Elopement, Minimony or Micro Wedding | Wedding Size Terms Explained

In the last year alone, wedding size terms have changed more than almost anything else in the industry. We’ve talked about the return of elopements, the birth of micro weddings, and have minimonies always been a thing? Either way, what does it all mean? Size certainly matters, and these categories are much more than just cute wedding buzzwords. So is the difference, and what are the total guest counts associated with each small, medium, and large weddings? Understanding all of this is key in planning a successful soiree, so we broke it down piece by piece. Local wedding pros, upcoming brides and nuptial enthusiasts alike take a deep breath – all the newest wedding size terms explained down below. Cheers!

Elopement

An elopement typically involves a little travel, an epic location, and an intimate crowd. Most elopements consist of just the bride, groom, and their officiant, while others include a small wedding party. These are shorter, love-focused celebrations where vendors are few but romance is plentiful. Think 25 guests at the very most.

Micro Wedding

If elopements are considered more spur-of-the-moment, micro weddings are planned as full-on nuptials – just with up to 50 guests in tow! Most venues offer smaller packages for a lower guest count, and with a closer crowd, you have the time and freedom to make memories with each of your guests individually.

Minimony

If splitting things up is more your style, a minimony might be made for you! Minimonies are perfect for couples looking to tie the knot with a small group of 50 or fewer (or even just each other) now, before planning a larger reception or celebration later on. You can make your love official while still keeping the big party for another day.

Small Wedding

We consider anything up to 100 guests to be a small wedding. You send invitations, guests RSVP – the whole shebang. Whether you’re working with a modest budget or just prefer a more personal vibe, a smaller guest list lets you focus on the details and the experience.

Medium Wedding

If you were thinking of having a small wedding but your immediate family alone consists of 50+, fear not! Over 100 but less than 300 guests is considered a medium wedding or mid-size event. Of course, numbers are relative – if you’re used to huge celebrations, 100 guests might feel small. And if intimate ceremonies are your norm, 80 could feel grand.

Large/Grand Wedding

Hosting over 300 guests definitely qualifies as a “grand” or large wedding – and we love it! It’s easy to wow guests when over-the-top is the goal. A larger guest count means a bigger budget, but it can be worth it to celebrate with everyone you love. The traditional wedding format is evolving, and we’re excited to see what’s next!