It’s something you’ve fantasized forever or feared for always: planning your wedding.
Whether you’re thoroughly thrilled or tremendously terrified, 2020 hasn’t made wedding planning easy on any couple. Modern couples face social distancing rules, travel restrictions, and perhaps, most dismally, a newfound illegality of dancing. Consequently, 2020 couples are seeking alternatives to the traditional 150+ person extravaganza. Not unlike the early 90’s Canadian music scene, “alternative” has emerged as wildly popular. Perhaps, even, the new mainstream?
Introducing, Canada’s latest alternative movement: the micro wedding.
What is a micro wedding?
A micro wedding is exactly what it sounds like: a small wedding. Sized under 50 people, a micro wedding often operates on a shorter timeline and includes only the happy couples’ closest circle. That being said, we think newly engaged couple Mike Patrick and Nadia Conforti put it best: “The answer is, whatever the hell we want!”
Why are people choosing small?
Creative Freedom
“We’re dumping all traditions,” says the blushing bride-to-be. “There are no rules, and by going off script, we get to do anything we want.” Since micro weddings usually forgo the customs of a traditional wedding, modern couples are able to ditch the long white dress, Pachelbel’s Canon, and any other customs that they may have been doing merely in the name of “tradition.”
Intimacy
“We’re going to have something very beautiful and unique, and with the people that we rely on every day,” says Nadia. With a guest list of just 18, a micro wedding offers this couple a chance to connect with each of their guests in a way a larger wedding simply can’t. Instead of making small talk with second (or are they third?) cousins, plus ones, and ex-coworkers, couples who opt for micro are able to focus on the love they have for each other, and the people in their immediate circle.
Spend The Way You Want
Sizing down leaves more room for luxury, extravagance, and indulgence. But if you’re watching the wallet, industry expert and curator of Toronto Micro Weddings, Tiffany, recommends going small. “Even if you have the money, you don’t have to spend it,” she says. A smaller guest count gives couples more flexibility with their budget. “Invest in your marriage, not your wedding,” she adds.
Supporting Local
In these unprecedented times, supporting local businesses is more important than ever. A hotel ballroom can be swapped for your favourite local hotspot. This is something that the team at Toronto Micro Weddings values deeply, “We try to use venues that support the arts community, whether it is galleries, local restaurants, and local chefs or just local creative spaces. Everything from the cake to the wedding favours, and we have a Book Artist who makes your guest book, it’s about paying local artists who need the jobs at this point,” Tiffany comments.
Sold? Here’s where to look!
As is the Canadian way, wedding and event planners have been resilient this year. Plenty of organizations in Toronto and the GTA are offering micro wedding packages. Toronto Micro Weddings works with couples in the city and in the GTA as a one-stop-shop option, helping you plan all your wedding needs. Gone Sailing Adventures even offers micro wedding services on luxury yachts at sunset! “We offer unobstructed views of Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline,” comments founder and captain, Howie Colt. Sounds romantic to us! If, like Mike and Nadia, the city isn’t meeting your micro wedding needs, venturing out to wine counties like Niagara or Prince Edward County may fit your intimate style.
All that’s left is to figure out your micro honeymoon!
