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Tips for Planning a Small Intimate Wedding

3.30.23

Sometimes big weddings can be too much, overwhelming, and a lot to manage. Deciding on an intimate wedding gives you freedom, flexibility, and the chance to focus on what matters most—celebrating love surrounded by your closest family and friends. If you’re wondering how to have a small, intimate wedding in Detroit, this guide will walk you through essential tips, from choosing cozy venues to working with local wedding services that make your day stress-free and unforgettable.

Finding the Perfect Micro Wedding Venues in Detroit

When it comes to a wedding with a smaller guest list (fewer than 50 people), you might think it’s quite simple to find small wedding venues in Detroit. Most venue options are quite flexible, however, some venues and caterers require a minimum amount guests in order to operate.

Tip 1: Pick a venue & caterer that is fit for your smaller wedding party size.

Being a small wedding, you are at an advantage to find unique spaces that are outside the realm of a wedding venue. Places like local bars, shops, and homes can make your wedding extra special. Imagine getting married and celebrating your wedding in a bookstore or a greenhouse. Lodges, inns, and hotels are excellent intimate spaces for you and your guests to party and spend the night.

Hosting a Small Intimate Wedding at Home

What’s more intimate than the comfort of your own home? A backyard wedding can be really fun and relaxing. However, there are a few things to be aware of when planning a wedding at home.

Look into your neighborhood’s/city’s noise ordinance to prevent any noise complaints. If you are serving alcohol at your wedding, make sure you acquire an appropriate liquor license or a bartender with a license.

Tip 2: Decide the essentials for your wedding

If you don’t want guests walking in through your house to use your restroom, get a portable bathroom facility; some nicer restrooms come with air conditioning. Be aware of parking and make sure there’s enough space for everyone. If it’s outside, consider a tent for your guests, followed by any tables, chairs, and dance floor.

Smart Budgeting Tips for Small Detroit Weddings

Like all weddings, budgeting can be stressful and difficult to plan out. Planning a small intimate wedding however means fewer mouths to feed, fewer people draining your bar, and more money in your pocket. The question is, “what to do with the money you save?”

Tip 3: Evaluate quantity vs. quality

If you plan to have a small wedding in order to save money, determine what your essentials are for the event. Prioritize your budget towards what you need and not what you want.

Lasting Photo Keepsakes

Your photos are more than just images, they become heirlooms. A professional wedding photographer in Detroit will capture the intimate details of your celebration: the laughter during toasts, the tears during vows, and the joy on the dance floor. High-quality prints, albums, and digital galleries allow you to share your love story for generations to come.

Bridal Portraits & Candid Moments

A wedding photographer can highlight the personality of your celebration through timeless bridal portraits and spontaneous shots of your guests. These images showcase the authenticity of the day in ways posed photos alone cannot.

Albums & Digital Galleries

After your wedding, professional editing turns moments into art. Couples often choose custom albums and online galleries, ensuring their story is beautifully presented and easy to share with family and friends.

Video Memories to Relive Forever

While photos capture still moments, a Detroit wedding videographer adds movement, sound, and emotion to your memories. From the exchange of vows to your first dance, a wedding film allows you to relive your special day as if it were happening all over again. With options like highlight reels, documentary-style videos, and even drone footage, your love story is told in a cinematic way.

Highlight Reels & Full-Day Coverage

A highlight reel condenses your wedding into a short, shareable film filled with emotional moments, while full-day coverage ensures no detail is missed, from the morning preparations to the sparkler send-off.

Cinematic & Documentary Styles

Every couple has a unique vision. Some prefer a cinematic wedding film that feels like a movie, while others love a documentary-style video that tells the story naturally as it unfolds. A skilled wedding videographer can tailor the final product to fit your style.

Bundling Photography and Videography Services

Many couples choose to bundle photography and videography for a seamless experience. By working with the same creative team, you ensure consistent coverage, matching styles, and a smoother timeline on the wedding day. Bundling often reduces costs compared to booking separately while giving you both professional editing and full event coverage.

With Complete Weddings + Events Detroit, you can book a wedding photographer and a videographer together, creating a package that preserves every angle of your celebration.

Plan Your Micro Wedding with Complete Weddings + Events Detroit, MI

Looking to make your wedding day perfect? Our expert wedding planners at Complete Weddings + Events Detroit can help guide you through every step of the process, ensuring your special day runs smoothly.

If you’re searching for a reliable wedding photographer or a creative videographer for storytelling that lasts a lifetime, our packages are designed to fit your vision and budget. From photojournalistic style images to documentary-style video, we’ve got you covered.

For more tips and tricks, check out some of our other wedding inspiration blogs. and follow us on FacebookInstagram, & Tiktok.

Complete Weddings + Events is Detroit’s leading provider of event and wedding photography, videography, lighting, coordinationDJ services & photo booth rental.

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