With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world seemed to come to a sudden halt. Stores closed, social distancing was enforced and events were canceled. Everyone in the world had to adapt to these changes and find ways to still celebrate the happy moments during this difficult time. Loving couples who had unfortunately planned a grand wedding during the times of social distancing had to find a new plan. Microweddings became the new normal for many couples. They can be just as meaningful as a large-scale event and are perfect for the time we’re in now. Even though the pandemic seems to be dying down, microweddings are still a wonderful option to explore.
In This Article:
- Microweddings Explained
- The Benefits of a Microwedding
- The Benefits of Chartering a Cruise For Your Microwedding
- Destination Ideas For Your Microwedding
- Your Big Day is Important To Us
Microweddings Explained
We all know what a typical wedding looks like, but what makes a microwedding different? What is it exactly?
A microwedding is a small, intimate gathering celebrating the love shared between two individuals as they unite in matrimony. Think of it as a regular wedding, but on a smaller scale. For some, that means a smaller venue which will in turn, affect the amount of food, flowers and other amenities needed. While every microwedding looks different, most microweddings share one thing in common: fewer guests. Where once you may have planned for over 200 guests, now your list may just include close family and friends. A good rule of thumb to follow is keeping the number of guests at 20 people or less, though this isn’t a strict rule.
Microweddings are also different from elopement weddings in that they have a little more structure and planning. Typically, the guest list for an elopement wedding will include the couple and a witness. Venues aren’t a requirement and these weddings can be done anywhere. As opposed to popular belief, not all elopement weddings are performed in secret but they are incredibly intimate and small-scale, requiring very little planning or preparation.
Microweddings, on the other hand, still replicate the nature and feel of a large-scale wedding but are reduced to a manageable size. In essence, microweddings are the perfect combination of a traditional and elopement wedding, bringing the best parts of each to the table.
The Benefits of a Microwedding
Microweddings have a lot of advantages to offer couples planning their nuptials.
1. Fewer Guests
First and foremost, fewer guests are a staple of microweddings and also one of their biggest advantages. Large, traditional weddings often call for an enormous guest list, sometimes comprising of over 200 people. Sending out invites, setting up a seating chart and managing the pure number of guests can be overwhelming. If you choose a microwedding, you can keep the guest list small, intimate and packed with your close family and friends, who you know will respect you and your boundaries. It will be easy to contact all attendees to inform them of any changes or updates. Fewer guests also means that more effort can be spent in other areas, such as the venue or catering.
2. Less Stress
There are a lot of factors that go into planning the perfect wedding. Contacting and inviting the guest list, buying the dress, organizing the bridesmaids and groomsmen, choosing food vendors and picking decor. It can all seem so overwhelming at it takes a lot of joy out of organizing what’s supposed to be one of the best days of your life. With a microwedding, everything is on a smaller scale and becomes much simpler to coordinate. With all of this anxiety taken out of the picture, there is more time to focus on what really matters: cherishing the time spent with your significant other surrounded by loved ones.
3. Quality Time
There are many stories from traditional weddings of the bride and groom being so overwhelmed during their ceremony and reception that everything seemed to pass by in a haze. During the reception, every guest is trying to pull you in one direction or another to get in their greetings and congratulations. Since microweddings are at a smaller scale by nature, there won’t be nearly as many guests clamoring for your attention. More time can be spent living in the moment, relishing in the fruits of your labor and enjoying the prospect of a new future with your significant other.
4. Unique Experiences
With a traditional wedding, you’re more restricted with what you can do, either as a result of the venue or the massive guest list. Microweddings offer extra room to do something a little more special. You can opt to have live painters, performance artists or a fine dining experience. The options are endless and the only restriction is your own imagination.
5. Achieving Your Dream Wedding
Some venues are only able to accommodate a certain number of people. The same goes for certain vendors. With a microwedding, more options become available to you so you can plan the wedding you’ve always dreamed of. If there’s one venue you’ve had your eye on for years, now you can go for it! If intimate, cozy decor is more your style, then now you’re free to decorate to your heart’s content. No matter what you’ve got in mind, microweddings give you more options to pick from so that the vision in your mind’s eye can become a reality.
The Benefits of Chartering a Cruise For Your Microwedding
Now that you’ve become familiar with all the benefits that microweddings have to offer, all that’s left to do is start planning. There are many viable options when it comes to picking your venue, but one often overlooked choice is chartering a cruise to hold your dream wedding. Windstar Cruises offer an exemplary experience that is sure to make your special day all the more amazing. When you choose to charter a Windstar Cruise for your microwedding, you’re sure to experience all of the benefits that come with it.
1. Everything is Included
When you charter a cruise for your microwedding, many things are already taken care of so you don’t have to worry about them. The venue is the cruise destination itself, catering is carried out by the onboard staff and even the bar is included. Plenty of space is available for guest accommodations and VIP service is included to make everything run smoothly. With all of these factors handled by the staff of the cruise, you can spend more time focusing on your guests, picking cake flavors or finding the perfect dress.
2. Personalized Planning Help
With the help of a vacation planner, the process of organizing your perfect wedding can become even easier. Since these planners are made available to you through cruise lines, they can help you handle every detail of your big day, tailored specifically for you. They’ll take into account your design elements, the number of guests, destination location and all other factors to help you plan everything from the ceremony to the reception afterward.
3. Excellent Backdrops for the Perfect Photoshoot
Windstar Cruises take you all over the world, so there are plenty of destination options to choose from. These picturesque locations are sure to make your wedding photos stand out and will make for the best memories for you and your guests. And the best part is that since it’s a microwedding, you’ll actually have the time to really take in your surroundings and bask in the natural beauty of the world. You can even customize your itinerary and spend time amongst the different cultures of the destination you choose.
4. More Privacy
When you charter a cruise, you’re able to get more privacy than you would at a hotel or other venue. The cruise is only accessible to the invited guests and the staff. You don’t have to worry about any wedding crashers ruining the celebration and taking away from your moment.
5. A More Relaxed Environment
Planning a wedding is stressful, even if it’s small. But when you charter a cruise, everything is included and vacation planners are there to help you every step of the way. Being among friends and family without the threat of interruption from strangers can take away a lot of the stress that weddings create. Best of all, a destination wedding is exciting, and traveling to a new place with your significant other and the ones you love most can seem more like an intimate vacation than anything else.
Destination Ideas For Your Microwedding
Chartering a cruise for your microwedding offers so much versatility that it’s hard to choose anything else. With the venue already picked and ready to go, all that’s left to do is pick your cruise’s destination. Windstar Cruises sail all across the globe to some of the most breathtaking and culturally enriching locations. Wherever your heart wants to take you, we’re sure to have a destination that’s perfect for your special day. Here are just a few destination ideas for your microwedding:
Italy
Italy is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. Whether you’re headed to the big cities or small villages, Italy has something to offer for everyone. The beautiful beaches and stunning architecture are perfect backdrops for all your wedding photos, and the rich culture can add the perfect flavor to your big day. The authentic Italian cuisine and wine are just one of many enriching experiences offered in this beautiful country. Windstar Cruises ports in many of Italy’s most popular cities, including Rome and Venice, where you can be swept away by the enriching history and beautiful landscapes. As one of the most romantic countries in the world, a wedding in Italy could never disappoint.
Greece
Home to the Greek gods, Greece makes a stunning destination for any wedding. The ancient architecture and rich history bring a unique experience to the table that can’t be had anywhere else. The Grecian temples and ancient theaters will make you feel as if you’ve walked through time, and the culture today is lively and expansive. There is seemingly no end to the food, wine and song to be experienced in this delightful country. You can travel to Athens and explore the world of the gods as you start your life with your significant other.
The Caribbean
There is more to the Caribbean than old tales of pirates, mermaids and lost treasure. This region can make for one of the most beautiful wedding destinations on the planet. The clear ocean waters and white sandy beaches make for perfect photo opportunities and provide a relaxing, warm environment for all guests. You can sail to San Juan and delve into the beautiful culture of Puerto Rico or travel to St. Maarten and experience the turquoise waters and breathtaking mountain ranges. The natural beauty of the Caribbean is something to behold, and nothing else compares.
Asia
The vast continent of Asia has so much to offer, you’re sure to find something that meshes perfectly with the vision you have for your wedding. There are such a number of rich cultures and scenic landscapes to explore that you’ll want for nothing. There is so much to experience, from food to music to dance. You can choose from one of Asia’s most popular tourist destinations, such as Tokyo or Singapore, or you can island hop through Japan and experience the diversity of their culture. Cherry blossoms also begin blooming during the spring months and can make a perfect location for wedding photos.
Australia and New Zealand
For animal-loving couples, these two destinations are perfect. Australia and New Zealand boast all kinds of wildlife species native to the land. But there is so much more than just amazing animals to these locations. The sandy beaches and national parks are perfect for couples who love the outdoors. One of Australia’s crown jewels also happens to be the Sydney Opera House, where you can enjoy a live performance. New Zealand also happens to be the home of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, making it a perfect destination for book or film enthusiasts.
Mediterranean
The Mediterranean makes a perfect wedding destination for couples who enjoy a sunny environment, picturesque landscapes and delightful cuisine. There are a number of cultures to experience and never a lack of locales to visit. You can visit Barcelona and delight in the wonders of Spain or port in Lisbon and experience the world of Portugal. Whether you’re in it for the ancient histories and complex yet stunning architecture or for the cuisine and the enriching modern culture, the Mediterranean has something for everyone. Your wedding guests will be sure to thrive in such a rich environment.
Your Big Day is Important To Us
We at Windstar Cruises know just how important your wedding day will be and that these memories will be some of the most important ones you’ll make. There is so much that goes into planning and perfecting that it can be overwhelming. Getting married shouldn’t seem like a chore. Let us handle the big stuff so that you can spend your time with those you love most. We have so many destinations to choose from and exemplary service across the board. Whether you’re looking to charter one of our cruises for a small group or have the entire ship to yourself, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today to start planning your dream wedding!
