TL;DR: A micro wedding (under 50 guests) needs about 60–70 checklist items across 6–9 months — roughly half the tasks of a traditional wedding. Skip the save-the-dates, ballroom hunt, and full bridal party logistics; focus on a tight venue, a per-guest experience, and vendors who actually take small bookings.

Direct answer

A micro wedding checklist is a compressed version of the standard planning list, tuned for 10–50 guests. You still handle the legal paperwork, vendor contracts, and day-of logistics — but you cut about 40% of the tasks tied to scale (mass invitations, transportation, seating politics, huge catering orders).

Most couples plan a micro wedding in 6–9 months, though 3–4 months is realistic if your guest list is under 30 and you're flexible on date. Expect to spend $8,000–$25,000 depending on location, venue type, and whether you do a full dinner or a shorter ceremony-plus-reception.

Practical sections

6–9 months out: lock the foundation

• Set the guest count ceiling. Decide your hard cap (20? 35? 50?) before anything else. It drives every other decision.
• Pick a date range, not a date. Small venues and favorite vendors book up; flexibility buys you options.
• Set the budget. Use a per-guest lens: a $20,000 budget at 30 guests is ~$667/person — plenty for a premium experience.
• Book the venue. Restaurants with private rooms, small inns, backyards, vineyards, and elopement-friendly hotels are your strongest options. Ask specifically if they host groups under 50.
• Book the officiant. Smaller weddings often use a friend-officiant — check your state's rules 6+ months out.
• Book the photographer. 4–6 hours of coverage is usually enough for a micro wedding.

4–6 months out: vendors and guests

• Send invitations directly (paper or digital). Skip save-the-dates unless guests are traveling — a single, personal invite is enough.
• Book catering. Restaurant buyouts, family-style dinners, and chef-led tasting menus shine at this size.
• Book flowers, hair/makeup, and any rentals. At 30 guests you often need just a few centerpieces and personal flowers.
• Order attire. Allow 8–12 weeks for alterations.
• Decide on music. A DJ is often overkill; a playlist plus a ceremony musician works for most micro weddings.

2–3 months out: logistics

• Apply for the marriage license (timing varies by state — some expire in 30–90 days).
• Finalize the menu and headcount.
• Plan the ceremony script. With fewer guests, readings and personal vows land harder — lean into it.
• Book lodging blocks if guests are traveling, or a single Airbnb for the wedding party.
• Arrange a rehearsal dinner — at this size, it's often just the whole guest list at a casual restaurant.

2–4 weeks out: final details

• Confirm timeline with every vendor in writing.
• Send a short schedule to guests (start time, dress code, parking, address).
• Pick up the marriage license.
• Assemble a day-of emergency kit.
• Pay remaining vendor balances.

Week of

• Final headcount to caterer.
• Delegate 3–5 small tasks (gift transport, vendor tips, music cue) to a trusted friend or day-of coordinator.
• Rehearse the ceremony once, even informally.

What you can skip

• Save-the-dates
• A wedding website (a single email works)
• Wedding party (or keep it to 1–2 each)
• Printed programs, menus, escort cards (optional at this size)
• Transportation shuttles
• Full-service planners (a day-of coordinator at $800–$1,500 is usually enough)

Build your checklist in 2 minutes

Skip the generic list. Our wedding checklist generator builds a personalized task list based on your guest count, date, and budget — and flags which traditional tasks you can cut for a micro wedding.

Related pages

• Wedding Checklist Generator
• Complete Wedding Checklist Guide
• Standard Wedding Checklist
• Common Wedding Checklist Mistakes
• 12-Month Wedding Checklist
• Wedding Budget Guide

FAQ

How many guests counts as a micro wedding?

Most vendors and venues define a micro wedding as 10 to 50 guests, with the sweet spot around 20–35. Anything under 10 is usually called an elopement or intimate ceremony, and 50–75 starts to require standard wedding logistics (seating charts, full bar, transportation).

How far in advance should I plan a micro wedding?

6–9 months is ideal, but 3–4 months is workable if your guest list is under 30. The main constraint is venue and photographer availability, not vendor lead times — small venues often book 6–12 months out for Saturdays in peak season (May, June, September, October).

Do I need a wedding planner for a micro wedding?

Usually no — a day-of coordinator ($800–$1,500) is enough for 95% of micro weddings. Full-service planners make sense only if you're doing a destination wedding, have a complex venue with no in-house coordinator, or genuinely don't have time to manage vendor communication yourself.

What can I cut from a traditional wedding checklist?

Skip save-the-dates, formal invitations-plus-RSVPs (a direct invite works), wedding websites, shuttles, printed programs and menus, and a full wedding party. You can also usually skip a DJ, a day-of hair-and-makeup trailer for the whole party, and rehearsal dinner formalities.

How much does a micro wedding actually cost?

Micro weddings typically run $8,000–$25,000, though luxury micro weddings at high-end restaurants or resorts can reach $40,000+. The biggest variables are venue (25–40% of budget), food and beverage (30–40%), and photography (10–20%). Per-guest costs are often higher than large weddings because fixed vendor costs spread across fewer people.

Do I still need a marriage license and officiant?

Yes — a micro wedding is still a legal wedding. You need a marriage license from your county (apply 1–3 months out depending on state), an officiant authorized in that state, and typically one or two witnesses. If a friend is officiating, confirm your state's rules — some require ordination and filing in advance.

Should I have a wedding party at a micro wedding?

Optional, and often skipped. If you do want one, keep it to 1–2 people per side — a maid of honor and best man, or just a single witness each. At 30 guests, a wedding party of 10 starts to look larger than the guest list itself.

Sources

• The Knot 2024 Real Weddings Study
• WeddingWire Newlywed Report 2024
• Zola Annual First Look Report
• Brides.com Vendor Cost Guides

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