Say ‘I Do’ to the Micro-Wedding
With the rise of the boutique wedding and minimony, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a day full of luxury and tradition. Here's why smaller celebrations at Belmond are having their moment.
Fiancés still want to celebrate with their loved ones – that hasn’t changed. But when large gatherings were off the table in recent years, more options for the big day began to emerge... and the trend stuck. Gone are the days where a wedding had to mean hundreds of guests seated together in a busy ballroom, dancing cheek-to-cheek and bustling to catch the bouquet.
Enter the micro-wedding – a wedding with less than 20 guests, that is. In contrast to elopements, which tend to be off-the-cuff ceremonies with just a couple of witnesses, those who still want to meticulously plan their big day still can with this new style of ceremony. At micro-weddings, a couple can spend cherished time interacting with their guests. Some argue that this is better than a quick ‘hello, thank you for coming!’ you might manage at weddings with a hundred guests. There’s no distant relative sat in a far corner, craning to listen to speeches or squinting to steal a glimpse at the cake-cutting. Each guest has a premium ticket, sat front and center.
Even before the pandemic made us re-evaluate how to celebrate these occasions, the micro-wedding, or minimony, was a fast-growing trend. It’s not hard to see why. Bid adieu to that ‘package wedding’ feel. With less space and less guests, couples often have free reign to alter the layout and décor of their venue. They can shape the atmosphere to their own exacting requirements.
Just because your boutique wedding is smaller, that doesn’t have to mean a quick trip to the registrar’s office. It can be an opportunity to eschew tradition and opt for a day that’s more daring, more uniquely you. With our fully adaptable micro-wedding offerings, we prove that big isn’t always better. Your dream destination wedding awaits.
Beach Micro Weddings
REVEL IN THE RIVIERA MAYAMAROMA, RIVIERA MAYA
From the fragrant flowers to the soft flutter of hummingbirds, Mexico’s Riviera Maya brims with natural romance. Exchange your vows atop the sands at sunset, or within verdant gardens for a unique blessing with a live band.
PARADISE FOUNDCARUSO, AMALFI COAST
Exchange vows between sea and sky in the cliffs above the Amalfi Coast. With our lush gardens and a meal prepared by chef Armando Aristarco, we’re on hand to make every detail perfect. You can even wed on the waves on a private boat for up to six people.
BEACH BLISSCAP JULUCA, ANGUILLA
With pristine white sands and dazzling turquoise waters, Anguilla provides the perfect backdrop for an intimate micro-wedding. Be it a small sunset ceremony or a barefoot candlelit dinner on our platinum shores, the opportunities are endless.
BALINESE BEAUTYJIMBARAN PURI, BALI
Jimbaran is one of the best places in Bali for a wedding. At our hotel, tropical frangipani line a path to the powder-soft beach: the most blissful setting to say ‘I do.’ Make memories and marvel at the sea under our Puri Bamboo Pavilion.
A TASTE OF THAILANDNAPASAI, KOH SAMUI
The lush island of Koh Samui is a magical location to wed among friends and family. With golden sunsets and swaying palm trees, raise a toast in the tropics for a picture-perfect day.
POP CHAMPAGNEHOTEL SPLENDIDO, PORTOFINO
Say ‘I do’ at Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s favourite romantic retreat. With lush gardens and sumptuously decorated tables, a micro wedding with us is simply magical. End celebrations as moonlight glints on the sea overlooking the Gulf of Portofino.
City Micro Weddings
LOVE IN LONDONTHE CADOGAN, LONDON
A chic getaway for centuries of socialites, our London hotel is the perfect spot for a micro-wedding. Toast with glasses of fizz, stroll around Cadogan Palace Gardens with exclusive access and party the night away with your nearest and dearest.
CELEBRATIONS WITH CHARACTERCASA DE SIERRA NEVADA, SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
Exchange vows in the heart of colorful and cultural San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. In our breathtaking alfresco spaces, you and your guests will be surrounded by trees, manicured lawns and sweet-smelling flowers.
SAY 'I DO' IN SOUTH AFRICAMOUNT NELSON, CAPE TOWN
Have a minimony at Mount Nelson, a legendary Cape Town hotel, in a charming room flooded with natural light. The outdoor terrace, which can be lit with twinkling lanterns after dark, boasts magnificent views of Lion’s Head mountain.
LIMA SUNSETSMIRAFLORES PARK, LIMA
Celebrate an unforgettable moment in Lima for an intimate group with one of the best views in the capital. Our 11th floor terrace is a uniquely romantic place to say "I do", bathed in the beautiful colors of a South American sunset.
Countryside Micro Weddings
ANDES EVENTSSanctuary Lodge, Machu Picchu
Just a few steps from the impressive citadel of Machu Picchu in Peru, Sanctuary Lodge is a magical place to celebrate a one-of-a-kind spiritual union, be it a wedding or a renewal of vows. Connect with nature and the energy of the lost city of the Incas while enjoying our customized service, with the chance for a shaman to raise an offering in the ancient Andean tradition.
Romance on the RivieraEl Encanto, Santa Barbara
The breezy Santa Barbara hillside is a stunning setting for a micro-wedding. A myriad of outdoor spaces are available for your loved ones, from rooftop terraces to a charming lily pond.
Picture-perfect SpainLa Residencia, Deià
With cocktail receptions in lush gardens and sumptuous local cuisine, your special day in Deià will feel like a fairytale. Plan an unforgettable Mallorca micro-wedding among the olive trees.
Manor MatrimonyLe Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Oxfordshire
Our honey-coloured hideaway is a stunning spot for a micro-wedding. Opt for our La Belle Époque conservatory, resplendent with sweet-smelling flowers. If that doesn’t tantalize, then our two-Michelin-starred menu and walled gardens certainly will.