Planning a wedding or elopement is one of the most memorable experiences you can have in your life—but it can also come with some stress and a few twists and turns. With so many different styles and options, how do you choose the perfect type of wedding that reflects your unique love story? Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate elopement, a grand celebration, or something in between, there’s a wedding style out there that’s just right for you.

As an LGBTQIA+ small wedding and elopement photographer, I’ve had the honor of capturing a wide variety of marriage ceremonies, each with its own charm and personality.  I made this guide to help you discover the types of wedding or elopement vibes that suit you best!

What Types of Weddings Are There?

Whether you’re dreaming of more traditional vibes, a unique theme, or a simple ceremony, there’s really something out there for everyone!

Elopements

Elopements have evolved far beyond the old-fashioned idea of running away to get married in secret—and this is something I passionately try to address with all my content and encounters! Today, an elopement is all about having a deeply personal and intimate experience, often with just the two of you (and maybe a few close friends or family, if you want). 

When it comes to what elopements look like, they can truly be anything you want, whether you want to hike to the top of a mountain, get married in the middle of a forest, find a secluded spot on a beach, elope at your favorite local spot, or say “I do” in the comfort of your own home.

Who Are Elopements For?

The short answer? Everyone! The longer answer? Elopements are often the perfect choice for couples who:

• Prefer a more private, intimate ceremony
• Want to avoid the stress of planning larger weddings that accommodate many guests
• Love the idea of getting married in a unique location with your own timeline
• Value experience and memories over material aspects of a wedding
• Want a wedding experience that feels true to them

Pros of Elopements

• Intimacy: Focus solely on each other without distractions.
• Flexibility: Choose any location and time that suits you best.
• Can save SOME money (but not always): While elopements can generally be less expensive than bigger weddings because you save money on big venues, catering, and large guest lists, it’s important to keep in mind that many couples choose to budget those resources to experiences and other unique aspects of their elopement, which can also be costly!
• Less stress: Elopement planning still requires work, but because you won’t need to think of a large guest list, you can save a little bit of stress in that regard.
• Personalization: Tailor the ceremony to reflect your unique relationship.
• Better for the environment: Because there are generally fewer people and materials involved, you make a smaller impact on the environment.

Cons of Elopements

• Limited guests: Elopements generally are designed for few to no guests, so it may be difficult to get many friends and family members involved.
• Planning timelines can be stressful: Elopements generally require itineraries because many couples love to plan different activities and experiences throughout the day. Just like any trip planning experience, this can come with a little bit of stress.
• You might get backlash from family or friends: If you don’t have the most accepting family or have loved ones who have dreamed of attending a big wedding, letting them know that you’re planning to elope with just the two of you or a few guests may lead to some disappointment. While others shouldn’t dictate your decisions, it’s important to prepare for this possibility!

Read More: How to Elope: The Ultimate Guide

Micro or Small Weddings

A small wedding, or micro wedding, typically includes fewer than 30 guests, but depending on the couple, the number may climb to around 50 guests. The point is to blend an intimate and cozy atmosphere with some elements of traditional weddings (like having a guest list and other planned elements).

Micro weddings can also draw inspiration from anywhere. They can be cozy garden parties or held at smaller historic venues, beaches, or even abroad!

Who is a Small Wedding For?

Micro or small weddings are ideal for couples who:

• Want a balance between an intimate elopement and a larger celebration
• Prefer a more personal and relaxed atmosphere
• Wish to focus on quality time with each guest
• Want to allocate their budget to more meaningful details than a larger guest list
• Want a more customizable, flexible, and unique wedding experience

Pros of Micro Weddings

• Intimate setting: Spend quality time with each guest.
• Personal touches: Customize details to reflect your relationship.
• May save on SOME costs: Small weddings generally are less expensive than big weddings with large guests. However, as with elopements, many couples decide to allocate this saved money to other meaningful aspects of the experience, so the cost can still add up!
• Less stress: It can be easier to plan and coordinate with fewer guests involved.
• Meaningful interactions: Create lasting memories with close friends and family.

Cons of Micro Weddings

• Limited guest list: You may have to make tough decisions about who to invite.
• Venue limitations: Some venues, caterers, and liquor suppliers may have a minimum guest requirement.
• Expectations: Some family members may have expectations for a big wedding. At the end of the day, what you choose should make YOU happy, but it’s still good to be prepared for some disappointed reactions.

Read More: What’s the Difference Between an Elopement and a Small Wedding?

Courthouse Weddings 

A courthouse wedding, also known as a civil ceremony, is a legal marriage officiated by a judge or a justice of the peace at a courthouse or city hall. These ceremonies are typically brief and attended by a few close friends or family members. Sometimes, to add more flair to the big day, some couples may have a post-ceremony celebration, like a cozy dinner or casual party at home, or explore the city around the courthouse.

Who Are Courthouse Weddings For?

Couples who choose courthouse weddings might: 

• Desire a no-fuss, straightforward wedding
• Value simplicity
• Be on a tight budget
• Prefer a legal ceremony without religious or traditional elements
• Want to avoid the stress of wedding planning
• Need to get married quickly due to personal or legal reasons

Pros of Courthouse Weddings

• Cost-effective: Significantly cheaper than traditional weddings.
• Simple and quick: Minimal planning and quick execution.
• Less stress: No need to worry about extensive logistics and details.
• Legal focus: Emphasis on the legal union and commitment.
• Flexibility: Easy to plan on short notice, with the option to explore the city around the courthouse or do other fun activities.

Cons of Courthouse Weddings

• Less elaborate: They may lack the festive atmosphere of larger weddings.
• Limited guests: Typically only a small number of guests can attend.
• Less personal: They may feel less personal or romantic.
• Venue restrictions: Limited to courthouse or city hall locations.
• Less traditional: May not fulfill dreams of a traditional wedding experience (if those dreams exist!).

Macro Weddings

Macro weddings are generally what people think of when they think of a traditional celebration. These weddings usually have large guest lists of over 90 people, elaborate decorations, and require extensive planning. Macro weddings are all about going big to create a memorable experience for the couple and their guests. They may include a big ceremony, a lavish reception, and various additional events such as rehearsal dinners and after-parties.

Macro weddings can take all shapes and sizes, like in a castle, ballroom, or even on a large beach.

Who Are Macro Weddings for?

Generally, macro weddings are perfect for couples who:

• Have large families and wide social circles
• Enjoy grand, elaborate celebrations
• Want a traditional wedding experience
• Have the time, energy, and budget for extensive planning

Pros of Macro Weddings

• Grand experience: Creates a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
• Invite as many people as you want: You can invite a large number of friends and family.

Cons of Macro Weddings

• High cost: Significantly more expensive due to venue, catering, and other expenses.
• Stressful planning: Requires extensive planning and coordination.
• Less intimacy: It’s harder to spend quality time with each guest.
• Logistics: More complex logistics and potential for things to go wrong.
• Environmental impact: Larger events can have a bigger environmental footprint.

Themed Weddings

A themed wedding revolves around a specific concept, style, or idea that influences all aspects of the celebration, including decor, attire, music, and more. Themes can be as subtle or as elaborate as the couple desires, creating a cohesive and immersive experience for everyone involved. This type of wedding is intended for a couple to really show their unique styles and interests. It’s also worth noting that a themed wedding can come in different shapes and sizes and can take the form of an elopement, small wedding, macro wedding, or even a destination wedding.

Some examples of themed weddings include fairytale fantasies, characters from your favorite books or movies, seasonal themes, Disney themes, and so much more.

Who Are Themed Weddings For?

Themed weddings are ideal for those who:

• Want a wedding that reflects their unique personalities and interests
• Enjoy creativity and DIY projects
• Desire a memorable and distinctive celebration
• Love the idea of a cohesive and immersive experience

Pros of Themed Weddings

• Personalization: Reflects your unique style and interests.
• Memorable: Creates a distinctive and unforgettable experience.
• Creative freedom: Allows for extensive creativity and customization.
• Fun atmosphere: Engages guests and adds a playful element to the celebration.
• Photo opportunities: Provides unique and visually stunning photo backdrops.

Cons of Themed Weddings

• Complex planning: Requires detailed and coordinated planning.
• Potentially costly: Some themes may require specialized decor and attire, which can be costly.
• Guest participation: Some guests might not be comfortable with or enjoy the theme. It is always a good idea to give guests a choice of participation.
• Time-consuming: It can be more time-consuming to plan and execute.

Destination Weddings

A destination wedding takes place in a location away from the couple’s hometown. It’s a way to combine the joy of travel with the celebration of love. This type of wedding typically involves a smaller guest list and extends over several days, combining the wedding celebration with a mini-vacation for everyone involved.

Who Are Destination Weddings For?

Destination weddings are good choices for couples who:

• Love to travel and explore new places
• Want a unique and picturesque backdrop for their wedding
• Prefer a more intimate celebration with close friends and family
• Desire a memorable experience that combines their wedding with a getaway
• Are open to a non-traditional wedding format

Pros of Destination Weddings

• Stunning locations: Beautiful and unique backdrops for your ceremony and photos.
• Memorable experience: Creates a special and unforgettable event for both you and your guests.
• Vacation vibe: Combines the wedding with a vacation, allowing for extended celebrations.

Cons of Destination Weddings

• Higher costs: Travel and accommodation expenses can add up.
• Guest limitations: Not all invited guests may be able to attend due to travel constraints.
• Planning challenges: Coordinating from far away can be more complicated.
• Legalities: Navigating marriage laws and requirements in a foreign location can be tricky (if you decide to make it legal in another country).

Read More: How to Elope in Ireland

How to Decide What Type of Wedding You Want

Here are my top tips to help you pick which wedding type is right for you:

1. Brainstorm

At this stage, sit down with your partner and jot down all your hopes and dreams. These can include everything from simple ideas to your wildest fantasies. Discuss your epitome of the perfect dream day. It’s ok if you think it’s “unrealistic.” Often, talking about what your “no holds barred” kind of day looks like reveals things that the two of you are most excited about!

2. Search for Other Weddings

To draw more inspiration, go on social media, like Pinterest, and look up “wedding ideas” or “types of weddings.” Here, you and your partner can scroll to see if anything catches your eye. Also, take note of anything you dislike. Some wedding sites, like Zola, also have real wedding inspiration pages where you can view full galleries of a couple’s day to see their color palette and who they hired for the day!

3. Talk About Your Aesthetic Preferences

A big part of wedding and elopement planning is nailing an aesthetic that speaks to both of you. If you have different tastes, consider making a list with your non-negotiables and nice-to-haves when it comes to aesthetics. Writing everything down on paper can help you and your partner identify where you can compromise. 

4. Ask Yourself These Questions

• What kind of venue do you want (if any?)
• What season and time of year speaks to you the most?
• Do you want friends and family there?
• Are there any important ceremonious traditions you want to have?
• Do you have any shared interests that you want to incorporate?
• How intimate do you want it to feel?
• How much planning are you willing to do?
• How much are you willing to spend?

Advice From A Photographer

As someone who has captured the love stories of many couples, I want to leave you with one piece of advice: Society has a funny way of telling us how things should be. Family and close friends can also influence us to think things should be a certain way. You might have a lot of voices telling you to choose one option or the other. So, try your best to tune them out for a moment and think about what you and your partner want. At the end of the day, this is YOUR big day, and you deserve to celebrate your love in a way that makes you happiest and most comfortable.

If you’re looking for more advice when it comes to elopement or small wedding planning or are ready to book a photographer to capture your memories, reach out to me! I can’t wait to meet you and learn about your story.