The term "small wedding" is a broad category encompassing various styles and sizes. Here's a breakdown of the most popular types:

Elopement

• Focus: Prioritizes spontaneity, intimacy, and a focus on the couple's connection.
• Guest Count: Typically just the couple, sometimes with one or two witnesses.
• Characteristics: Often involves a surprise element, a scenic location, and a focus on adventure or personal meaning.
• Benefits: Highly affordable, stress-free, and deeply personal.

Micro Wedding

• Focus: Emphasis on a very small guest count and a streamlined, efficient celebration.
• Guest Count: Typically 50 guests or fewer, often significantly smaller.
• Characteristics: May include key traditional wedding elements but on a much-reduced scale. Often held in unique, non-traditional venues.
• Benefits: More intimate and personal than larger weddings, more budget-friendly, and less stressful to plan.

Boutique Wedding

• Focus: Emphasis on style, design, and a curated experience with a focus on quality over quantity.
• Guest Count: Typically 50-100 guests.
• Characteristics: Strong attention to aesthetics, including décor, florals, and cuisine. Often involves unique or luxury venues.
• Benefits: Allows for a more personalized and luxurious experience while still maintaining a manageable guest list.

Intimate Wedding

• Focus: Emphasis on creating a warm, personal, and meaningful atmosphere with a focus on genuine connection and shared experiences.
• Guest Count: Variable; it's more about the feeling than a specific number.
• Characteristics: Strong emotional connection between the couple and their guests. May involve personalized rituals, heartfelt speeches, and shared activities.
• Benefits: Creates a strong sense of community and shared joy, allowing for deeper connections with loved ones.

Key Distinctions:

• Guest Count: Elopements are the smallest, followed by micro-weddings, boutique weddings, and then intimate weddings (which can vary in size).
• Emphasis: Elopements prioritize spontaneity and intimacy, micro-weddings prioritize efficiency and simplicity, boutique weddings prioritize style and curation, and intimate weddings prioritize connection and emotion.

Ultimately, the best type of small wedding depends on the couple's individual preferences and priorities.