At The Cupcake Bar, we love doing everything we can to make our couples feel special on their big day. If you’re planning to get married in the age of the ‘rona, we want you to know that you still can have the wedding of your dreams!
In fact, getting married during a pandemic can have its upsides. Whether you’re considering a small wedding in Austin or going entirely virtual with your ceremony, there are lots of benefits to forgoing a big ceremony (for now).
Today, we’re bringing you our top 5 reasons to embrace the trend of virtual and micro-weddings.
They provide the opportunity for smaller in-person guest lists...
So what are micro-weddings, exactly? A micro-wedding is a small, intimate gathering of about 50 guests or fewer. They've surged in popularity this year, and for good reason—they provide a way to celebrate while still staying safe and socially distant.
The reality is that large gatherings simply aren’t possible or safe in many places right now. Local restrictions might be preventing all of your extended family from attending, but cutting down on the number of guests you invite means you’re creating a more intimate celebration of your love. (You can always include your mother’s boss’s cousin’s best friend in a future big gathering...but more on that in a minute.)
If you and your partner have family and friends in multiple cities, you could also consider “wedding hopping.” This involves traveling to different locations and celebrating with small groups of loved ones in each destination. Your New York cousins can celebrate with you…and then your friends in San Francisco can, too!
2. ...but greater attendance overall.
Looking to go the virtual route? Your cousins who live in London can now attend without setting foot in an airport and enduring all the headaches that come with international travel. That means your loved ones who are unable to travel don’t have to miss out—they can still take part in sharing your joy!
One thing you’ll want to research: whether it’s legal in your state to get married online. While some states (such as California and Illinois) recognize marriage ceremonies officiated through an online video platform (like Zoom or FaceTime), others do not. A quick Google search can help you learn more about the laws in your state.
3. They’re easier to customize and manage.
Even though you won’t be gathering with all of your friends and family at once, there’s still an opportunity for your personalities to shine! Even with a virtual wedding, you can play into your sense of humor with a virtual background from a far-away destination (I mean, who hasn’t dreamed of exchanging vows on a Bali beach or at Westminster Abbey?!) or treat your guests to some of your favorite things. (Our customizable interactive stations were recently featured on Brides of Austin’s website. Check out the blog post here!)
Reducing the number of guests also opens up more options for venues and dates. Want to get married in the same spot as your proposal? With a micro-wedding, it might be possible! You may also be able to tie the knot on a date that you otherwise wouldn’t, since you probably won’t have to compete with other couples for your venue.
At The Cupcake Bar, we’ve helped couples share the love with customized wedding boxes and welcome bags. Click here to learn more about how we’re helping couples celebrate their weddings right now.
4. They’re more budget-friendly—for you and your guests!
A smaller guest list means your dollars can go further. And with more flexibility in your budget, you can focus on spending money where it matters most to you and your partner.
Want to serve your guests food from your favorite local restaurant? Or maybe you’d like to give them a personalized gift you know they’ll love! You could also treat them to a fun and socially-distanced experience they’ll remember for years to come.
Smaller weddings or digital celebrations can be easier on your guests’ wallets, too. They won’t have to spend money on travel, lodging, food, hiring a babysitter, or any of the other costs associated with physically attending a wedding. In a time when many people are facing financial hardship, inviting your guests to partake in your virtual celebration can be a compassionate way to include them in your big day.
5. Say your “I do”s now… AND later!
With so many unknowns in the world, it can be hard to predict what tomorrow will bring, let alone what the world will look like in six months. Is your heart set on hosting a big gathering? Even if you might have to wait a little bit, you can still have one!
Why not make the decision to have a small ceremony now and a big celebration some time in the future? That way, you’ll get the best of both worlds! “It can be about you now, and your guests later,” says our Director of Event Operations, Kim, who is planning her own wedding right now. Removing the pressures of hosting a big wedding in the near future will allow you to focus on you, your partner, and your marriage—which is what a wedding should be all about!
Whether you’re planning on saying your “I do”s in person or online, we’d love to be a part of your celebration!
We love to think outside the cupcake box, so let us know how we can help make your wedding dreams come true.
