Putting together a small wedding (aka “microwedding” or “elopement”) differs from organizing a traditional wedding in many ways. Below, I’m covering the ceremony specifics––from the venue setup and the processional, to the exchange of vows and everything in-between.
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Venue Setup
Location
Of course a small church or wedding venue can work; but remember, microweddings are flexible, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Mountain-tops, art museums, and breweries are all great options. Check out this article on finding the perfect venue for your small wedding.
Seating / Decor
As a rule of thumb, I’ve found that ceremonies with less than 20 guests don’t require seating. In these cases, setup doesn’t have to be anything more than your group finding a nice spot in a local park.
With more than 20 guests, I recommend seating. If you’re at a venue, they should take care of it. If you’re in a park, search online for a rental company that will drop off and pick up chairs. Beyond the seating, some couples opt for a wedding arch, flowers, decorations, etc. But if you have an outdoor location with its own scenery, this really isn’t necessary.
Microphone / Music
You generally don’t need a microphone at smaller weddings. If you’re doing a processional, I do recommend having some music play when you walk down the aisle. Assuming you don’t have a professional DJ, you’ll want to have a trusted cousin man a Bluetooth speaker.
PROCESSIONAL
(And Recessional)
The processional is when the bridal party walks down the aisle before the ceremony. The recessional, is the bridal party’s walk back up the aisle post-ceremony. For small weddings, these can end up being done a bit differently.
Casual…
If your guests are standing for the ceremony and there’s no bridal party, you may not need a processional. In this case, just have the bride, groom, and officiant start up front. If the bride prefers to do a walk up (with or without an escort), have the officiant and groom start up front, and let her join them.
Traditional…
If the guests are seated, or there is a bridal party, go the more traditional route. Here’s the order that people generally walk in. Keep in mind, there is no “right way,” as it varies with traditions and style.
1) The Officiant and Groom
2) The Family
3) The Bridal Party
4) Ring Bearer, then Flower Girl
5) The Bride
The Recessional
After bride and groom kiss (hurray!), make sure they turn toward the crowd and join hands. The maid of honor hands the bride her flowers, and the officiant announces them as “Mr. and Mrs…” Then they walk back down the aisle.
When they get ALL THE WAY down the aisle, the bridal party and family follows them out in the reverse order they came in. You don’t want the bridal party to upstage the new married couple’s big moment.
Ceremony
After the processional, the ceremony gets underway. This is lead by the couple’s officiant, who walks them through the primary elements of the ceremony. These elements vary in style and order, but here’s a general breakdown:
Introduction
The couple’s love story and the meaning of marriage
Vows, “I Dos,” Ring Exchange, etc.
Kiss / Pronouncement
“Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs…”
Beyond these, there are a few other elements couples will commonly add into their ceremony. I’ve detailed a few of them below:
Unity Ceremony
Unity candles or sand pouring ceremonies are the most common, but if you do some Googling you will find a whole range of unique ideas—my favorite being the “Wine Box and Love Letter Ceremony.”
Reading
This can be done by a family member or friend. Note this reading does not need to be religious; poems and book excerpts work great!
Remember: It’s your day
When it comes down to it, there are no rules on how a wedding ceremony is structured! Setup the venue however you feel comfortable, do a processional/recessional that works for your group, and have whatever sort of ceremony best reflects the love you share as a couple.
Need help finding the perfect officiant for your small wedding?
Check out:
“How Do I Choose the Right Wedding Officiant?”
Colorado Micro-Wedding & Elopement Packages
Starting at $1,300
You & Your fiancé
+ Beautiful Mountain Overlook
+ Wedding Officiant
+ Professional Photographer
___________
All-Inclusive | 100% Customizable | 0 - 40ish Guests
Vendors | Venues | Marriage License | Permits | Dining | Lodging
Iver Marjerison
Owner / Lead Planner
Iver@MicroWeddings.org
MicroWeddings.org
