Micro-wedding trend arrives in Sioux Falls

Sometimes a small gathering is perfect for your big day.

At least that’s one recent trend with weddings – small, intimate ceremonies and celebrations are growing in popularity. And we’re not talking destination weddings, where maybe it’s a small gathering because of the time and travel.

Rather, it’s your average couple opting for just a few close friends and family to celebrate their big day.

That’s what Autumn and Patrick Leonard did when they got married in late August. They chose a traditional ceremony in their church, open only to their parents and siblings, followed by an open house-style reception at a bar and restaurant.

“There were fewer than 20 of us at the wedding,” Autumn Leonard said.

The reception was open to more people but was an informal event, with guests asked to swing by that afternoon.

“We just had appetizers and drinks to celebrate, and it was all very informal.”

According to data from The Wedding Report, the average guest count at weddings has dropped to 131 in 2024, down from 184 in 2006. And, according to a story from Axios, smaller celebrations with fewer than five guests made up 18 percent of nuptials last year, almost doubling from 2013.

For Leonard, the smaller setting was exactly what she wanted. This was her second wedding and her husband’s first. Her teenage daughters were there as well as both of their parents and siblings.

“We had all the traditions: the flowers, the pastor, the church and the photos and all the fun prep of the day. But we chose not to have the traditions of the dance and dinner and registry. We just didn’t need all that,” she said. “I absolutely loved the entire day. It was like nobody was in the church but Patrick and me and the girls. It felt great.”

Leonard, a nurse who also operates Black Iron Waffles, said the simple day meant no stress.

“We wanted to take the stress off of everybody and just show up,” she said. “The importance of the day is that it’s just us. I was really focused on Patrick and the girls. This was personal, and that’s what we wanted.”

Something simple extended to the guests – they didn’t need to set aside an entire day to help celebrate.

“People are busy, so they could just take a little time and stop by for an hour, and there’s no obligation,” she said. “If they’re working in the garden and just wanted to swing by and have a drink, perfect. You didn’t have to get dressed up. It just meant a lot that they came to see us.”

A personal celebration

For Chrissy Meyer and Ryan Simmons, the ceremony had a big crowd, but the dinner after was smaller and more intimate. They got married in early August at Tuthill Park. They both have big families, and everyone was invited to the wedding.

She loved celebrating at the park.

“It was perfect. We didn’t have to do any decorating – Mother Nature did that for us,” Meyer said. “With the gazebo and the benches, we didn’t have to rent anything. For us, this was a very cost-effective way to have a wedding.”

The wedding itself was for about 150 people, with a musician and a garden reception.

“We bought as much lemonade at Costco as we could and had cupcakes,” Meyer said. The whole event was an hour and a half.

“We had both done the big wedding before, and we shared the philosophy that we would much rather make an investment in our future together and adventures than spend a ton of money on one day,” Meyer said. “We wanted to have a special moment with our friends and family, but we also wanted to celebrate a little differently.”

Simmons’ sons were part of the ceremony, and Meyer had her niece and her dog.

She said it was the perfect reflection of who they are. After the ceremony, a small group of family went out to dinner together.

“We believe life is about experiences, and while we wanted to share this experience, we wanted to define it on our own terms,” Meyer said. She said family members appreciated the more intimate dinner together. “I think it meant a little more to them.”

Big-day savings

Amy Boes, co-owner of Casetta and Convolo, said both event spaces see a lot of rentals for small-scale weddings. There was a definite uptick after COVID, and to some extent, it has continued.

“It also can be a budget issue for people,” Boes said. “We’ve seen a lot of our renters choose to go smaller, not just for the intimacy but because it saves them a lot of money not hosting a dinner for 250 people.”

But small doesn’t mean it has to be feel less special, Boes said. “People still want a high-end experience, and they want their guests to feel like it’s not thrown together. It’s still a special and thoughtful day for the couple.”

Boes said people book a lot of weddings at Convolo, which can hold up to 60 people. Casetta has a beautiful fireplace and seats 50. Sometimes, people just hold the ceremony there, and other times, they have the whole event. She said it’s primarily first weddings. They also see a lot of surprise engagements.

“We see people who want something low-key and intimate,” Boes said. “There’s a movement where people want a special moment, and I think this has been part of that movement. Or people got married abroad, and they want to have a celebration here with friends and family.”

Both venues have an open food and beverage policy – so hosts can bring in their own food and caterer, which can significantly reduce costs and allow a level of personalization. “The meal can be an intimate decision for people, and they sometimes want a more casual option. We have seen a trend where people run with things out of the norm or that feel more like them,” Boes said. “You can do something no-fuss but still nice.”

Courtney Thorpe, who owns Bride to Bride Wedding Co., agrees. She has seen everything from a wedding with more than 600 people to smaller celebrations. She said most weddings she helps with have fewer than 100 guests now.

“I think everybody is going to a simpler and more affordable lifestyle that isn’t breaking the bank, but they’re still getting their top must-haves for their weddings. Maybe it’s delicious food or an awesome DJ but maybe cutting down the group of people or the day of the week to try to make it affordable,” Thorpe said.