It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by how to get married nowadays! With the rise of social media, we’ve learned so much about different kinds of weddings: Traditional Weddings, Micro-Weddings, and Elopements. Take this quiz (TigerBeat/ Seventeen Magazine style) to find what type of wedding fits you best! First, let’s do a quick overview of each!

What is a traditional wedding?

A traditional wedding is what you think of when you’re thinking “wedding!” A large venue to accommodate over 100 guests, a getting ready space, ceremony space, and a reception with a DJ and fun lights! 

What is a micro wedding (or intimate wedding)?

A micro wedding is a lot smaller than a traditional wedding (50 guests at most) but still have all the traditional aspects! You usually invite close friends and family, but maybe not your 3rd cousins. I love that microweddings have more of a community aspect where some people help set up your ceremony space! Micro weddings can be a fun backyard wedding, or can be in a state or national park! Most parks cap the guest count at 50 for certain locations, so this is perfect if you love being outdoors for your wedding, but you want more people to be there on your wedding day!

What is an elopement?

Elopements are great for couples who love an intimate experience! In the 21st century, elopements are more so about having quality time with your partner in the great outdoors! Elopements are more of a stress free way to get married and have some non-traditional activities (like canoeing, hiking, making breakfast, etc!) It’s easy to get married anywhere you have your heart set on with a max of about 10 guests.

Quiz time! What type of wedding should you have?

1. How many people do you really want at your wedding?
   1. You want a big party! Everyone should be dancing and celebrating with you two!! (Over 100 people)
   2. You have lots of friends and family you want to invite, but it wouldn’t be more than 50 people
   3. Just your closest people! (No more than 10)

2. When you close your eyes, what do you envision your venue looking like?
   1. A stunning venue filled with your favorite people, florals, and beautiful decor!
   2. A backyard wedding with sweet decorations, all your people helping you set up for the day
   3. Out in nature with the birds chirping, a cool breeze though your hair, with your closest people

3. Who is involved with planning your day?
   1. A wedding planner, your parents, open to extended families opinions
   2. Day of coordinator, maybe your closest people
   3. Just the two of you with help from vendors

4. How much do you want to spend on your wedding day?
   1. Sky is the limit!
   2. No more than $20,000
   3. No more than $10,000

5. What are some activities that would be meaningful to you on your wedding day?
   1. Getting ready with your best friends, first looks with your partner and parents, huge party with line dancing!
   2. A slow morning with your partner, your community coming together to help set up for your wedding, a sweet potluck dinner and dancing under fairy lights
   3. Vow writing with your partner in a cute airbnb you rented, a short hike to an overlook where you drink coffee you packed, end the day reading congratulations letters from your loved ones by a campfire

6. Would you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert?
   1. You could have all the attention on you with no issues!
   2. You’re totally comfortable talking to people you know and who you’re close to!
   3. You’d rather not have a bunch of people staring at you while you have to kiss your partner

7. What do you see yourself eating on your wedding day?
   1. Catered food with a late night snack!
   2. A potluck or pizza party!
   3. A sweet meal cooked by you two together

8. What would you regret not doing on your wedding day?
   1. The cupid shuffle with all your guests!
   2. Not getting photos with everyone you invited
   3. Not putting you and your partner’s wants first when it comes to planning

9. In three words, how would you describe your dream wedding day?
   1. Fun, party, traditional
   2. Community, sweet, small
   3. Intimate, nature, adventure 

10. When looking back on photos, what do you want to remember about your wedding day?
    1. All your friends and family, how you decorated your venue, the candid moments throughout your party
    2. The sense of community there was to celebrate your love, your closest people, how many people were there to love and support you
    3. The fun adventure you had that day, how much you love your time with your partner, all the intimate moments you got to share with just each other

Results!

If you answered mainly A’s…. You should have a traditional wedding

You love tradition and a good party! Hanging out and inviting all your people means a lot to you and who doesn’t love doing the YMCA at a wedding reception? Getting ready with your friends, first looks, a beautifully decorated ceremony, family photos, cocktail hour, and a fun reception are totally up your aly and a perfect fit for a traditional wedding!

Pros for a traditional wedding:

You can invite all the people you want!

You can have a nicely catered meal

Lots of vendors are close by so travel fees won’t be an issue

A wedding planner or day of coordinator is close by and takes care of stressful situations!

Cons for a traditional wedding:

Typically more expensive than the other options

You may be paying for guests you don’t necessarily like, but feel obligated to invite

Your day may feel overwhelming or fast

Family member’s opinions may step on how you actually want your day to go

Looking for traditional wedding photography packages?

I’m your gal! Based out of Utah and Oregon, I’ve been a wedding photographer for years, and I absolutely love spending time celebrating you two, as well as busting a move on the dance floor! 

My wedding packages start at $4,000 and you can reach out to me here!

If you answered mainly B’s…… You should have a micro wedding!

You still love having a larger celebration, but you’d prefer to do it with the people that are most special to you. Micro weddings have a way of bringing people together and create a great sense of community. More laid back than a traditional wedding, but with the same traditional aspects like getting ready photos, wedding decor, and a fun reception! You love the traditional outline, but with a smaller guest count, you can make it more casual like a backyard wedding, or in a national park’s amphitheater! 

Pros for a micro wedding:

You are surrounded by the guests that mean the most to you!

There’s more flexibility on locations 

There’s a stronger sense of community

Cons for a micro wedding:

Some people may be offended they didn’t get an invite

You may have a lot of people hanging out at your house

It might be hard to narrow down the guest list

Looking for micro wedding photography packages?

I’m your gal! Based out of Utah and Oregon, I’ve been an intimate wedding photographer for years, and I absolutely love spending time celebrating you two, and meeting your loved ones to capture candid and storytelling moments!

My wedding packages start at $4,000 and you can reach out to me here!

If you answered mainly C’s……. You should have an elopement!

You and your partner love spending time together just the two of you! You like having free reign on your day and planning this with your best friend! Being outdoors matters a lot to you and you love soaking in beautiful scenery when tying the knot. You don’t mind if a few people come, but you prioritize you and your partner’s choices and wishes about how you want your wedding day to go!

Pros for an elopement:

It’s all about you and your partner!

You get to customize your timeline to be non-traditional and include your favorite activities!

You get to spend all day in a place you choose or somewhere meaningful to you

Cons for an elopement:

Permits may be difficult to get

A lot of people get cut from your guest list

Weather may not be on your side

Looking for elopement photography packages?

I’m your gal! Based out of Utah and Oregon, I’ve been an elopement photographer for years, and I absolutely love being outside and helping you plan your perfect day!

My elopement packages start at $2,900 and you can reach out to me here!

Next steps once you have your wedding results!

Remember that this quiz is a guide, not a rulebook! If you got “elopement” but you have your heart set on a traditional wedding, the choice is yours! Based on my experience, your answers to these questions point you in a direction to have the best wedding experience for you! It gets you started to go down the right rabbit hole when planning your wedding day!

I’m curious! What was your result?