Mini and Micro weddings are the future….for now
It doesn’t sound appealling does it? You have waited a long time, planned and organised, maybe even spent a whole heap of cash and this damn coronavirus kicked us in the teeth. Well, ever considered an mini or micro wedding? Mini and micro weddings are happening. And people who want to get married just are!
How? What IS a mini or micro wedding? Well, in my case, I am tailoring bespoke quotes and packages to whatever it is the couple want or can do within the restrictions of their wedding.
For instance, this micro wedding at the lovely Chelsea Old Town Hall in London was lovely. No more than 20 people, everyone had to be masked within the rooms until the registrars had left and the same love, fun, affection, smiles and happiness was there the whole time. What couldn’t happen was the large party, the large gathering, the dancing and so on, but…..you know what? Its a mini or micro wedding. You go into it knowing this. It isn’t ideal, of course it isn’t, for everyone involved. Weddings normally are about celebration, partying, letting your hair down. But these guys simply just wanted to get married, so why not make the use of a mini or micro wedding within the regulations and restrictions and just do what it is you need to do……which is marry the love of your life.
Embrace the mask!!! Chelsea Old Town Hall wouldn’t allow anyone to remove their mask, including the bride and groom, until the registrars themselves had left the room. Didn’t stop the smiles though!
When the ceremony was happening, the couple and the registrars could remove their masks. Everyone else sat socially distanced and with mask.
Once the ceremony of the micro wedding was over, the registrars left the room and people could remove their masks, but had to remain socially distanced.
Once outside, social distancing was then to the discretion of the wedding party, which was within the household and gathering numbers (at the time of this wedding. It was changed again not too long after this).
And a mini or micro wedding doesn’t stop you from getting great photos that showcase your day as it was.
Then off for a very small gathering at The Ivy, Chelsea for a easy, simple get together.
A room was set aside at The Ivy, Chelsea for these events to actually happen. No mingling with any other restaurant attendees, all contained and once the meal was done, everyone went about their days. All rather lovely
But there are many ways that a mini or micro wedding can be held. This wedding I did on the first day of restriction lifting back in July was a traditional church wedding and then a small gathering at a family members house afterwards. All distancing was in place, masks again work when they should be and the vigilance of the vicar was excellent. Guest numbers reached the 30 within the church all within the guidelines. As the bride was Brazillian, her family couldn’t be there so they did an Instagram Live to her family while the ceremony was happening! It was really rather lovely.
Notice the pews were not all full. An empty pew was between each family group who were together to ensure distancing.
Video streams to family and friends who can’t be there is now becoming more and more popular. Zoom streams, Instagram Live, FaceTime etc have all been used to great effect.
You can see from the camera angles that my positioning and movement was severely restricted, but by talking through with the vicar beforehand, we worked out where would be best and how limited my movement could be to get the best images. It can still work with good co-operation
The church and the vicar installed a “one way” system to ensure there was no crossing of paths or distance encroachment and all things done for the ceremony were done isolated unless in a bubble
Outside the church, distancing was still maintained as much as possible with the location and its restrictions (there was a road literally right behind me while taking this image, so nowhere else for people to go!)
And then of course the obligatory couples shots that can still look great even while socially distancing.
Can even still get creative too!
Of course, play it right, work it right and no-one would even tell I am quite a distance away!
So don’t despair! I hope this illustrates that of course the world has gone mad right now. Life has gone a bit weird. But the mini or micro wedding can still give you most of the joy and happiness you wanted from your wedding. I have couples already who have opted for this then booking a big celebration in the future when we can all hope that this has all settled down and goes back to some kind of normality. And I think you get the best of both worlds…..the wedding for your intimate family and friends then a heck of a party when we can all let loose and get on with our lives.
Worth considering? I am happy to chat to you about a mini or micro wedding and capture the fun of that for you. Interested? Well, get in touch! Happy to talk you through things, you can let me know your plans. Let’s do this!!! In your face Coronavirus!!!