Destination, elopement or microwedding—are these trends right for you?
Love is in the air, you’ve said “yes” to their proposal, and you’re set on something other than a traditional hometown wedding. Whether it’s because the idea of a 200-person banquet hall leaves you with anxiety, or you just want to do something different, there are a variety of wedding celebration trends to choose from.
Enter: the destination wedding, the elopement and the microwedding. Each has its own rhythm, guest dynamics and planning priorities. While you can mix and match any of these trends (how does eloping in Paris or hosting a microwedding in Mexico sound?), here’s what to know about how each works, the benefits and trade-offs and the details that make them shine.
Read more: Learn how to use Ally Bank’s Savings Account tools to help you save for your big day
Destination Wedding
For couples who want their “I do” to double as an adventure, a destination wedding offers the chance to wed somewhere remarkable—whether that’s a vineyard in Tuscany, a villa in Mexico or a mountaintop lodge in the Rockies. Guests can even travel in for several days, making it feel like a shared vacation. The setting becomes part of the story, and local culture, cuisine and scenery can shape the experience.
Pros: Built-in ambiance, unforgettable photos and more quality time with guests over multiple days. Costs can sometimes be offset by choosing an off-season date or a location with a favorable exchange rate.
Cons: Travel costs and logistics can limit attendance, and transporting attire or décor can add expenses. Always double check local rules, weather and time zones, as they can complicate planning.
Elopement
The ultimate “our day, our way” option, an elopement strips the wedding to its most personal essence. With few or no guests, you can set the tone entirely on your own terms—barefoot vows at sunrise, a mountaintop hike with a photographer or a ceremony in your favorite bookstore before lunch at a tucked-away café. Eloping frees you from the timelines, formalities and compromises larger weddings often demand.
Pros: Complete flexibility, minimal logistics and the ability to splurge on a few key elements—like your dream dress, a sought-after photographer or a once-in-a-lifetime location—without stretching funds across dozens of guests.
Cons: With such a small guest list, some loved ones may still want to celebrate you later, meaning you’ll need to decide how (and if) to mark the occasion again.
Microwedding
A microwedding is the sweet spot between an elopement and a full-scale affair. With usually 10 to 50 guests, you can share the day with your closest people and avoid being overwhelmed with a huge guest list. The smaller scale allows for more venue flexibility as well, like a private dining room at a beloved restaurant, a historic chapel or a family home.
Pros: This is a more intimate option than a traditional wedding but still inclusive of your nearest and dearest. The smaller scale can free up budget for elevated details—like a multi-course tasting menu, bespoke floral installations or live entertainment.
Cons: A smaller guest list doesn’t always mean smaller logistics. You’ll still coordinate many of the same elements as a full wedding, and deciding who makes the cut can be surprisingly tricky.
Which “I do” feels most like you?
So…destination, elopement or microwedding? Each offers its own brand of magic; the trick is deciding what works for you and your future spouse. After all, your perfect wedding doesn’t have to be the biggest or the boldest, just the one that is perfectly, unmistakably you.
