10 Micro Wedding Ideas for Small Celebrations
Micro weddings, characterised by intimate and thoughtfully curated celebrations, are becoming increasingly popular for couples who wish to prioritise quality over quantity. Offering a more personal and stress-free alternative to traditional large-scale weddings, they allow couples to focus on meaningful moments with their closest friends and family.
Kent, with its rolling countryside, historic manors, and charming coastal towns, provides the perfect setting for a small yet unforgettable celebration. Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony or a relaxed gathering, here are ten inspiring micro-wedding ideas to make your day truly special.
1. Choose a Venue with Character and Charm
When it comes to micro-weddings, the setting truly matters. You’ll want somewhere with warmth, beauty, and a sense of exclusivity.
Salomons Estate offers several spaces that feel both grand and intimate, like the Gold Room, with its historic features and soft natural light, or the Drawing Room, perfect for an intimate wedding breakfast. With original fireplaces, high ceilings and elegant décor, our smaller wedding venues feel equally as special without needing a guest list of hundreds.
2. Host a Garden Ceremony or Drinks Reception
Outdoor ceremonies are ideal for smaller celebrations, allowing guests to feel more connected to the moment and surroundings.
Salomons’ expansive lawns and rolling gardens provide the perfect setting for a romantic alfresco ceremony, followed by a drinks reception on The Terrace overlooking the estate. Add rustic garden furniture, wildflower arrangements, and a string quartet to set the tone for a memorable micro-wedding.
3. Create a Personalised Dining Experience
With fewer guests, you can elevate your wedding breakfast into something truly bespoke.
Work with in-house chefs to curate a seasonal menu using Kentish produce, perhaps a sharing-style feast or a curated wine pairing. You’ll have more room (and budget) to focus on the details, from printed menus to personalised place settings.
4. Feature Local Florals and Natural Styling
Ditch formal arrangements and go for wild, romantic florals inspired by Kent’s countryside.
At Salomons Estate, wildflower-style arrangements look beautiful sitting against the historic interiors, especially in the Gold Room and Conservatory, two of our most popular wedding venues for smaller celebrations. Use seasonal blooms, trailing foliage and soft textures to reflect the gardens just outside.
5. Host a Toasting Moment Instead of Speeches
In smaller weddings, traditional speeches can sometimes feel a little formal or intimidating, but a more relaxed “toasting moment” encourages everyone to feel included without the pressure.
It creates a warm, heartfelt atmosphere full of laughter, stories, and love, without the need for a microphone or a running order.
6. Capture the Day with a Private First Look
One of the joys of a smaller wedding is having time for those quiet, meaningful moments, like a ‘first look’ photo session before the ceremony.
With Salomons Estate’s sprawling grounds, you’ll find tucked-away corners to meet your partner in private, away from guests, and soak up that pre-ceremony excitement. It’s a beautiful way to settle your nerves, share a few tears (or laughs), and capture heartfelt images without the rush.
7. Arrange a Live Painter or Sketch Artist
Uniquely capture your day by hiring a live wedding artist to paint or sketch during the ceremony or reception. Salomons Estate’s intimate and beautiful venues boast natural light for a stunning canvas, and guests will love watching the artwork come to life.
8. Turn it into a Weekend Retreat
One of the best perks of a small wedding? You have a little more budget to work with, allowing you to turn your dream day into a meaningful weekend getaway with those you love most.
Salomons Estate boasts six beautiful countryside cottages, providing ample space to accommodate your loved ones so you and your guests can stay overnight, relax together, and make the most of every moment. From a welcome dinner to a farewell breakfast, it’s the perfect way to transform your wedding into a memorable mini getaway.
9. Quiet Corners for Private Moments
Big weddings often rush by, but small celebrations give you space to breathe. Find a venue with secluded pathways, woodland trails and peaceful spots, like a lake or stream, perfect for sneaking away for quiet time or candid photography. Your photographer will love capturing those unscripted, emotional moments!
10. Focus on Meaningful Details
When you’re not catering to a huge crowd, you can focus your energy (and budget) on details that truly matter to you.
Think handwritten letters for each guest, locally made favours, vintage tableware, or a guestbook full of polaroids and personal notes. Our award-winning wedding team is on hand to help bring these ideas to life, ensuring every part of the day reflects your story.
Micro Weddings at Salomons Estate
Whether you’re imagining an intimate ceremony or a candlelit wedding breakfast, Salomons Estate provides the perfect backdrop for smaller celebrations. Our all-inclusive micro wedding offering, the ‘Intimate Wedding Package’ has been designed especially for couples looking to celebrate in a more meaningful and personalised way, surrounded by the people who matter most.
Explore what’s included and start envisioning your special day by clicking below.