The Knot reveal that nearly 60% of couples want a microwedding and that percentage is growing.
This isn’t a passing trend.
Wedding trends are changing completely. Couples that travel tend to look for a wedding venue with accommodation so guests can stay onsite, enjoy the surroundings together and make a weekend of their celebration instead of one big evening. A great example to check out is branxholmpark.co.uk – worth a visit if you want to see how a proper destination wedding setting comes together.
Pretty special, right?
It’s a simple concept: Less Stress. More Meaning. Couples don’t want to spend their wedding day shaking hands with strangers. They want to enjoy their day.
Why Travelling Couples Are Leading the Way
If you are a person who likes to travel, you know the happiness that ensues when you go somewhere fun with good people.
So why not turn your wedding into the ultimate trip?
That’s exactly what couples are bringing to their wedding celebrations. They’re booking scenic destinations far away with accommodations onsite so everyone can unwind, wander and celebrate together.
Here’s why it works so well:
- Guests aren’t worrying about taxis or last-minute hotels
- The couple gets quality time with every single person there
- The wedding becomes a shared adventure, not a quick fly-by event
You’re naturally limited by this method when it comes to your guest list…which is sort of the point. Half the fun is you don’t have to invite your boss or second cousin. You invite the ones that mean something.
That’s how you get a wedding that actually feels like you.
The Real Benefits of Going Small
So why exactly are couples making the switch?
There are many reasons why small intimate weddings trump large traditional ceremonies. Here are some of the biggest advantages…
More Meaningful Moments
A 200-person wedding moves fast.
You barely talk to anyone. The day flies by in chaos. You spend half the day stressing about logistics. Small weddings reverse all of that. With 30-50 guests you can actually:
- Sit down with each person
- Hear their stories
- Properly celebrate together
Those are memories that couples look back on years later… not the huge cake or floor plan. Having an intimate guest list allows you to take everything in. Vows become more special. Speeches become more impactful. The dance floor feels crowded with less people on it.
Bigger Budget Per Guest
Here’s a cool one.
Trimming your guest list can also allow you to upgrade other parts of your wedding. If you spend less on invites, you have more money for delicious food and drinks, professional photography, or any other detail you’ve been coveting. Budget-friendly micro weddings with 50 guests or less now make up 18% of weddings, almost twice the 10% they represented in 2013. The shift is, in part, because couples have discovered this trade-off.
You’re not skimping. You’re being smart.
Less Stress, More Joy
Big weddings are exhausting to plan. Period.
Small private weddings are so much easier to plan. You actually get to enjoy the anticipation instead of stressing through it. There are no huge seating chart puzzles. No catering mayhem. Just an intimate and special celebration that will be cherished by all.
How to Plan Your Intimate Getaway Wedding
Ready to plan your own small private wedding? Here’s how to nail it.
Pick the Right Venue
This is everything.
A space that’s Instagram-worthy yet intimate enough where you don’t feel like guests will be everywhere. Venues that feature:
- Onsite accommodation for guests
- Beautiful grounds for the ceremony
- Flexible space for the reception
- A proper sense of seclusion
Once you’ve secured the perfect venue, everything else falls into place. Look for venues that already “get” destination weddings… The hotels that don’t just cosplay as wedding venues for the weekend.
Curate Your Guest List
Be ruthless. Politely, of course.
The beauty of a small wedding is that every individual in attendance means something to you. If you have to debate on whether to invite someone — they shouldn’t be invited. Keep it small. Keep it close.
Plan the Whole Weekend
Don’t just plan the wedding day.
Destination couples are elevating their weddings to full-blown vacations. Welcome dinners, group hikes, post-ceremony brunches—you name it. It’s these thoughtful details that make an intimate private wedding feel like a memory your guests will cherish for decades.
Sort the Travel Details Out
Don’t make your guests rush at the last minute. If you book a destination wedding:
- Clear travel directions
- Confirmed rooms on-site
- A loose schedule for the weekend
A little organisation goes a long way. It eliminates those “now what do we do?” moments and helps the entire event run seamlessly.
Keep the Details Personal
Skip the generic wedding decor.
Embrace your idiosyncrasies as a couple. Unique personal details that suit your venue and style will trump forced, Pinterest-perfect creations every time.
Final Thoughts
Micro weddings are not just a trend… they’re a thoughtful choice.
Adventure-wedding couples are paving the way forward by recognizing one simple truth: Weddings are not a performance. They are a celebration with your nearest and dearest.
Quick recap of why this works so well:
- More time with the people who matter
- Less stress in the planning
- Bigger budget per guest
- A proper weekend experience for everyone
If you’ve never felt like a giant ballroom wedding was “your style”… well, now you know there is another option. Choose a gorgeous venue with lodging onsite, invite the people you love most, and transform your big day into something way more unforgettable.
That is the magic of a small private wedding.