Are you asking, “How do I plan a small wedding?” We’re here to help! Our top 10 tips to plan a microwedding will get you started in the right direction.
Small weddings allow you to create precisely what you want without the hefty price tag. This trend also allows you to get together with the ones you’re closest to as you exchange your vows and celebrate the day.
Brampton 1860 offers a wedding day venue and luxury lodging for you and your guests. Nestled in Maryland’s Eastern Shore countryside, we provide a simple, elegant atmosphere in which you and your loved ones will enjoy comfortable, well-appointed rooms and unique spots for your ceremony and reception. Our boutique hotel is an excellent choice—check availability today.
We’ve curated these microwedding tips to guide you through planning your small wedding.
1. Define Your Vision
What is the most essential aspect of your wedding for the two of you? This is one special day dedicated to the two of you. Is family tradition important? Or do you like to pioneer your own unique path? This is the foundation for all your other decisions because it tops your list of must-haves.
2. Identify Your Budget
It’s true. Weddings, no matter how small, can inflate your budget quickly. Not only your vision but your budget will clearly identify the look and feel of your wedding day. Again, consider what is most important to you and focus your dollars on that. As you progress with your wedding plans, keep your budget in mind so you don’t stress later with large bills weighing you down. No one day is worth thousands in credit card debt!
3. Clarify Your Guest List
Guest lists can be daunting. Start with those who you cannot imagine missing your wedding day. That will narrow your list dramatically. Smaller weddings also allow you to spend more time with your guests. With larger weddings, the bridal couple is often challenged with greeting each of their guests.
4. Choose Your Destination
Once you’ve defined your vision, set your budget, and written out your guest list, you’ll better understand the type of wedding venue you need. Here are some critical questions to ask when visiting various venues.
- Availability: Is the venue available on your chosen day? Is it available at the times you need it? Do you have options for where to host your ceremony? Your reception?
- Does the venue provide the ambiance to fit your vision?
- What are the fees? Does it fit your budget? How much is the deposit? What are their cancellation policies?
- Will it accommodate your guest list?
- Can you hire outside vendors, or do they have a preferred list? (Florists, photographers, caterers, etc.)
- Do they have a dance floor? A DJ? Or can you hire your own?
- What are the approved setup and tear-down times and policies?
- Can you bring your own decor, or does the venue provide that? What’s the policy on open flames (if you want candles)?
- Does the venue provide a wedding coordinator for the day of the wedding?
5. Hire a Wedding Planner
Speaking of wedding planners (or coordinators), hiring one can truly be the best stress relief you’ve ever had. They will help make your dreams become a reality. Details are taken care of so your wedding day runs smoothly.
Here at Brampton 1860, our trusted wedding planning partners have the experience and creativity to help you take your vision to the next level. All details will be accounted for. On our 35-acre historic estate, we offer several options to host your ceremony and reception. Luxury lodging is available in our boutique hotel and cozy cottages. Our venue coordinators can share some of the unique benefits of hosting your special day here at our Chestertown Inn.
View our Wedding Lookbook for more information.
6. Hire Local Vendors
Depending on your chosen venue, you may need to source local vendors to help with flowers, a cake, etc. Many venues have their own preferred vendors with whom they work regularly.
We have partnered with excellent vendors to provide the cake, photos, flowers, and more. These are trusted partnerships, and we guarantee fantastic service from each. It’s another way we offer stress-free, intimate weddings and elopements.
7. Choose Your Focus
Again, what’s most important to you about your wedding day? Stay focused on that throughout your planning and the actual day. There’s a two-fold benefit here: 1) It develops a theme for your wedding that is followed through with every aspect; 2) It reduces stress by narrowing down your focus.
Having that focal point helps anything that doesn’t fit fall away to the sidelines. Keep your eyes on the goal. If it’s to be married at the end of the day, you can relax and enjoy whatever comes. (Besides, many times, the little missteps that may happen often become the best memories to cherish — and laugh about — as the years go by.)
8. Organize Guest Activities
At a destination wedding, add a little pizzazz and have activities prepared for your guests. Here are a few ideas.
- A welcome dinner is a great time for everyone to get to know one another or catch up on current family and friend’s lives.
- Scheduling tours of the area to see local attractions, do a little retail therapy, or take in the local culture.
- A post-wedding brunch is a fantastic way to close the celebrations. Before returning to their routines, sipping on a hot cup of coffee and savoring delicious treats together as they reminisce about the beautiful wedding day is a great send-off.
Brampton 1860 has also hosted welcome dinners on a river cruise and winery tour excursions. There are many options, and our wedding planners can help you and your guests create unique experiences.
9. Hire a Wedding Day Coordinator
You may have chosen not to hire a wedding planner if you’ve covered all the details. However, we highly recommend hiring a coordinator to take care of the details on your wedding day. You want to simply relax and enjoy every moment of this special day — without worrying about all the details. You will not regret it (it is definitely worth including in your budget).
10. Relax and Cherish Your Day
This tip, by far, is the most important. Stay flexible and take each moment in (even the missteps). Focus on your family and friends. Every moment of your day will create memories to last a lifetime.
We’ve reached the end of our top 10 tips to plan a microwedding. Are you ready to start? Take a deep breath and start with the first step, following through one step at a time.
Our wedding experts at Brampton 1860 would love to help make your dreams come true. We’re just a phone call away — 443.666.0525.