Guide to intimate weddings + MICRO weddings

If you’ve been hearing the term “micro wedding” everywhere and wondering what it actually means, you’re not alone.

Over the last few years, couples have started reimagining what a wedding day can look like. Some choose to hike into the mountains and exchange vows with just the two of them. Others gather a handful of their favorite people for an intimate celebration, while some still dream of a big dance floor packed with family and friends.

The truth is, there isn’t a right or wrong way to get married—only the way that feels most like you.

So before we dive into planning tips, let’s break down the differences between an elopement, a micro wedding, and a traditional wedding.

Elopement

An elopement is an intentionally intimate wedding experience, usually with 15 or fewer guests (and often just the couple). Rather than following a traditional wedding timeline, the focus is on the experience—exploring beautiful places, sharing meaningful moments, and celebrating your marriage your own way.

Many elopements include a private ceremony followed by an adventure, a picnic, a great dinner, or another activity that reflects the couple’s personalities.

Micro Wedding

A micro wedding typically includes up to 50 guests and blends the best of both worlds. You still enjoy many of the traditions of a wedding—ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, toasts, and dancing—but with a smaller guest list and a much more personal experience.

Think intentional, intimate, and elevated. With fewer guests, you have more time to spend with the people you love while creating a truly memorable celebration.

Traditional Wedding

A traditional wedding is what most people picture—a larger celebration with family and friends. These celebrations generally include a full ceremony, reception, dancing, and all the classic wedding traditions. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a huge celebration, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

The best wedding isn’t defined by the number of guests—it’s defined by how well it reflects your story.

Let’s talk Micro weddings

Less guests. More connection. More experience.

A micro wedding isn’t about having less—it’s about making room for what matters most.

Typically with 50 guests or fewer, you’ll have the time and freedom to actually enjoy your wedding day instead of rushing from conversation to conversation. Rather than spending the evening greeting a long list of acquaintances, you’ll be fully present with the people who mean the most to you.

One of the biggest benefits of a micro wedding is creating an intentional guest list. By inviting only your closest family and friends, every person there plays a meaningful role in your celebration. You’ll have time for genuine conversations, shared meals, laughter, and memories that aren’t rushed.

And yes—it also gives you permission to skip inviting that distant cousin you’ve met twice or the old coworker who somehow ended up on the list. Instead, you can focus your time and budget on creating an unforgettable experience for the people you truly want by your side.

A smaller guest list doesn’t mean sacrificing luxury or celebration. In fact, it often means the opposite. With fewer guests, you can invest in an elevated experience—an incredible venue, an intimate dinner, exceptional food, thoughtful details, and breathtaking scenery that everyone will remember.

Small guest list. Big experience. Memories that last a lifetime.

Advantages of having a Micro Wedding

MORE VENUE OPTIONS FOR YOUR MICRO WEDDING

With a smaller guest list you can hold your event in so many places, from a swanky speakeasy to a luxury ranch.

Here are some of my favorite locations in Montana to consider for a micro wedding:

Everett’s 8800 at Big Sky Resort – Big Sky, MT Ride the scenic Ramcharger lift to this one-of-a-kind mountaintop venue at 8,800 feet. With panoramic views of Lone Peak, exceptional dining, and an unforgettable alpine setting, Everett’s 8800 is perfect for an intimate, luxury micro wedding.

Sage Lodge – Pray, MT Celebrate with breathtaking views of Paradise Valley and the Yellowstone River at Sage Lodge. The private Yellowstone Room or an intimate space at The Grill are perfect for micro weddings of up to 30 guests, offering exceptional dining in a refined Montana setting.

Lone Mountain Ranch – Big Sky, MT A rustic and refined Montana ranch surrounded by mountain scenery, Lone Mountain Ranch is perfect for an intimate micro wedding in any season. With cozy cabins, beautiful ceremony locations, and exceptional dining, it offers an unforgettable guest experience year-round.

Heritage Ranch – Bozeman, MT On 45 private acres just 10 minutes from Bozeman and the airport, with stunning views of the Bridger, Spanish Peaks, and Tobacco Root Mountains. Choose from a luxury lodge, cozy cabin, or glamping tents for a rustic yet refined Montana experience that’s perfect for an intimate wedding weekend.

Tower House + Yurts Paradise Valley, MT This is a best kept secret for small events! Set on 14 acres in the heart of Paradise Valley, this unique property features an architecturally designed Tower House, three luxury yurts, and a barn with kitchen. With stunning mountain views, next tot he Yellowstone River and a private, unforgettable setting, it’s perfect for an intimate micro wedding.

Clydesdale Outpost – Whitefish, MT A luxury, family-owned 92-acre guest ranch offering handcrafted cabins, mountain views, and unforgettable Montana experiences. With Clydesdale rides, outdoor adventures, and a private ranch atmosphere, it’s a unique setting for an intimate micro wedding weekend.

The Resort at Paws Up – Greenough, MT A luxury Montana wilderness resort offering an unforgettable micro wedding experience. With private ranch homes, glamping accommodations, incredible dining, and endless outdoor adventures, Paws Up is perfect for couples wanting a refined yet authentic Montana celebration.

Foster Creek Farm – Bozeman, MT A scenic farm venue just outside Bozeman featuring mountain views, open fields, and a relaxed Montana atmosphere. Perfect for an intimate gathering with a beautiful outdoor ceremony and a cozy, personal celebration.

The Ranch at Rock Creek – Philipsburg, MT A world-class luxury ranch surrounded by Montana wilderness. With five-star accommodations, incredible dining, and unforgettable scenery, this is ideal for couples wanting an elevated all-inclusive ranch wedding experience.

SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR GUESTS

This is something I hear about often; “the day went so quickly and I barely got to speak with all the guests!” With 40 or so guests you will probably get a chance to say hello and chat.

GO LUXURY

Your micro wedding doesn’t mean low budget, in fact you may spend the same amount as a larger wedding but make it a more of a luxury experience for your guests. That could mean exquisite dining, unique welcome gifts, activities the day before or after? The event of your dreams just on a smaller scale.

Let’s talk Elopements

Elopements are more than a trend! When I first started out photographing weddings 10+ years ago elopements weren’t really a thing in Montana. They really started to blow up when people started seeing stunning destination elopements on instagram. People basically could have the most beautiful locations and just a few of their loved ones if they wanted. Now I currently shoot 15-20 each year and totally adore being part of these intimate events!

What I totally love about elopements is how it cuts out a lot of the drama. By this I mean, no complicated seating charts, down-to-the-minute timelines and coordination of all the the things! It is super intimate, I have even been the only witness several times and it is beyond humbling and heart warming to be part of it. Sometimes there are guests, usually parents or siblings, children and besties. We can plan it for almost any location even the side of a mountain if you like!

There are also many venues that have packages just for this and even airbnbs and the like who will allow it if it is very small and not a “party”. Many of my elopements have had zero venue costs. This allows them to spend their budget on photography, flowers, hair and makeup, their officiant, a cake and champagne if you like and a dinner after. I was even invited to a wonderful dinner at Chico Hot Springs in the Wine Cellar room after and elopement. It was such a joy to join them after we finished our photos! And the food is amazing.

My Favorite Elopement Location Tip

One of my favorite ideas for an intimate elopement? Choose a beautiful vacation rental as your home base.

You’ll need a place to stay during your Montana adventure anyway, so why not choose one with incredible views? Many vacation rentals feature private mountain settings, river access, open meadows, or stunning backdrops that can double as the perfect ceremony location. A cozy cabin in Montana – yes please!

If you’re considering exchanging vows at your rental, be sure to check with the host first. Many properties have policies against “weddings” or “events,” but I’ve found that explaining you’re planning a simple ceremony with just a handful of guests (for example, fewer than 10 people) and no large reception or party often makes a big difference. Every property has its own rules, so it’s always best to ask before booking.

The result? A relaxed, private experience where you can get ready, say your vows, celebrate together, and never feel rushed—all while surrounded by the beauty of Montana.

If you are interested in making your micro wedding dreams come true I know some amazing local vendors in southwest Montana that would love to create it with you.

Vendors:

Venue –Foster Creek Farm

Styling – Bash

Floral designs- The Flower Hat

Rentals – Montana Party Rentals

Calligraphy – Bontemps Calligraphy

Paper goods – Icepond Press

Dress – Bash / Alexandragrecco

Menswear- Revolvr

Makeup artist – Fumi

Hair – Brook of Brooklynn Studio

Cake – Lux Spirited Sweets