Micro Marquee Wedding

Big Love, Small Guest List: Why a micro marquee wedding might be perfect for you

What is a Micro Wedding?

A micro marquee wedding typically involves 25 guests or fewer and combines the intimacy of an elopement with the ceremony and celebration of a traditional wedding. These smaller weddings are growing in popularity across the UK, offering a deeply personal experience while still including all the essential elements – vows, reception, dining and entertainment.

Many couples are now opting for a micro marquee wedding, blending outdoor charm with a relaxed, meaningful celebration. This trend focuses on quality over quanitity, allowing every detail to reflect your relationship.

Why Micro Weddings Matter

With more couples seeking meaningful, less stressful ways to tie the knot, micro weddings have become an increasingly attractive option. Around 15% of weddings in recent years have been micro weddings, with 2% hosting just 25 guests or fewer. This movement is about more than just size – it’s about values:

Genuine connection with each guest
Flexibility and freedom in planning
Space to focus on what truly matters
Budget control without compromising style

A small marquee wedding offers a beautifully versatile space – elegant yet informal, and perfect for an intimate gathering in a garden, meadow, or countryside retreat.

How to Plan a Micro Wedding in a Small Marquee

1. Prioritise Your Guest List

Start by focusing on the people who mean the most to you. With a limited guest count, every invite carries weight. This is your chance to be selective, creating a guest list full of people who genuinely love and support you.

Tip: Start with immediate family and closest friends, then only add others if it feels essential – not out of obligation!

2. Choose the Perfect Small Marquee

Your marquee is the heart of your outdoor wedding venue, and it should reflect your style and size. Popular options for micro weddings include:

Sailcloth or stretch tents – light and airy, and effortlessly romantic
Petal Pole marquees – elegant with vintage appeal
Clearspan structures – weatherproof and modern

Tip: A 6m x 12m marquee is ideal for a wedding with 25 guests, allowing space for a ceremony, dining and dancing.

Clearspan marquee in the back garden at Great Betley Farmhouse — Marquee set up in the back garden at Great Betley Farmhouse

3. Focus on Personal Touches

Fewer guests mean you can invest more into the details that matter:

Handwritten name cards or bespoke favours
Artisan food, grazing tables, and signature cocktails
Creative décor such as floral installations, fairy lights or vintage crockery

Tip: With a micro marquee wedding, every detail is noticed and appreciated – so choose ones that reflect you as a couple and your story

Beautiful tablescape with caligraphy on the menus — Elegantly beautiful tablescape with stationery from theamyverse.com

4. Embrace a Relaxed, Flexible Schedule

One of the joys of a small marquee wedding is that you’re not tied to a rigid schedule. Your day can flow naturally:

Say your vows in the afternoon with golden-hour photos
Follow with a relaxed dinner or a picnic-style feast
Finish with an acoustic set, fire pit, or garden games under the stars

Tip: A small marquee can be easily transformed from ceremony space to dining and dancing area throughout the day.

5. Get Creative with Locations

One of the biggest advantages of a small marquee wedding is that you can host it almost anywhere:

A family garden or smallholding
A boutique glamping site or countryside B&B
A forest clearing or heritage site (with permission)

Tip: Always check access, parking, noise restrictions and insurance when choosing a non-traditional UK outdoor wedding venue.

Matt's Marquee with entrance portico and side stretch tent for additional cover — Matt’s Marquees set up with a clearspan marquee and a stretch tent on the side for additional cover in the back garden at Great Betley Farmhouse – perfect for a micro marquee wedding

6. Celebrate the Intimacy of a Micro Marquee Wedding

With just 25 guests or fewer, your wedding will feel more like a joyful gathering than a grand production:

You’ll have meaningful time with each guest
Your vows will feel more personal and emotional
You’ll enjoy a warm, relaxed atmosphere that brings people together

Tip: Think of your micro wedding as the best dinner party of your life – with a celebration built just for you!

Conclusion: Small Can Be Spectacular

Choosing a micro marquee wedding isn’t about scaling back – it’s about enriching your experience. With fewer guests, more personal touches, and a flexible, beautiful space like a small marquee, your wedding can be everything you’ve dreamed of and more.

From a carefully chosen guest list to thoughtful details and a relaxed joyful atmosphere, micro weddings offer beauty, freedom, and lasting memories.

Planning a wedding with 25 guests or fewer?

We’d love to help you craft a micro marquee wedding that’s full of meaning, charm, and love. Reach out to explor how we can bring your vision to life!