Micro-weddings are becoming a thing throughout Greater Philadelphia as social distancing in the COVID-19 pandemic limits guest lists, writes Laura Smythe for Philadelphia Business Journal.

Hospitality venues are adapting. The Radnor Hotel now has micro-wedding packages starting at $950.

Maisie Weir and Daniel Hartley dropped their guest list from 150 to 21 at their wedding reception last month.  A dozen more friends and family watched via Zoom nationwide and from Brazil. The reverend officiating also was virtual.

The scaled-down ceremonies mean significant savings.

Weir had a $100,000 wedding budget cut 95 percent to $5,000, due to the pandemic.

“It’s super disappointing at first, but it ended up being this really special, sweet moment that you wouldn’t have had otherwise,” Weir said. “It ended up feeling very much like just Dan and I at the end of the day.”

Planning did have its frustrations. No in-person wedding dress fittings. No hair and makeup appointments.  The couple couldn’t even visit the venue ahead of time to check it out.

Cescaphe, a Philadelphia event planning company, believes the enthusiasm for micro-weddings is temporary because of the pandemic.

As social distancing rules ease, couples will start wanting larger venues again.

Read more about this new wedding trend here.

You Might Also Like                            

Clifton Heights Dry Cleaner Hopes Grant Can Reverse Damage From a ‘Dress Casual’ Pandemic

Wedding Option: Masks and Social Distancing, Delaware County Couple Opt to Postpone

Sign of the Times: Wedding Moves From Ocean City to Their Springfield Front Porch