(And How Do You Know Which One Fits You?)
If you’ve been in wedding planning mode for longer than a week, you’ve probably used the words “elopement” and “microwedding” almost interchangeably — and honestly, the internet doesn’t make it any easier to tell them apart. The difference between an elopement and a microwedding is real, and knowing which one you’re actually planning can change everything: your venue search, your guest list conversation, your photography, your whole day.
Here’s a clear breakdown of both, plus some help figuring out which one fits what you’re actually dreaming of.
What Is an Elopement? (And What It Isn’t Anymore)
The old definition of elopement — sneaking off in secret, maybe against your parents’ wishes — is mostly dead. Today, an elopement means a wedding that is deliberately, intentionally small. Usually that means fewer than 10 guests, and often just the two of you.
Elopements can happen anywhere: a restaurant you’ve been going to since your first date, a city park, a botanical garden, a canyon, your own backyard, or another country entirely. The guest count is low (or zero), the structure is loose, and the focus is completely on the experience of the day itself rather than the production of it. If you’re dreaming of something closer to home, eloping in Georgia offers more options than most people realize. For couples who want something more urban, this guide to boutique hotels in Atlanta covers some of the best spaces for intimate weddings and elopements in the city. If you’re drawn to the mountains, there are 14 incredible places to elope in Asheville alone. And if you’ve ever whispered “what if we just went to Italy” — that’s completely doable, and here’s exactly how to make it happen.
To see what elopements actually look and feel like across different settings, here are some real examples: Wahoo Grill, Fernbank Museum, Piedmont Park, Asheville Botanical Gardens, Old Smyrna Firehouse, and a backyard in Atlanta — all under 10 guests, all completely different days.
Then there are the couple-only days — just the two of you, no responsibilities, a lot less coordinating and steress, no performance, no audience, nowhere to be but in the moment. Decatur, Marietta Square, at home — same forma but three completely different plans.
Thinking about eloping? I’d love to hear about your day. Reach out here.
What Is a Microwedding? (And How Is It Different from Just a Small Wedding?)
A microwedding has more of the shape of a traditional wedding — just significantly smaller. We’re talking roughly 15 to 30 guests: your absolute inner circle. You might still have a ceremony space, a seated dinner, toasts, a first dance. It has the feel and the structure of a wedding, just without the 150 people.
Microweddings are growing because couples are realizing they can have the celebration they actually want without the guest list that comes from obligation. Fewer people at the table means more presence, more intimacy, more of the people who genuinely matter.
The range of what this can look like is wider than most people expect — an intimate Atlanta backyard wedding, a full-celebration-feel Atlanta microwedding, deep in the trees at Smithgall Woods State Park, and a rainy day at Wahoo Grill that proved a small guest list makes almost anything feel cozy instead of stressful.
Elopement vs. Microwedding: The Real Differences
| Elopement | Microwedding | |
|---|---|---|
| Guest count | 0–10 | 15–30 |
| Structure | Loose, experience-first | More traditional format |
| Venue | Anywhere | Often a venue or dedicated space |
| Vibe | Intimate, adventurous, free | Intimate celebration |
| Reception | Optional / flexible | Usually yes |
| Focus | The experience of the day | The celebration with your people |
| Planning | Lighter lift | More coordination involved |
The clearest way to say it: an elopement is an experience, a microwedding is a celebration. Both are intimate. Both are intentional. But they ask different things of you and your day.
I’d love to hear your plans so far, and love helping couples plan elopements! Get in touch.
How to Know Which One Is Actually Right for You
Stop thinking about what everyone else expects and ask yourself this:
What do you want the day to feel like?
If the answer is: just the two of us, somewhere beautiful, completely present, no one to perform for, no schedule to keep — that’s an elopement. The guest list conversation is over before it starts. This is especially true for couples who’ve always been drawn to a specific place. If you’re weighing national park options, the Bryce Canyon vs. Zion breakdown is genuinely useful, and the Zion and Grand Teton guides walk through what those days actually look like on the ground.
If the answer is: I want to look across a table and see the 20 people I love most, I want toasts, I want my mom crying in the front row — that’s a microwedding. And it can still be deeply intimate.
Neither is a compromise. Both are a full, real choice.
Some couples also land somewhere in the middle — a small ceremony with a tiny group of witnesses, or an elopement-style day with a few close friends folded in. There’s no rule that says you have to fit neatly into one category.
Not sure which fits your vision? Tell me about your day — I love helping couples think through what they actually want and to help plan if you’re eloping! Let’s talk.
What Elopement vs. Microwedding Means for Your Photography
Here’s what I’ve noticed after photographing both: the photography isn’t better or worse depending on which you choose. But it is different — and one of the most common questions I get is how many hours of photography you actually need, which genuinely depends on the format you choose.
With elopements, there’s an openness to the day that creates something rare. When there’s no one to perform for, couples tend to actually forget the camera is there — and that’s when the real stuff happens. I always encourage building in unstructured time: no shot list, a relaxed timeline, just you two moving through the day. If you’re considering an adventure elopement specifically, the Grand Teton adventure ideas post and the Leigh Lake elopement guide walk through how those days are actually built.
With microweddings, the story gets layered. There are guests to document — the grandmother in the third row, the best friend crying during the toast, the table full of people who have known you your whole life. Check out this Lake Blue Ridge elopement and Vines Botanical Garden elopement to see how even small guest counts create a rich visual story.
Either way, my approach is the same: stay present, stay out of the way, and document what’s actually happening. Your day doesn’t need to be performed for the camera — it just needs to be lived.
Ready to chat about your plans? Get in touch!
Frequently Asked Questions About Elopements and Microweddings
- How many guests is considered an elopement? Generally, an elopement is 10 guests or fewer — and often just the couple. There’s no legal definition, but that’s the widely accepted range in the wedding industry. If you’re over 10 guests, you’re likely crossing into microwedding territory.
- What’s the difference between a microwedding and an intimate wedding? Honestly, not much — these terms are often used interchangeably. “Intimate wedding” is a broader, less defined term that can mean anything from 20 to 75 guests depending on who’s using it. A microwedding typically refers specifically to 15–30 guests with a more intentional, pared-down approach to the day.
- Is a microwedding cheaper than a traditional wedding? Usually yes, but not always automatically. A smaller guest count lowers catering costs significantly, but couples often redirect that savings into higher-quality food, a better venue, or more meaningful details. The real advantage isn’t always the cost — it’s that you’re spending money on things that actually matter to you instead of feeding 150 people out of obligation.
- Can you have a reception at an elopement? Absolutely. Some couples elope in the morning and host a dinner with close family that evening. Others elope privately and celebrate with a larger group weeks later. There’s no rule that says an elopement has to mean no celebration — it just means the ceremony itself was yours.
- Do you need a witness to elope? It depends on your state. Most states require one or two witnesses for a legal marriage ceremony. Some officiants can serve as a witness, and in some locations you can legally self-solemnize without any witnesses at all. Check your specific state’s marriage license requirements — your officiant will also be able to guide you.
- Can family attend an elopement? Yes, but they stay under that rough 10-guest threshold. Some couples invite just parents; others bring a sibling or best friend. The key is that every person there is someone you genuinely want present — not someone you felt obligated to include.
- How long does an elopement take? It varies enormously depending on location and what you want the day to include. A simple ceremony and portraits might be two to three hours. A full adventure elopement — hiking to a location, having a ceremony, exploring, having a private dinner — can easily be a full day. There’s no wrong answer; it’s entirely about what you want the experience to feel like.
- Do I need a photographer for an elopement or microwedding? You don’t need one, but couples are glad they had one. These are still the photos you’ll look at for the rest of your life — and an elopement in particular tends to move fast and feel emotional in ways that are hard to capture on a phone propped against a rock. A good photographer also becomes part of how the day flows, especially one who knows how to let you live your day without making it a photoshoot. Not only that, but for elopements I’m helping couples plan their day as well!
Ready to Start Planning?
Whether you’re leaning elopement, microwedding, or still figuring it out — I’d love to be part of it and chat about photography. Send me a message and tell me what you have in mind!
