Small Guest List, Big Dreams: Planning the perfect micro wedding
Planning your dream wedding doesn’t have to mean a guest list of 200, a ballroom, or a towering cake. In fact, more Canadian couples are opting for micro weddings—intimate celebrations with 50 guests or fewer—that focus on connection, personalization, and meaningful details.
Whether you’re tying the knot in a backyard garden or a lakeside cabin, a smaller wedding can still pack a punch when it comes to style, romance, and memorable moments. From charming heritage homes in Ontario to rustic-chic barns in Alberta, Canada is full of quaint wedding venues perfect for a smaller celebration.
Here’s what you need to know when planning a micro wedding—including the insurance considerations that are easy to overlook!
The upside of going small
Micro weddings are popular for a reason. Here are just a few benefits:
- Personalization: With fewer people to please, you can focus on what matters most to you—whether that’s a handwritten ceremony script, a gourmet dinner, or live acoustic music.
- Budget-friendly: Smaller weddings often mean lower costs—but couples also tend to reinvest their savings into quality over quantity.
- Flexibility: Quaint wedding venues like bed-and-breakfasts, art galleries, or family homes and cottages are more accessible when you’re not accommodating a huge crowd.
Key considerations for wedding planning
- Maximize your venue coverage
Even small weddings can come with big responsibilities. Many intimate venues still require couples to carry event liability insurance to protect against property damage or personal injury during the event. The good news is these policies can also cover rehearsal venues and gatherings or day-after parties, where you can extend coverage to multiple locations over multiple days. Whether your venue is a boutique winery or your aunt’s backyard, speaking with your broker can help you understand exactly what’s needed. - Understand your liquor license and liability
Planning to serve alcohol? Even for a private event or liquor served in the style of an open bar or cash bar, in most provinces, you’ll need a Special Occasion Permit or liquor license. This often goes hand-in-hand with host liquor liability insurance, which protects you in case alcohol-related incidents occur. It’s especially important when the guest list is cozy and people feel comfortable letting loose! - Have a backup plan for weather changes
Outdoor micro weddings are dreamy—until the rain clouds roll in. Make sure your event insurance includes protection for unexpected weather cancellations or damages. Your broker can walk you through your options!
Don’t skip the insurance, even for a small wedding
It might feel like overkill to think about insurance when your wedding is tiny, but protecting your big day is just as important when things are scaled down. From last-minute vendor cancellations to accidental damage at your venue, having the right coverage gives you peace of mind, so you can focus on what really matters.
Celebrate small but dream big
Your micro wedding isn’t a compromise—it’s a chance to create something truly personal and memorable. With the right planning (and protection), you can enjoy your celebration knowing everything is covered.
Ready to get started? Talk to a Westland Insurance advisor today to make sure your quaint wedding is protected from “I do” to last dance. Get a quote and buy online today.
Front Row Insurance Brokers Inc. is a Westland broker specializing in event and entertainment insurance.
