Micro weddings are my SHIT. They’re always hella sweet, hella intentional, and have so much meaning behind them, and let’s be real… That’s literally the best part of a wedding day!! I got to capture Taylor and Christian’s micro wedding at Little River Tiny House as their Knoxville wedding photographer, and I’m STILL thinking about it. It was the cutest, most perfect day.
If you’re wondering how to plan a wedding that feels full of life and personality… Don’t miss my 2027 micro wedding guide!
What’s *Actually* Considered a Micro Wedding??
Small weddings go in levels, with there being elopements, micro weddings, and intimate weddings. Everyone thinks about it a little differently, but in MY opinion (as a Knoxville wedding photographer), it’s something like this:
Elopements: <10 people (See Robyn and Nathaniel’s GORG AF Montana elopement!!)
Micro weddings: 10-25 people
Intimate weddings: 25-50 people (like Chloe and Angela’s day in Florida)
The best part, though?? Whatever category your dream day falls in, it’s gonna be perf!! Any type of small wedding has that vibe where it’s super laid back and WAYYY less stressful.
Why Choose a Micro Wedding??
A very specific type of couple goes for micro weddings, and I’m obsessed with them every time!! If you’re considering a day like this, there’s a good chance that you two probably…
- Think having to perform on your wedding day is the most God-awful thing imaginable
- Don’t love being the center of attention, generally
- Want to celebrate in the way that feels true to you with JUST your closest people
- Are dreaming of a day that feels totally laidback and NEVERRR stressful
- Care about the meaning behind every detail: every guest, every detail, every minute
If that sounds like you… ILY ALREADY. Let’s do the damn thing!!
How to Plan a Cool AF Tennessee Micro Wedding in 2027
Okay, Tennessee makes a GREATTT place for a micro wedding. I mean… The mountains?? Those cozy vibes that only the Great Smokies can bring?? It’s literally BEGGING for a wedding like this!!
If you’re reading this like, “Hell yeah, I want to hold a micro wedding in Tennessee!!!” let’s get into the guide with all the lil details you need:
How to Make a Small Wedding Guest List
When you’re planning a micro wedding, you’ve gotta throw tradition and obligation out the window. This is the day that’s all about you!! If you don’t want someone there… Byeee!!
Seriously, only invite the people that you truly, truly want there to celebrate you. Just because someone invited you to their wedding or because your crazy aunt will get butthurt if she isn’t there is NOT a reason to invite them, babes!!!
Book Vendors Who Know the Vibes
Whatever vendors you choose to book for your micro wedding day will be the ones who bring your vision to life, so always make sure that they’ve worked a day like yours!!
Wondering what vendors to book? You know I gotchu!! Here’s who I recommend for a micro wedding, but if it doesn’t feel like you… Toss it!!:
- Planner
- Photographer (HIII!!)
- Videographer
- Content creator
- Florist
- Hair and makeup artists
- Baker
- Any other traditional vendors you’d want (think: caterers, bartenders, rentals, DJs, etc.)
Create a Wedding Timeline That’s Actually What You Want
Again… Fuck tradition!! Your micro wedding day is all about you, so the typical wedding timeline does NOTTT have to be what you follow. I loved this wedding timeline from Mitch and Darby’s day: an intimate downtown Airbnb ceremony, followed by a restaurant PARTAYYY.
Decor That Works for Micro Weddings
Micro weddings are typically hella simple, and I LOVE that for them. Sometimes, though, people will really invest in the design for a smaller wedding, and I love that too!! Here are a few ideas for decor for your tiny wedding:
- Choose a unique color palette
- Go for moody vibes
- Bring nature into your design
- Have sentimental items from your relationship
Best Time of Year for a Tennessee Micro Wedding
Tennessee EATS year-round, so weddings here in any season work. Here’s what a wedding in TN is like in every season:
- Spring: gorg flower fields, soft light, and easy AF days!!
- Summer: perfect for sunrise elopements and dreamy golden hour pics.
- Fall: peak season in eastern TN!! The fall colors here are truly INSANEEE.
- Winter: Hella cozy and perfect for cabin weddings or snowy elopements!!
Why the Little River Tiny House is a PERFFF Tennessee Micro Wedding Venue
Let’s talk location, because I KNOW you’re wondering.
Taylor and Christian chose the Little River Tiny House, a rental home/intimate wedding venue that has the CUTEST vibes. It’s located in Gatlinburg and tucked away in the quietest little part of the mountains, and everything about it is incredible!! I mean, the views? The hot tub?? The river?? I’m obsessed with it!!
It was the perfect spot for their little wedding, because it held just the right amount of people and had no one else around for MILES. These two really wanted to focus on being with their family, and Little River Tiny House allowed it!! It’s also convenient to Pigeon Forge and Knoxville, so there’s SO much to do around, which is amazing if you have out-of-town guests.
More Eastern Tennessee Micro Wedding Venues
Girl, Tennessee is FILLED with stunning spots for a micro wedding. So if Little River Tiny House isn’t your vibe… Don’t fret!!
Here are a few more micro wedding venues and locations around Knoxville that I love just as much as a Knoxville wedding photographer who’s seen tons:
Questions I Get About Micro Weddings
I know you’ve got questions, and you know I gotchu covered as a Knoxville wedding photographer!! Here are the questions my couples ask me ALL the time:
How much does a typical micro wedding cost?
Micro weddings DEFFF save you a few bucks, but there’s no way to tell you exactly how much it would be because it totally depends on how you plan your day!! Budgets are completely different for weddings like this, and the best part?? You get to make it totally your own!!
What are suitable wedding dresses for a casual micro wedding?
People think that you have to wear a casual wedding dress for your micro wedding, but there are zero rules here!! You can have the biggest princess ball gown or just a short white dress, whatever your vibe is, queen. Need some recommendations?? I love:
- The Venus Ritz Gown from Selkie, for something nontraditional
- The Trapeze Mini from Mac Duggal, for something elevated
- Lillie by Truvelle, for something traditional but casual
How do I choose an officiant for a small private ceremony?
In Tennessee, priests and judges can legally officiate a wedding, and you don’t need any witnesses!! You can find the perfect officiant that fits your wedding vibe online, on places like The Knot!!
Wild Alchemy Photo | Knoxville Wedding Photographer
Ready to plan your micro wedding?? Let’s do it, queen!! I’m a photographer who’ll be your ride or die through the whole planning process and capture your day in a way that feels totally true to you. Inquire here today, and let’s be besties!!
