Are you dreaming of an intimate wedding surrounded by your closest loved ones? You may refer to it as a micro-wedding or an elopement, but either way, the idea of getting married surrounded by just a few people excites you. 

Small Shindigs was created specifically to serve those looking to have intimate weddings, full of big love. Just because you are having a smaller in number of guests, doesn’t mean planning is easy. While planning a small wedding may seem simpler, it still requires careful thought and consideration. In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through the steps to plan your perfect tiny wedding in New York, whether you're a local or planning a destination wedding. 

Let's jump in!

Step 1: Make Your Small Wedding Guest List

A tiny wedding typically consists of fewer than 100 people. To avoid any potential conflicts later on, keep your guest list limited to your immediate family and your closest friends.

Step 2: Define Your Aesthetic

While it may seem tempting to consider all location types, narrowing down your options will make your research easier. Be specific and determine your preferred style: Do you envision a rooftop wedding with stunning city views? Are you a nature lover, envisioning a park setting? Or perhaps you're seeking a secluded and remote location. With New York offering a multitude of options, narrowing your focus will help you find the perfect venue that truly speaks to your soul.

Step 3: Find Your Location

Once you have a clear vision of the type of location or venue you’re looking for, it's time to start your outreach. While directory listings such as The Knot and Here Comes the Guide can be helpful, don't be afraid to think outside the box. Airbnb can be a fantastic resource for super tiny weddings, especially if you're considering the Hudson Valley. Nature lovers should explore public parks that often offer more secluded areas available for reservation with permit fees. Hiring a wedding planner can also be advantageous, as they may know hidden gems that didn't appear in your initial search!

For the perfect Tiny Wedding in New York City and Brooklyn here are a few of our favorite ceremony spots.

Where to Elope in New York City and Brooklyn

Cop Cot - Beautiful wooden shelter structure in Central Park

Wagner Cove - Rustic shelter on the lake in Central Park

Shakespeare Garden - Lush greenery and lots of flowers provide a stunning setting in Central Park

*You’ll need to apply for a permit for any of the NYC park locations.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden - You’ll have a choice between 4 different locations within the gardens. You can inquire about availability directly through their site.

Brooklyn Bridge Park - Choose between a few locations all along the water!

The Nomad Hotel - For those looking for indoor space with some serious character.

Hotel48 - For a ceremony with a view, safe from outdoor elements, this hotel has some perfect suites.

Where to Elope in Hudson Valley

Hudson Valley Rose - With a tree-lined driveway and a horse pasture, you’ll have ample spots for an intimate gathering.

Minnewaska State Park - For those interested in truly being in nature, you can get a permit for your ceremony and hike around the park

Clermont State Historic Site - Mansion and beautiful river views.

Locust Grove Estate - A nature preserve with both indoor and outdoor space for tiny weddings.

Step 4: Book a Photographer

After finalizing your location and selecting your date, you can start working on booking a photographer. Start your search by Googling photographers in your chosen location and using keywords like "elopement" or "engagement shoot." Additionally, consider your preferred photography style, such as photojournalistic, dramatic, documentary, fine art, or moody. 

Photojournalistic - Candid, with some direction and styling.

Dramatic - Lot’s of intense lighting and highlighting of certain elements (like a really bright sunset or rain falling down).

Documentary - Candid and spontaneous

Fine Art - Focus on every little detail

Moody - You’ll notice darker and more muted tones, and editing to look like film

Many photographers offer special packages for micro-weddings since the shorter duration of these events requires fewer hours of coverage. When contacting photographers, be sure to communicate the size of your group and vision for your wedding upfront.

Step 5: Choose Your Officiant

New York makes it super easy for you to use a family member or friend as your officiant, as long as they become ordained. Online platforms like the Universal Life Church allow anyone to become ordained within minutes. Once ordained, you do not have to register with the state. 

Alternatively, if you prefer a professional to perform the ceremony, New York offers an abundance of officiants specializing in religious, secular, or spiritual ceremonies.

Step 6: Book Your Accommodations

If you won't be spending the night at home, consider booking a comfortable hotel or Airbnb where you can also get ready earlier that day! If you want to maintain the element of surprise and avoid seeing your significant other until the first look or the ceremony itself, make sure you book two separate spaces. I personally like the idea of booking an Airbnb that can provide more room for hair and makeup preparations and serve as a natural gathering space for a post-ceremony celebration, whether you're in the heart of NYC or the serene Hudson Valley.

Step 7: Reserve Hair and Makeup Services

Now is the time to book your hair and makeup artists if you plan to have these services. With your schedule and accommodations in place, you can make arrangements accordingly. If you're in New York City, you'll likely have the option to visit a studio or have stylists come to you. In the more spread-out Hudson Valley, it's probably best to book an artist who can travel to your hotel or rental. While many tiny weddings don't have a wedding party, you can still make it a special experience by inviting close friends, mothers, or sisters to get their hair and makeup done all together. 

For NYC Hair & Makeup check out Faith Stanek, Simple & Sultry and Glamsquad. 

For Hudson Valley Hair & Makeup check out Bridal By Alexandria and the Luminous Bride

Step 8: Decide on Floral Arrangements

Even for a casual standing ceremony, personal flowers can add a touch of beauty. Bouquets look beautiful in pictures, while boutonnieres provide a pop of color to complement dark suits.If you are only ordering personal flowers and do not require any additional flower pieces such as centerpieces, you may need to visit the flower shop the day before or on the wedding day to pick them up. 

For Brooklyn and NYC elopements, consider floral options from Stems BK and Flower Girl NYC. 

In the Hudson Valley, explore Heart & Soil and FlowerKraut, elopement flower arrangements.

Step 9: Think About a Post-Ceremony Celebration

If you are just having an intimate ceremony with family, there are many ways to celebrate with your extended group of loved ones afterwards. For those looking to keep costs down, look for bars or restaurants where you can enjoy champagne, snacks, or desserts and keep things more laidback. For a more full-service intimate wedding, reserve a private room at a restaurant and start with passed hors d'oeuvres to allow everyone some time for conversation before the sit-down portion of the celebration. 

Another option is to save the reception for a later date. There are no rules when it comes to celebrating your love, and you can send announcements to friends and family, inviting them to join you for a party at a later time.

If you decide to do something immediately following your ceremony, book it well in advance. The last thing you want is to be scrambling to find a place on your wedding day!

Step 10: Send the Invites

Once you have everything planned out, let your crew know. With a tiny wedding, you have the freedom to get creative with your invitations. Of course, traditional invitations are great too! But if you aren’t into paper invites, digital invitation companies offer convenient alternatives. Regardless of the format, remember to communicate important details like timing, location, and attire. You may not think attire is necessary, but if you’re going for an adventurous ceremony, you’ll need to let your guests know about appropriate footwear.

I offer full-service planning for tiny groups. As you can see after reading this post, a lot goes into wedding planning, even when your guest count is small. Contact me here to get started planning your intimate celebration!