Small Wedding (VRBO) Venue Cost: $6,370
We rented a VRBO for six nights which is where we hosted our ceremony and reception, as well as nightly get togethers for everyone in the days before and after the wedding.
The cost included:
- $5250 for 6 nights of lodging for us and 5 of our friends
- Event rental fee of $1000
- Event insurance of $120
Photographer: $3,000
We hired an amazing local photographer for four hours of coverage. That was enough for her to capture the final steps of us getting ready, the entire ceremony, couples pictures in an amazing mountain location off-site, and about an hour of the reception.
Food and beverage: $1,000
Our location was pretty rural which left us without any catering options that fit our vision and our budget. (Pro tip: if food is important to you, research options before deciding on your venue). Our options were to spend about $10,000 on catering or do the food ourselves. We chose to do the food ourselves.
We definitely questioned our decision for a while, but it ended up working out great. My husband is a master taco chef so we did a taco bar. We cooked all the meat a few weeks in advance and froze it and then did the final prep the day before and morning of.
The cost included:
- Chips and salsa for cocktail hour
- Ingredients for chicken, carnitas, and ground beef
- Taco shells
- Homemade pico de gallo
- Shredded cheese
- Avocados
- Chopped Onions
- Limes
- Compostable plates, utensils, and cups
- Beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages
Event Rentals: $1,150
Since we used a VRBO for our reception and ceremony we had to rent everything. Private homes are great for small weddings but you do have to keep in mind that they’re not going to have the same amenities as a traditional venue so that’s extra expense and logistics you need to deal with.
The cost included:
- Huge tent (plan B in case of weather)
- Tables
- Chairs
- Linens
- Delivery fee
Day-of-Coordination: $2,500
I was so happy I decided to hire a planner. I signed up for the day-of package, but they actually stepped in about 6 weeks before the wedding to start coordinating vendors and make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything (spoiler alert: there were a lot of things I hadn’t considered). They also provided an extra set of hands to set up and keep food and beverages stocked which was a lifesaver.
Every wedding planner will have a different set of offerings, but here’s what mine included:
- Decorations—this was a huge win
- Set up (including handling my DIY florals)
- Coordination starting 6 weeks out
- Rehearsal support
- Vendor logistics on site
- Day-of handling of absolutely everything
- Break down
Dessert: $150
We chose cupcakes from a local baker. Wedding cake wasn’t important to us so this worked great.
Wedding Ring $1,100
We both did custom rings, this cost was for my husband’s. I chose not to have a wedding band.
Florals $225
I am a total flower gal (I actually volunteer at a flower farm), but I had decided not to prioritize florals in my budget. I sort of left this one to the last minute, but eventually landed on dried florals from Etsy.
I ordered two bouquets, one of which I had the day-of coordinators break down into bud vases for table decor. Get my exact bouquet here.
The cost included:
- Two bouquets
- One boutonniere
Attire: $1,850
This was pretty standard. I definitely tried to find the most inexpensive dress I could without looking cheap (David’s Bridal for the win!)
- Shoes
- Dress and alterations
- Suit
Miscellaneous Hosting Expenses: $700
We hosted a few evenings before and after the wedding, so this was for additional food and drinks.
Things we Didn’t Spend Money On
Hair and makeup
I did my own hair and makeup because I have really short hair and don’t usually wear a lot of makeup. I think I spent a total of 45 minutes getting ready— super casual, but I just preferred it that way!
Cake
As I mentioned, this wasn’t something that was very important to us so we didn’t have one.
Officiant
In Colorado, you don’t need an Officiant so we had one of our close friends do the readings and guide us through our vows. It was really special and meaningful having him do that for us.
Music/DJ
This was a sticky one and had us stressing up until the day before. If you don’t hire a DJ, you’ll have to find someone to run your music. That means starting and stopping the right songs as you walk up the aisle and then back down again as a married couple. Worth noting, this person usually helps corral people and get them to the right area according to the schedule. It’s a little easier with a small wedding, but you still need someone to do that. Just keep that in mind if you decide to go the playlist route.
Save the Dates or Invitations
I created a simple save the dates on Canva and emailed or texted it to my half of the guest list. My husband did the same for his. We repeated the process with invitations. We leveraged our wedding website for RSVPs and the link was on the invite.
Wedding Favors
This wasn’t something that was important to us so we skipped it.
Final Tips for Managing Micro Wedding Costs
- Setting a realistic budget from the start
- Prioritizing spending on key elements (venue, food, etc.)
- Flexibility with dates and vendors for cost savings
The cost of a micro wedding can vary significantly depending on your choices, but with a smaller guest list and smart budgeting, you can create an intimate and meaningful celebration without the financial stress of a large-scale wedding. By focusing on what’s most important and being mindful of where you spend, you can plan a micro wedding that feels both personal and affordable. Remember, the beauty of a micro wedding lies in its flexibility—tailor it to fit your vision and your budget.
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