If you’re after a small wedding with a focus on guest experience, and you don’t mind skewing tradition, a micro wedding could be the right choice for you.

The main advantage of choosing a micro wedding is that you don’t have to worry about being tied to a traditional wedding day and all that it entails. The smaller scale and more personalised, intimate nature allow you to have a celebration unique to you, and you can opt-out of formalities such as cake cutting, bouquet tosses, first dances and speeches if they don’t resonate with your values.

While micro weddings won’t necessarily be less money than a traditional style day, you can choose to spend your budget money differently. A smaller guest list and a more intimate location can mean you can splash out on customised menus, unique experiences, wedding favours, decor and more, as you won’t be catering for large numbers. You’ll likely also get more time with your guests, be more relaxed and feel less restricted by timings and formalities. 

However, it’s always worth considering the downside of choosing a smaller wedding before committing. If you’ve always dreamt of a huge fairy tale wedding, is changing your plans right for you? There is also family to consider––if you have a larger family who may not all be able to attend, will opting for a smaller celebration offend or hurt any feelings? 

See also: Postponing A Wedding: Expert Tips For The Process

Just because your wedding is small, it doesn’t mean there won’t still be a lot to organise, so don’t rule out having a planner just because you’ve opted for a micro celebration. There are many wedding planning experts in Hong Kong who will be able to help you succeed in creating your dream day, no matter the size.

Of course, you can still do it yourself, but a planner may be able to lend their expertise in recommending everything from caterers, to florists, make-up artists and more, so should still be considered if your schedule is busy.

See also: How To Plan Your Wedding: Expert Advice From A Top Hong Kong Planner

Though smaller, finding your venue will still likely be one of the biggest decisions to make while planning your day. Naturally, a micro wedding doesn’t lend itself to spacious ballrooms, but it does mean you can opt for more unique venues.

Be it a secluded seafront location, a private kitchen, outdoor space, or even your favourite restaurant, there are countless unique locations in Hong Kong that you can make your own.

When travel restrictions ease, destination locations are also well-suited to micro weddings, due to the smaller guest list.

See also: 13 Alternative Wedding Venues In Hong Kong For A Unique Celebration

A micro wedding is likely to have just 20 guests not 200, so your wedding party will only consist of your nearest and dearest. Think: immediate family, your closest friends and those most important to you, and skip inviting your second cousin or work colleagues unless you can’t imagine the day without them. The smaller nature may also mean you need to reconsider allowing plus ones, unless you’ve known them for a long time.

See also: Event Planning In A Time Of Social Distancing: How To Choose Your Guest List

Micro weddings tend to be a little more casual than traditional weddings, but the beauty of them is that you make the rules. Getting married in an intimate and sophisticated evening location? Black tie it is! Or if your location is a little more low-key and al fresco, you can relax formal dress codes as you see fit.

The same goes for the bride and groom. While many of us have dreamt of walking down the aisle in a traditional white gown, the choice is up to you. Whether you opt for a different colour, a modern style, a suit or something entirely different, it’s your day, and the most important thing is that you feel comfortable.

The smaller nature of the ceremony also may mean that you are going without bridesmaids and groomsmen, or having a smaller wedding party. Many brides now allow their bridesmaids to choose their own dresses, or just stick to a particular colour scheme, rather than going down the traditional matchy route. The same goes for groomsmen, with many opting out of cummerbunds and cravats in favour of more modern, relaxed suit styles. As with all decisions when it comes to planning a micro wedding, you can go as traditional or unique as you like.

See also: 10 Best Bridal Boutiques In Hong Kong To Find Your Dream Wedding Dress