Lots of engaged couples are now researching micro wedding venues in the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa, Carmel, Big Sur and beyond. Wow, couples have sure been through a lot during Covid and plans have been forced to change monthly. Luckily, things are looking up! Still, to be safe, wedding plans are remaining conservative, staying with small weddings. So let’s dive in!
What Is a Micro Wedding?
Technically speaking, a micro wedding is an intimate affair, typically with no more than 50 guests. They still feature time-honored traditions that make a wedding but on a much smaller scale. Many people make the mistake of equating micro wedding with elopement wedding. This is different from an elopement, which involves only the couple and wedding official. Generally micro weddings will include features of a larger traditional wedding day only organised on a smaller scale typically with a more relaxed vibe.
As a professional wedding photographer, with 25 years experience, I can attest to the fact that smaller weddings are absolutely as special as large ones, if not more! Your closest friends and family are there, the venue options are greater and you can manage the budget to cover your true priorities.
Embrace the flexibility of planning a micro wedding. Get creative with researching micro wedding venues. Make up your own mind and detach yourself from traditional wedding demands. If you are not comfortable wearing a white dress, ditch the idea. Don’t feel under pressure to satisfy any cultural demands, be in charge of your planning journey, enjoy and your micro wedding will be everything you dream of.
Make it Special for Your Guests
Since the event is small-scale, think about each and every guest and what treats you could offer them. This doesn’t have to be hugely expensive gifts but more thoughtful tokens, maybe when you sit down for dinner you have everyone’s favourite drink waiting for them or your table favours are personalised with special touches.
Consider Hiring a Planner for a Micro Wedding
Just because you are planning a smaller scale wedding does not mean that you shouldn’t ask for help. There is the tendency for the couple to handle everything by themselves. A coordinator can help you, but you must pay attention to details to ensure that nothing important is left out. The fact that the wedding is small does not suggest that it is simple. Small celebration needs better planning, and there are a lot of areas to consider.
Great San Francisco Bay Area Locations for a Micro Wedding
Crissy Field in San Francisco
Crissy Field, a former U.S. Army airfield, is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco, California, United States. Historically part of the Presidio of San Francisco, Crissy Field closed as an airfield after 1974. The National Park Service took control of the area in 1994 and, together with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy worked to restore the site until 2001, when the Crissy Field Center was opened to the public.hile most buildings have been preserved as they were in the 1920s, some have been transformed into offices, retail space, and residences.
I love Crissy Field because the views it offers of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay are breathtaking. In addition you are close to the beach if you want coastal portraits or even Fort Point with moody dramatic architecture. You can see in these portraits, my couple and their closest friends simply walked to a beautiful spot on the lawn to have their ceremony. Talk about simple! With privacy, simplicity and world-class views, they shared their vows and had their dream wedding. Afterwards, we made our way to the Palace of Fine Arts, just a 5 minute drive away. That evening they enjoyed a celebration at a wonderful restaurant. Get creative with your micro wedding, the options for outdoor weddings in the San Francisco Bay Area, Carmel, Napa, and Big Sur are endless.
California Redwoods in Santa Cruz
Andrea and Mark had a large wedding planned at a winery which was unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic. For them, getting married was the priority so they pivoted and had a stunning smaller wedding. The family’s all rented houses in the Santa Cruz mountains where they could safely gather Outdoors and enjoy each other’s company. a few days before the ceremony Andrea and Mark took a walk together through the beautiful redwood forest and found a beautiful Grove where they wanted to hold their ceremony. it was so touching to see everybody gather under the beautiful canopies of these ancient redwoods to celebrate the vows of this couple. they even shared a small cake with everybody in the forest. the portraits of course were absolutely beautiful with the incredible scenery the trees and Woodland environment.
Later that day, they headed to nearby Pasatiempo Golf Course for a beautiful outdoor dinner at the Hollins House. In the hills above Santa Cruz overlooking the spectacular Monterey Bay, this outdoor venue offered breathtaking views with lots of privacy. I am so happy that this couple got to have a wedding they will never forget. it was intimate, heartfelt and down to earth, just like the couple.
Berkeley Botanical Garden
Could having a micro wedding held outdoors at an amazing botanical garden get any cooler? The 34-acre UC Botanical Garden is one of the most diverse landscapes in the world, with over 10,000 types of plants including many rare and endangered species. Organized geographically, the Garden features 9 regions of naturalistic plantings from Italy to South Africa, along with a major collection of California native plants. The Garden was established in 1890 and its living collections are invaluable resources for international research and conservation.
These are pre-covid wedding photos, fyi, so no masks here. But, I wanted to share this unique, affordable, outdoor wedding venue in Berkeley because it’s perfect for a micro wedding. Guests get a memorable experience, gardens are beautiful and it allows for social distancing and fresh air.
Ceremonies can take place in a few areas and the options for gorgeous portraits are endless.
Please contact with any questions at all! I love helping couples with their wedding photography plans!
