Elopements, Micro Weddings and Virtual Weddings
As regulations and restrictions on gathering size that were put into place because of COVID-19 begin to change, we hope that one day big, traditional weddings make a return. For now, many couples are altering their plans. There are couples who are choosing to elope, couples turning their big wedding into a micro wedding or couples who are going totally virtual. But really, what’s the difference between all of these?
Elopement
What
Even before coronavirus, elopements had been gaining popularity. They are usually a very, very small ceremony with no real reception. Sometimes, couples will meet with family and friends for dinner or drinks after to celebrate, but there’s not usually a traditional reception. Because of that, there is minimal planning involved.
Who
If the elopement is not just the couple and officiant, it is almost always 10 people and under. The other guests would be immediate family – parents, siblings or the number one person (aside from your fiancé!) in your life you can’t get married without. There isn’t usually a wedding party.
Where
An elopement can take place just about anywhere – the local courthouse, a mountaintop, a vacation spot (just make sure you check legality of a different country!).
When
Couples who choose to elope usually want to get married sooner rather than later. COVID-19 couples are choosing to elope immediately once they decide to change their original wedding plans or elope on their original wedding date and plan something big later (marry now, party later!).
Micro-Wedding
What is a micro-wedding?
A micro-wedding is a smaller wedding, including some type of reception. It’s still like planning a traditional wedding and you usually need all the regular wedding vendors such as a venue, photographer, planner, caterer, rentals, florals, attire, entertainment, etc. It’s just on a much smaller scale.
Who
Typically, a micro-wedding is under 50 people. It’s your closest family and friends. If you are planning under a restriction on gathering size, make sure you include vendors in that headcount. If you are altering original plans, it’s common to keep your original wedding party. If you are planning a micro-wedding from the start, you don’t need a wedding party, but it’s also okay to have a small one!
Where
There are a lot of backyard micro-weddings happening right now while venues aren’t operating as normal. If you still want a traditional venue, you’ll want a more intimate feeling space so it’s not a big room fit for 200 that feels empty with only 50 people in it.
When
Because a micro-wedding still takes some planning and logistical arrangements, allot a couple months to plan, if possible. COVID-19 couples can easily alter their current wedding day plans and cut their guest list to turn it into a micro-wedding.
Virtual Wedding
What
A virtual wedding allows couples choosing to elope or micro-size their wedding to still include all of their original guests. COVID-19 couples can take whatever their new plan is for their coronavirus-affected wedding and virtualize the experience.
Even couples planning a large, traditional wedding later down the road can virtualize their wedding to include guests that aren’t able to travel for whatever reason. A virtual wedding does involve much more tech and logistical planning if you plan to DIY live stream your wedding. That’s why we created LoveStream, to take that guess work out of live streaming a wedding (not another work meeting here!).
Who
A virtual wedding can be as small or as big as you want (with LoveStream — other wedding streaming platforms will limit the number of guests allowed). Anyone you want to witness your marriage but who can’t physically be there. Grandparents in nursing homes, international family members, parents who can’t travel, friends you couldn’t include in your limit of a 50-person headcount, a friend who just gave birth, etc.
Where
A virtual wedding can happen anywhere, it ties into whatever your current plans are. Just send your guests the URL to your wedding live stream and allow them to watch from anywhere with an internet connection or cell service.
When
Same thing as where, a virtual wedding ties into whatever your current plans are and takes place simultaneously as your in-person wedding.
We’re ready to help you plan your virtual wedding experience. Book a time to chat with a member of our team today!
Photo credit [vetted] D. Hayman Photography