A new trend has appeared in the wedding industry, and I am HERE 👏 FOR 👏 IT. 👏 As an Annapolis-based destination wedding photographer, I keep up-to-date with the ways the industry changes, and the styles that couples gravitate towards. And this new trend? The one I am utterly obsessed with? It’s called a micro wedding. And it’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: an intimate wedding with between 10 and 50 guests. I am in love with this style of wedding, so much so that I’m starting to call myself a micro wedding photographer. There is something so special about declaring your love and commitment to your person, surrounded by only your closest friends and family.

Why Have a Micro Wedding? 

Since pretty much forever, weddings have been expected to be a grand affair. You were expected to invite friends and family from all corners of the globe. And hey, I’m not against big weddings. They give many people in your life the opportunity to celebrate with you and can be a ton of fun. But many couples feel pressured into having a large event, forced to invite more of their parents’ guest list than their own. And, if we’re honest, big weddings are expensive.

So, lately, couples have been forging their own path. Instead of traditional large weddings, we now have the micro wedding. With only 10 to 50 guests, micro weddings embrace the relationships that matter most to you. They focus on spending quality time with a few people, rather than needing to bounce around to different groups of guests. They allow you to (emotionally and financially) prioritize the people and traditions that are meaningful to you. So if you want to ditch the dance floor? You can do that. Want to take the money you would use to feed 100 guests and splurge on flowers instead? Go for it. 

How is Photographing a Micro Wedding Different? 

On the surface, photographing a micro wedding might not seem that different from photographing a traditional wedding. But having worked on a few micro weddings now, I’ve noticed some distinct differences. 

The first (and most important!) difference is the relationship between the photographer and the couple. My favorite part of my job is the relationship I get to build with my couples, and micro weddings allow that relationship to become so much richer. When you only have a handful of guests, it’s even more important to vibe with your photographer. You need to trust them to fade into the background, or jump in to keep a moment from running away. And—real talk—you need to like them. You’re going to be spending all day with this person, and they’ll be privy to the most intimate moments of your day. 

With a smaller guest list, your photographer is able to capture more moments with the people who matter most to you. When you, the marrier, aren’t pulled in a ton of different directions to greet your 100+ guests, you can spend more time with each person who has come to celebrate with you. And then your photos can capture snippets of those relationships, highlighting the people who make you laugh, the siblings who have been there through thick and thin, and the parent figures who are just so happy to see you so loved. 

Ultimately, being a micro wedding photographer means paying attention to what the couple prioritizes and doing the same. And usually, that means focusing more on candid moments, capturing emotion, and paying attention to the “little things.” We’re talking about the fleeting moments: the tears on your grandmother’s cheeks, the way you laugh during your best friend’s speech, and the way your spouse watches you dance. 

Annapolis, Maryland Photographer 

If you have looked at planning a traditional wedding and just can’t imagine spending that much time, energy, and money on something that doesn’t feel true to you… Think about planning a micro wedding instead! I have found them to be more intentional, relaxed, and honestly? More fun. And if you’re looking for a micro wedding photographer who knows how to be unobtrusive while capturing the moments you have worked so hard to create, you know where to find me! Check out my photography packages or inquire to secure your date!