Micro weddings have been around for as long as couples have been tying the knot, but they made a big resurgence in the post-pandemic era, and they’re not going away anytime soon.

Our 2025 wedding season prediction: micro weddings are IN—and they’re here to stay.

Now, we may be biased (speaking as a micro wedding photographer), but there’s a good reason we have a soft spot for intimate weddings. There’s a certain magic about smaller gatherings where a couple and their nearest & dearest gather together to celebrate their love and commitment to one another, and while we’re all for big weddings too, the unique beauty of a micro wedding is just in a league of its own.

If you’re thinking of having a micro wedding in 2025, we’re here to share the reasons why these intimate, small weddings are continuing strong in the new year’s wedding trends and why they’re here to stay—and most of all, why you should consider one, too.

In this economy, it almost feels like the cost of buying fresh fruit at the grocery store is about the same as booking your wedding venue.

As most of us are tightening our wallets and seeing our dollars stretch thinner and thinner, weddings are also feeling the pinch. Many couples are opting for a small, intimate or micro wedding as a means to tie the knot on a budget or even getting married in their own backyard. And finding the wedding venue of your dreams without breaking the bank? That feels more like a pipe dream.

However, finding an affordable wedding venue doesn’t have to cause undue stress. Whether you’re booking an Orlando-area wedding venue under $2,000 or just looking to pinch a few pennies, we’re here to share some creative ways to save a few extra dollars on your dream wedding venue.

Save your pennies for a rainy day and try these 9 wallet-friendly tactics to save money on your wedding venue (I guarantee you #8 will surprise you)!

If you’re looking to plan a wedding in Orlando or the Central Florida area, your first Google search for “affordable wedding venues near me” will yield an overwhelming amount of results (trust me, I’ve looked). Orlando, FL is an incredibly popular wedding destination for locals and destination weddings or elopements alike, due to its theme parks, beautiful natural scenery, gorgeous weather, and proximity to beaches. From unique wedding venues to traditional wedding venues; indoor weddings to outdoor elopements—Central Florida has it all.

But when you’re planning an intimate micro wedding or elopement, it can take hours of planning and researching to find the perfect wedding venue that’s also affordable and inexpensive.

We’ve done the hard work for you: as a couple who struggled to find affordable wedding venues in Central Florida for our own wedding, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of the best wedding venues under $2,000 in the Orlando area in Central FL: proving that it is possible to have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank.

When you’re looking to hire a wedding photographer, you might see the phrase “micro wedding photographer” pop up during your online search. As a newly engaged couple who’s just trying to find someone who can hold a camera within your budget and with Insta-worthy quality, the last thing you need is one more complicated term to confuse your search efforts.

But what exactly is a micro wedding photographer, and what makes them different from the hundreds of other wedding photographers out there?

The answer might surprise you—and it might make a world of difference to your wedding day.

We’re here to share what micro wedding photographers do differently (including why we decided to niche into this very special type of wedding) and how hiring one—or not hiring one—could impact your wedding day.

Just because you’re throwing a small wedding doesn’t mean the planning process will be any easier. In fact, some might say that throwing an intimate micro wedding comes with even more to-do’s than planning a larger bash, simply because more of the details and decisions are on your shoulders. So when you’re juggling planning your own wedding, fending off decor ideas from your mother, and paying your bills, things are bound to fall through the cracks—either intentionally or unintentionally.

Worse, many couples treat planning their intimate wedding a bit too casually and discover all too late how a lack of planning can end up costing them their dream wedding day. Many of these mistakes are totally preventable, yet newly-engaged lovebirds can fall prey to entering their micro wedding planning season thinking that love is all they need.

In this follow-up blog post to our previous one, 9 regrettable mistakes couples make with their wedding photography, we’re covering common mistakes couples make when planning a small, intimate wedding or micro wedding. Keep reading for an intimate wedding day that’s stress-free, smooth, and everything you’ve dreamed it will be!

When newly-engaged couples think about hiring a wedding photographer, usually it’s just relegated to a single item on a checklist: “✅ Hire a wedding photographer.” Once that contract is signed, all that’s left is to tell your wedding photographer when and where to show up!

Right?...

As an intimate micro wedding and elopement photographer and videographer, I’ve seen so many beautiful wedding photo moments—tears, laughter, pure magic. But I’ve also witnessed some common mistakes couples make when it comes to capturing the most treasured moments of their lives. In short: there’s a lot more that you need to think about in regards to your wedding photography before you walk down the aisle.

Let’s chat about these 9 regrettable pitfalls couples make with their wedding photography—and how you can ensure your special day is captured in all its stunning glory.

When you think of eloping in Florida, the image of a sunset exchanging of vows on a sandy beach is often the first thing that comes to mind. Dreaming of feeling the sand between your toes as you stand hand-in-hand with your beloved? Oh-so-romantic. Creating lists of all the technical hoops, legalities, and logistics of planning a Florida elopement? Not-so-romantic.

No matter where you’re traveling from to elope in Florida—whether you’re a local to the Sunshine State or a traveler from abroad—it can be overwhelming to conduct research on getting married in another location. We’re here to share a Floridian wedding professional’s advice for planning your destination elopement right here in sunny Florida. Grab your sunglasses and get reading!

When adulthood hits and that ring finally makes it to your finger, planning a wedding looks nothing like our childhood imagingings. From finding out your dream wedding venue costs how much?! to late-night arguments *ahem, discussions* about wedding budgets with your soon-to-be-spouse, the reality of planning a wedding—especially in this economy—can be a bit…daunting.

So when you’re cozied up on the couch, scrolling through wedding venue options and feeling the sting of those hefty price tags, consider a thought: what if your dream wedding venue was just a few steps away?

Getting married at home might sound unconventional, but it’s an increasingly popular trend that’s not just practical but full of heart. As a micro wedding photographer, we at Author Made have witnessed the rare beauty of home weddings, and we’re here to spill the beans on why you should consider this heartfelt option.

Nestled in the heart of Central Florida, Orlando is renowned for its world-famous theme parks and entertainment venues. However, beyond the iconic attractions lies several natural wonders, cultural gems, and architectural marvels. In this article we are featured in, Redfin reached out to local photographers to unveil 11 beautiful places that showcase the best sides of Orlando. From the timeless allure of the Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum to the serene landscapes of Moss Park, this list invites you to discover the often-overlooked treasures that make Orlando a truly enchanting place to live. So, whether you are renting an apartment in Orlando, have just purchased a home in the area, or planning to say “I do” in the Sunshine State, step off the beaten path to get to know this city’s unique charm.

Wedding photography? In this economy??

I feel you. Planning a wedding in 2024’s economy is like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle—it’s daunting, and the budget is often the first thing that goes up in flames.

If you’re stressing about capturing the memories of your special day without setting your wallet ablaze, you’re not alone. As a wedding photographer who specializes in small, intimate micro weddings and elopements, I know the struggle is real. As newly-engaged couples increasingly opt for small weddings, micro weddings, or elopements as a smart way to save money on their wedding, finding a wedding photographer and videographer who fits their minimalist budgets is difficult.

But you don’t have to sacrifice quality while you’re trying to save money on your wedding photography. Before you throw in the towel, let’s dive into these 7 savvy ways to make sure your wedding photos are as beautiful as your love story—without the financial stress.

You’ve found your perfect match, and the two of you are buzzing about beginning your happily-ever-after together. Wedding planning is in full swing, you’ve said “yes” to your dress, and everything is falling into place. But there’s one thing that sends a shiver down your introverted spine—being the center of attention, posing for countless photos and videos on your wedding day.

As a wedding photographer and wedding videographer who specializes in capturing the beauty of small, intimate micro weddings and elopements—and as an introvert myself married to another introvert—I get it. The idea of flashing lights, staged smiles, and forced poses can be daunting for introverts like us, especially when we already feel self-conscious about appearing in photos. It’s not just about saying “I do” anymore; it’s about saying it in front of the lens while still feeling authentically you.

So if your fear of appearing on camera is overshadowing your excitement for your big day, let’s dive into the world of wedding photography from one introvert to another and learn how to balance preserving cherished memories and wanting to avoid the spotlight.

Feeling uncomfortable about showing up in your own wedding photos? We’re sharing tips to make your wedding day photos as genuine and comfortable as your love story.