As you start to plan your wedding you will quickly realize that gone are the days of cookie-cutter weddings. Not only are couples looking for unique locations to celebrate their “I Dos”, but they are also doing so in all types of ways. From simple elopements to full weekend-long celebrations and everything in between, there are a variety of options and types of wedding celebrations you can have. Use this list to help you decide which option is going to work best for the type of wedding you and your future spouse would like to have.
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Elopement
Traditionally, an elopement meant you got married without anyone knowing about it. Today, it tends to be a very small wedding ceremony without celebration or reception afterward.
Guest Count: Under 10 Guests
Micro Wedding
Micro-weddings became popular during the pandemic in 2020 when we were not gathering in larger groups. These weddings can still have all the elements of a classic wedding but on a much smaller scale.
Guest Count: 10-20 Guests
Classic Wedding
Although the size of a classic wedding can vary greatly, this refers to a Saturday wedding hosted in the late afternoon/early evening. The events of the day include getting ready, a ceremony, cocktail hour, and a reception. Some couples even include an after-party at a local location if the wedding ends earlier in the night.
Guest Count: Varies
Brunch Wedding
A brunch wedding takes place later in the morning, typically between 11 am and 2 pm, with your ceremony prior and a brunch reception after. This type of wedding celebration can still have all the elements of a classic wedding but will most likely have the night-time style party atmosphere as the festivities will end earlier in the day.
Guest Count: Varies
Destination Wedding
A destination wedding is one that takes place away from where the soon-to-be-married couple lives. This type of wedding style and location can vary greatly as the destinations could possibly be anywhere in the world. While these types of wedding celebrations can have all the elements of a classic wedding, it is more common for them to have a smaller guest count depending on the destination. Destination weddings are also commonly celebrations that extend multiple days as the couple and wedding guests are out of town together.
Guest Count: Varies
Holiday Wedding
A wedding that is held on a religious and/or national holiday. Couples often will select a long holiday weekend to host their wedding because there is a greater chance that their wedding guests will be off work. However, keep in mind that some holidays are steeped in tradition and guests may not attend due to this.
Guest Count: Varies
Wedding Weekend
These types of wedding celebrations extend over a period of days, with wedding festivities typically extended Friday through Sunday/Monday. May or may not be in the location where the soon-to-be-married couple lives.
Guest Count: Varies
Non-Saturday Wedding
Weddings that are not held on the traditional day of Saturday. This could be any other day of the week but most commonly couples who select a non-Saturday wedding will opt for a Friday or Sunday wedding instead. Selecting other days of the week can be a budget-friendly option as venues and vendors will sometimes offer discounts on rentals and services.
Guest Count: Varies
