A minimalist wedding is a wedding that focuses on simplicity, intentionality, and connection over extravagance. The goal of a minimalist wedding is to pare down the event to its most essential and meaningful elements, avoiding anything that feels excessive or distracting.
Why have a minimalist wedding?
There are several reasons a couple may choose to have a minimalist wedding:
- To save money – Minimalist weddings often cost much less than traditional weddings.
- To focus on what’s most important – For many couples, things like elaborate decor and lavish menus aren’t as important as celebrating their love with close family and friends.
- To avoid stress – Planning a minimalist wedding can be much less stressful than planning an intricate traditional wedding.
- To align with values – Couples who value simplicity, sustainability, and conscious living may gravitate toward a minimalist wedding.
What does a minimalist wedding look like?
While every minimalist wedding will be unique, they often share some key characteristics:
- Small guest list – Usually less than 50 guests, and sometimes as small as just the couple and an officiant.
- Simple venue – Often an outdoor space, cottage, or restaurant rather than a traditional wedding venue. The venue is usually minimally decorated.
- Casual attire – The couple and guests usually dress simply and comfortably.
- Minimal flowers and decor – Just enough to feel warm and festive, but not overdone. Greens, wildflowers, candles are popular choices.
- Meaningful details – The couple may incorporate personalized, heartfelt details rather than following wedding traditions.
- Simple food and drink – The menu focuses on quality over quantity. Comfort foods, food trucks, family recipes are common.
- Connection-focused events – More time spent connecting with loved ones, often through intimate ceremonies and interactive reception activities.
How to plan a minimalist wedding
Here are some tips for planning a meaningful minimalist wedding:
- Focus on what matters most to you and your partner. Don’t feel obligated to anything that doesn’t feel authentic.
- Select a venue that needs minimal extra decor. Consider outdoor spaces, restaurants, and bare event rooms.
- Keep your guest list small. 50 people or fewer is best. Only invite your nearest and dearest.
- Send e-invitations instead of paper invites. Email and texts are green options.
- Skip extras like limos, wedding parties, prerecorded music. Keep it simple.
- Consider casual attire like sundresses and linen shirts. Formalwear raises costs and complications.
- Choose minimal, meaningful flowers like a bridal bouquet or boutonnieres. Skip elaborate floral designs.
- Make a heartfelt ceremony script focused on your love and values. Keep it brief but personalized.
- Consider an outdoor potluck reception. Ask guests to contribute dishes with significance.
- Focus on connection – think lawn games, singalongs, and quality time rather than staged entertainment.
Minimalist vs. traditional weddings
Let’s compare some key differences between minimalist and traditional weddings:
| Element | Minimalist Wedding | Traditional Wedding |
|---|---|---|
| Guest list | Less than 50 guests | Often over 100 guests |
| Venue | Outdoor, restaurant, bare event space | Hotel ballroom, country club, banquet hall |
| Attire | Casual | Formal |
| Menu | Simple, quality focused | Elaborate, extensive options |
| Flowers/decor | Minimal | Elaborate floral designs |
| Entertainment | Interactive activities | DJ, band, staged performances |
| Overall feel | Intimate, relaxed | Grand, lavish |
Is a minimalist wedding right for you?
A minimalist wedding isn’t right for everyone, but it can be a great choice for couples who:
- Want an intimate, relaxed wedding day
- Have a limited wedding budget
- Value simplicity and sustainability
- Want to avoid the stress of intricate planning
- Prefer casual over formal celebrations
- Want to focus on meaningful connection over lavish details
The most important thing is aligning your wedding vision with your personal values and priorities as a couple. A minimalist wedding allows you to celebrate your love in a mindful, authentic way.
Conclusion
A minimalist wedding centers around simplicity, intimacy, and connection with loved ones. It eschews extravagance in favor of focusing on what’s truly meaningful to the couple. With mindful choices around the venue, guest list, attire, decor, food, and entertainment, couples are able to have a personalized, low-stress celebration. While minimalist weddings are not for everyone, they can be an excellent match for couples who value simplicity, sustainability, conscious living, and authenticity on their wedding day.