THE PETITE PEONI | GUIDE TO SMALL WEDDINGS | ST PETE, FL
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Micro-weddings, Elopements and Everything In Between: A Clear Guide for Couples
Authored by Rema Merrick + Published December 1, 2025
Summary
Planning a small wedding can be both deeply personal and beautifully practical, but many couples don’t realize how many intimate options exist. In this guide, I’m sharing the different types of small weddings available today, including micro-weddings, elopements, mini-monies, and pop-ups. I’ll also share what I learned from planning both an elopement during the height of COVID and a later micro-wedding in St. Petersburg, Florida. My hope is that this gives you clarity, inspiration, and confidence as you explore the possibilities for your own celebration.
Introduction
During the height of the COVID pandemic, my husband and I decided to elope and save a celebration with friends and family for later, once things felt safer. I searched for something beautiful but simple; I found the perfect spot: Stonehurst Place, a charming bed and breakfast in Midtown Atlanta. We exchanged vows, shared a first dance, and cut cake with just the officiant, his wife, and our photographer. It was intimate, heartfelt, and absolutely perfect for us. To boot, I was able to book it less than a month in advance. After our ceremony, my husband and I shared dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Atlas, located in the St. Regis Atlanta hotel.
After the pandemic calmed and we settled into our new home in St. Petersburg, Florida, we wanted to bring our loved ones together for something a little bigger. I planned an intimate micro-wedding for 40 close family members and friends at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts. Even with a small guest list, it included everything you’d expect from a traditional wedding—an emotional ceremony, cocktail hour, DJ and dancing, sit-down-plated dinner, and thoughtful details that made it feel magical.
Before planning my own weddings, I honestly hadn’t considered that there were so many intimate options for celebrating. I’ve never loved being the center of attention, and I naturally prefer smaller, more meaningful gatherings. Because of that, both an elopement and a micro-wedding worked perfectly for my husband and me.
And that’s why I wanted to write this guide. I learned so much during the process, and I want to share what I discovered with couples who might be wondering if a smaller celebration is right for them.
Let’s explore the different types of small, intimate weddings.
Types of Small Weddings
Micro-wedding
A micro-wedding typically includes 20 to 50 guests. It mirrors many aspects of a traditional wedding—ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, dancing—and usually includes a full vendor team (venue, photographer, planner, officiant, florist, caterer, etc.). The biggest difference is the scaled-down guest list, allowing couples to splurge on details that matter most (catering, decor, etc.)
Elopement
An elopement can be planned quickly, but it doesn’t have to be. It typically includes the couple, the officiant, one or two witnesses, and sometimes a handful of guests—usually 10 people or fewer. Elopements often include a ceremony followed by a special meal, but not a full reception. They may take place at a courthouse, a city hall, or a scenic spot like a beach, garden, or mountaintop.
Mini-mony
A mini-mony is a short, simple ceremony with fewer than 10 guests. It’s intentionally minimal and usually not followed by a dinner or reception. Sometimes mini-monies are planned with the intention of have a larger celebration at a later date. It’s often the right fit for couples who want something sincere, quick, and low-key.
Pop-Up Wedding
A pop-up wedding is a spontaneous celebration with 10 to 25 guests who are invited casually just a few days before. Think of it as the wedding equivalent of hosting a last-minute dinner party at home. These weddings are intimate, fun, informal, and often involve a simple ceremony followed by drinks or a small meal. Pop-up weddings don't usually include formal invitations for guests,. This is an opportunity to be creative and really allow your personalities to shine.
Micro-wedding
Guest Count
20-50
Planning Time
3 to 12 months (moderate) *
Typical Elements
Ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, full vendor team
Vibe and Feel
Intimate with traditional elements
Ideal For
Couples who want the full wedding experience with a smaller guest count
Elopement
Guest Count
2-10
Planning Time
Days, weeks or months (short) *
Typical Elements
Ceremony and optional intimate dinner
Vibe and Feel
Personal and quiet
Ideal For
Couples who prefer privacy or dislike being the center of attention
Mini-mony
Guest Count
Less than 1
Planning Time
Days, weeks or months (short) *
Typical Elements
Simple ceremony only; may be planned with the intention of having a larger celebration much later
Vibe and Feel
Minimal, symbolic, no-frills
Ideal For
Couples who want a pared-back moment without events
Pop-up Wedding
Guest Count
10-25
Planning Time
Days or weeks (short) *
Typical Elements
Casual ceremony and optional drinks or light meal
Vibe and Feel
Spontaneous and informal
Ideal For
Couples who love surprises, spontaneity or low-pressure gatherings
*The actual required time to plan this event may vary based on several factors (e.g., venue, time of year, guest availability, etc.)
Conclusion
Planning a small wedding, in any form, is ultimately about choosing what feels right for you. Whether you dream of slipping away for an elopement in the Grand Canyon, exchanging vows in your back yard, or hosting a tiny celebration in your favorite local museum (like we did), intimate weddings offer endless possibilities. They give you room to breathe, to focus on meaning over spectacle, and to design a day that reflects your story. My hope is that The Petite Peoni becomes a calm, inspiring space that helps you explore all the options available to you. However you choose to celebrate, may it feel personal, beautiful, and unmistakably yours.
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