tips from a wedding photographer

5 Reasons To Have A Micro Wedding


2020 changed the way many people celebrated their weddings; more specifically, who they celebrated them with. I have been a fan of intimate, micro and elopement celebrations for many years, and look forward to seeing the trend of small weddings blossom. My husband Brent and I eloped in Charleston, South Carolina almost 4 years ago; it was a day I had dreamed of for a long time, and I was happy to celebrate in an intimate and private setting. As a wedding photographer for many years prior to our marriage, I certainly dreamed of being surrounded by all of my friends and family, laughing and dancing the night away, but we have been adapting to a more conscious and simple lifestyle, and an elopement was the best way for us to stay true to that.


Elopements and micro weddings have their differences, (i.e. elopements tend to be just the couple while micro weddings have a small guest list) but still hold the same value. They are simple, and intentional. Having a smaller wedding makes planning much easier and saves on resources that would have otherwise been wasted at the end of a long wedding day. Smaller weddings allow you to save money, while also providing the opportunity to splurge on things you may not have wanted to spend too much on if you were having a larger celebration. You are not limited to location (we went to our favorite vacation spot) and you don’t have the stress of inviting people that you may not know very well. Intimate celebrations allow you to stay true to who you are and what you want out of your wedding day.

Below are 5 reasons to go small for your wedding this year.


  1. Less financial stress: The average wedding cost in Connecticut is almost $50,000. The number of guests you invite influences your budget, so with less guests, there’s more room in your budget to do things your way. Splurge on your vendors instead of your guests meals. Get your dream dress, book your favorite photographer, and hey, you might even be able to afford a wedding planner!
  2. More meaning attached to the day: With a smaller guest list comes a larger budget, and more options to have your celebration in a smaller venue that holds more meaning, and incorporate more details. Get married in the backyard of your childhood home, or at your favorite vacation destination.
  3. Less guilt: An intimate and intentional guest list means being surrounded by those closest to you, and not worrying about pleasing others on your special day.
  4. More time to do what you love: Spend the morning getting ready together, interact with your family and friends throughout the day without the stress of a timeline. Intimate celebrations allow for more flexibility.
  5. Less waste: The average wedding produces 400 lbs of waste, and 63 tons of carbon dioxide. Buy less and choose sustainable choices when planning your micro wedding or elopement.


Jacqueline and Joe had a small ceremony with loved ones in Central Park, and a few months later celebrated with their closest friends and family at a local bar in the city. It was such an honor to be part of the second half of their celebration, and I look forward to photographing many more small celebrations in the years to come.

Trendy Stylish Bride Groom Intimate Nontraditional Micro Wedding Elopement New York City Anaise Prince Photography
Trendy Stylish Bride Groom Intimate Nontraditional Micro Wedding Elopement New York City Anaise Prince Photography
Trendy Stylish Bride Groom Intimate Nontraditional Micro Wedding Elopement New York City Anaise Prince Photography
Trendy Stylish Bride Groom Intimate Nontraditional Micro Wedding Elopement New York City Anaise Prince Photography
Trendy Stylish Bride Groom Intimate Nontraditional Micro Wedding Elopement New York City Anaise Prince Photography
Trendy Stylish Bride Groom Intimate Nontraditional Micro Wedding Elopement New York City Anaise Prince Photography
Trendy Stylish Bride Groom Intimate Nontraditional Micro Wedding Elopement New York City Anaise Prince Photography