Combining intimacy with a traditional wedding feel.

It keeps the structure and elements of a wedding day
— but with a reduced guest list and a more intentional approach.

You still celebrate with your closest people
— just without the scale, pressure, or overwhelm.

What is a micro wedding?
A micro wedding is a small wedding with a limited guest list, usually between 10 and 30 people.

How many guests can a micro wedding have?
Most micro weddings include between 10 and 30 guests.

Is a micro wedding a real wedding?
Yes. A micro wedding is a full wedding, just with fewer guests.

Is a micro wedding legal in Australia?
Yes. Micro weddings follow the same legal requirements as any marriage in Australia.

Micro weddings keep many familiar elements, including:

• a small group of guests
• a ceremony with a celebrant
• a set timeline
• a reception or shared meal
• a styled setup or venue
• professional photography

It feels like a wedding — just on a smaller, more manageable scale.

Couples often choose micro weddings because they want:

• a proper wedding experience
• to include their closest people
• less stress than a large wedding
• more control over the day
• a more relaxed atmosphere
• better use of their budget

It’s about keeping what matters — and letting go of what doesn’t.

What’s the difference?

All three are valid ways to get married —
it just comes down to how many people, how much structure, and how simple you want it to be.

Micro Wedding

Small, but still a wedding.

• 10–30 guests
• structured timeline
• shared with your closest people

Best if you want a proper wedding feel without the size of a big wedding.

Elopement

Simple and personal.

• very small or no guest list
• relaxed and flexible
• focused on the two of you

Best if you want something intimate and experience-based.

Legals Only

The simplest option.

• just the legal ceremony
• minimal setup
• quick and straightforward

Best if you just want to be legally married without a full wedding.

Simple way to think about it

Micro Wedding → the celebration
Elopement → the experience
Legals Only → just the paperwork

Guest numbers are what define a micro wedding.

Most micro weddings include between 10 and 30 guests.

This allows you to include your closest people
without the scale of a large traditional wedding.

Once numbers grow beyond this, it typically becomes a full wedding.

Micro weddings are ideal for couples who:

• still want a wedding atmosphere
• want to include close family and friends
• prefer smaller, more personal gatherings
• want less stress than a large wedding
• value connection over crowd size

They’re perfect for couples who want the best of both worlds
— intimacy and celebration.

Are micro weddings just budget weddings?
No. They are intentional weddings — not just smaller budgets.

Do micro weddings feel less important?
Not at all. Many feel more meaningful because they are more personal.

Do you miss out on the wedding experience?
No. You still have the key elements — just in a more focused way.

Are micro weddings rushed?
No. They can be just as considered and planned as larger weddings.

Micro weddings can include everything you’d expect:

• a celebrant
• professional photography
• a styled ceremony
• flowers and details
• a reception or meal
• speeches
• music
• a full wedding timeline

It’s still a wedding — just scaled down.

Before deciding, consider:

• who you truly want there
• how many guests feels right
• what kind of venue suits your vision
• what parts of a wedding matter most to you
• your overall budget

A micro wedding works best when the guest list is intentional.

Micro weddings follow the same legal process as all marriages in Australia.

A Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) must be lodged at least 1 month before your wedding and can be submitted up to 18 months in advance.

How it works:

• completed with your celebrant
• can be done online or via video call
• requires identification
• confirms your legal intention to marry

This is required for all weddings — regardless of size.

Micro weddings became more common as couples began rethinking large, traditional weddings.

They gained significant popularity during COVID,
when restrictions forced smaller gatherings.

Micro weddings are a modern evolution of traditional weddings, focused on smaller guest lists and more intentional experiences.

Today, many couples choose them not out of necessity —
but because they prefer a more personal and meaningful way to celebrate.