Top Seven Reasons to "Say Yes" to a Micro Wedding (or Intimate Wedding) in San Luis Obispo
You’re engaged—congrats! Now comes the big question: What kind of wedding do you want? If the thought of a massive guest list, over-the-top planning stress, and everything else that comes with a "traditional wedding" makes you break out in a cold sweat, let me introduce you to the magic of an intimate or "mirco wedding" in San Luis Obispo County. Trust me, you're going to want to read through this list - it may be just the thing that convinces you that you can "have it all" without having to do what everyone else does.
Top Seven Reasons to "Say Yes" to a Micro Wedding (or Intimate Wedding) in San Luis Obispo
Everyone dreams and plans differently, but it's easy to get caught up in what you "should do" (i.e. have the big wedding where you send out 100's of invites, some to people you haven't even seen in years) vs. what you may really want - a wedding day surrounded by your closest friends and family so it doesn't feel like you're putting on a huge "show" and instead you're just absolutely digging your amazing wedding day!
Quickly, I want to answer your burning question...exactly what IS a “micro wedding” (or intimate wedding)? That's easy, it's a wedding that generally consists of somewhere around 20 to 50 people – so you don’t have to cut EVERYONE out of your guest list.
You’re already getting married in SLO County, which means you must appreciate the stunning natural beauty and laid-back vibes, so, say goodbye to a 200-person guest list and hello to a wedding day that fits within the coastal dream!
1. More Quality Time with Your Favorite People
Let’s be real—at big weddings, you barely get to say more than “hi” and “thanks for coming” to each guest (especially when there are 200 to 300 of them). A micro wedding means you can actually enjoy meaningful conversations, share laughs, and dance the night away with a smaller group of people. Maybe inviting your dad’s cousin’s boss who you've never met isn’t the best way to maximize time spent with those YOU care about!
2. Budget-Friendly (Without Sacrificing Elegance, Fun and Style!)
Less guests = less money spent on food, rentals, favors and all those extras that add up fast. That means you can splurge on dreamy florals, an incredible photographer, or that handcrafted farm-to-table dinner you’ve been eyeing—all while staying within budget. You can even do some cool “extras” like adding a signature cocktail or having a taco truck show up at the end of the night!
3. Intimate Weddings Mean Access to Venue Opportunities that Big Weddings Don't Have
Many of SLO County’s most breathtaking venues only accommodate smaller groups. Think private estates, boutique wineries, cozy beachfront inns, and even luxury Airbnb retreats. With a micro wedding, you get access to these hidden gems that aren’t an option for big events.
4. Embracing the “SLO Life” Vibe with Less Stress
No massive timelines, no pressure to entertain 250 people, and no wedding-day chaos—just you, your partner, and your closest loved ones enjoying an unforgettable experience. Intimate weddings allow you to be fully present, soaking in every moment without feeling rushed or forced to do all the “conventional things” that take away from you really enjoying the day.
5. More Flexibility to Personalize Your Day
With fewer people to accommodate, you can get creative! Maybe you want to get amazing wedding favors that your guests are going to love forever instead of throw in a drawer – when you only have to get 50 you can go to a local artisan and have something AMAZING made! Or maybe you want to sit around a bonfire at the end of the night with all of your guests while wrapped in blankets and roasting marshmallows – totally doable! A micro wedding gives you the freedom to break traditions and make the day uniquely you.
6. The Perfect Excuse for a Destination Wedding
If you’ve been dreaming of a destination wedding but don’t want the hassle of coordinating a huge event, an intimate wedding in SLO County is the answer. Your guests will love it, because they can turn it into a mini-vacation, and you get a wedding weekend filled with wine tasting, coastal hikes, and quirky beach towns - you can even coordinate some of these things with your guests. Win-win!
7. Epic Photography Opportunities
As a wedding photographer (or if you’re working with one!), we love micro weddings because they allow for more flexibility in capturing stunning, unhurried moments. Whether it’s sneaking away for golden-hour portraits or getting incredible candid shots of your guests truly enjoying themselves, a smaller wedding allows for real, raw and emotional photographic imagery. Also, it's absolutey feasible to get at least a few EPIC images with everyone in attendance in the same photograph, which is pretty freaking amazing and all of my clients LOVE those!
Ready to Plan Your SLO County Micro Wedding?
San Luis Obispo County is probably the BEST place in California to have an intimate or micro wedding (yes, I may be biased – but that’s okay). Whether it’s a stunning winery, a seaside escape, or a charming garden B&B setting, this area is packed with incredible locations to make your wedding dreams a reality.
So, cheers to love, adventure, and celebrating in a way that feels 100% true to you! If you’d like to know more about what I offer in terms of photography for intimate and micro weddings, check out the rest of my website!