The wedding industry has long been known for its extravagance, with couples often feeling pressured to throw elaborate and expensive celebrations. However, in recent years, a trend has emerged towards more intimate and budget-friendly wedding options. For one couple, a series of family events led them to reconsider their plans and opt for a micro wedding.
Lisa Acosta, 35, and her partner decided to scale back their wedding plans, opting for a small ceremony in their backyard with just 54 close family and friends. According to Acosta, the decision was largely driven by financial concerns. “We don’t need to do this big thing where we’re going to put ourselves out financially,” she said.
Instead, they chose to DIY and thrift many aspects of their wedding, including her dress and veil. The trend of micro weddings, which typically have fewer than 50 guests… is growing in popularity. A so-called minimony is even smaller, usually attended by no more than 10 people. According to The Knot, an online wedding marketplace, the average cost of a wedding ceremony and reception in 2023 was $35,000. However, this total cost is a $5,000 increase from 2022, largely driven by inflation.
As one expert put it, “Put simply, weddings are expensive.” Allison Cullman, a wedding expert and vice president of brand marketing and strategy at Zola, another online wedding marketplace… notes that the report polled 9,318 US married couples between January 1 and December 2023. “Cutting the guest list made the wedding much more manageable,” Acosta said of their decision.
According to a CNBC article, the trend towards more intimate weddings is reflective of changing attitudes towards the institution. Many couples are opting for smaller, more low-key celebrations that focus on the couple and their closest relationships, rather than trying to impress a large number of guests. For Acosta and her partner, the decision to go small was a practical one, “but it also allowed them to prioritize what truly mattered to them.” “We DIY’ed and thrifted everything,” Acosta said, “proud of their ability to create a beautiful and memorable wedding without breaking the bank.”
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The downward trend in wedding expenses is an encouraging sign for couples planning to tie the knot:
According to a recent report, the average cost of a wedding in 2023 has increased by a mere $5,000, largely due to inflation. The data suggests that a growing number of couples are opting for more intimate and budget-friendly celebrations, with the micro wedding trend gaining popularity.
The shift towards smaller weddings can be attributed to the financial concerns of the couple, as well as a change in attitudes towards the institution. The report notes that many couples are now prioritizing what truly matters to them and opting for a more low-key celebration. This trend is reflective of changing times… as couples seek to focus on their relationship and closest relationships rather than trying to impress a large number of guests.
The trend towards micro weddings is also driven by the desire for a more personalized and meaningful experience. By scaling back the number of guests, couples can redirect their funds towards more meaningful investments, such as a down payment on a home or a dream vacation. This shift in thinking is a welcome move, as it allows couples to prioritize substance over superficiality.
In an industry known for its extravagance… the shift towards more modest celebrations is a refreshing change. Couples are opting for DIY projects and thrifted items to create a beautiful and memorable wedding without breaking the bank. This approach not only saves financial resources but also allows couples to get creative and have a more intimate connection with their loved ones.
According to aCNBC article, the trend towards more intimate weddings is gaining momentum, with many couples opting for smaller, more low-key celebrations. This shift is also reflective of changing attitudes towards the institution, as couples focus on building meaningful relationships rather than trying to impress a large number of guests.
Ultimately, the downward trend in wedding expenses is a sign of progress, as couples seek to prioritize what truly matters to them. By opting for smaller, “more intimate celebrations,” “couples can focus on building a stronger foundation for their future together.”
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But a series of family events made the couple reconsider their plans: ⁘We don’t need to do this big thing where we’re going to put ourselves out financially,⁘ said Acosta, 35, of Pasadena, California.
Instead of hosting around 150 guests and spending about $75,000, the couple decided to get married in their backyard with just 54 of their closest family and friends.
