Micro-Wedding Day Package: Frequently Asked Questions
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Can we have more than 35 guests? 🏔
Lots of "off the beaten path" (and also VERY scenic) intimate ceremony spots max-out at 30 guests, some at 35, others at 40. There are also other factors to consider on public lands as some permit only for 12 and 15 maximum group size.
For dining, many of the restaurants can't accommodate more than 25, 30 or 40 in their private or semi-private area. We've also found that ceremonies over 30-guests run more like a traditional big wedding rather than the spirited, intimate, elopement-style, off-the-beaten-path, simple, meaningful and marriage-minded style in which this package was created. Therefore, our maximum total group size for packages are 40 people or less. This keeps the elopement-style vibe we described, even if you bring closest family/friends along to celebrate! 🏔🥂 Can we bring our own photographer 📸, florist 🌸 or officiant 💍?
Officiant: yes. Florist and photographer: No. And, here is why. Gorgeous weddings are what attracts our clients to the package. We want to ensure you receive something similar to what you see on our website. Therefore, we work with professional, experienced wedding photographers & florist in which we have established relationships for this package. We are happy to embellish the package by adding-on extra photo hours, creating centerpieces, crowns, or whatever your heart's desire.
With 20+ years in the industry, boy can we tell some stories! In the past, here is what happened when we worked with outside "professional" photographers who were really not so professional: disregarded our timing/logistics, got lost/confused, where unfamiliar with the "lay of the land" (didn't know the good shots) and our weather/lighting, really didn't have a wedding photography business (were in school learning the trade), and even "got sick" just days before the wedding. Therefore, we include the photography with downloadable high-resolution images (with printing rights) in the package. After booking our package, you'll receive a list of at least 6 photographers from whom to choose. They are familiar with our wedding day sequence, the ceremony sites, and are proven quality (we've worked with some of them 15+ years). If you'd like to add-on enlargements and albums, you can work directly with the photographer post-wedding for those items. CAN WE HAVE A MOH AND BM?
Yes! Though not necessary, some of our couples decide to have a maid/matron of honor and best man - we just make sure to order a bouquet and boutonniere for them.
If you do decide that you want a larger wedding party with choreographed entrances and exits, we can help arrange that too. It does mean that a wedding rehearsal is required (additional fee) - otherwise, it can totally "flop", and we don't want that. This is to account for extra planning & entrance/exit choreographing, day-of coordination timing and travel time/expense. If you want to save money, we have ideas on how to have a wedding party without the expense - just ask and we can make it happen for you. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE, AND WHAT IS *NOT* INCLUDED?
The intimate wedding package includes most items with a wedding, but it does not cover everything.
Included in the package is....
Below are some other possible additional cost for you to budget (yes, we provide referrals & guidance to our clients, and include those details in our logistics):
CAN WE WRITE OUR OWN VOWS? WHAT ARE THE CEREMONIES LIKE?
Yes - this is quite common. Simply email your vows to your officiant before the ceremeony. Alternately, many couples write vows in a Moleskin journal and bring it to the ceremony. At the appropriate time, the officiant will eloquently ask you to present your vows to each other.
The ceremony scrips are kept simple, though most of our officiants do nice mentionings about marriage and will say a blessing (i.e. the Apache blessing). The ceremonies last around 15 -20 minutes. Whether you want a secular or spiritual or religious or any combination ceremony - it's up to you. Just let you officiant know how to customize for you. This package is very much "elopement-style": no "hoopla" with a long train of choreographed processionals (entrances) and recessionals (exits). Though, some of our couples will have a maid-of-honor and/or a best man stand up with them - or even their kids. We do bring a BlueTooth speaker so that the bride and her escort (if she chooses to have one) can have entrance music. And, we can play pre-wedding and post-wedding music to create a personalized mood. Basically, it is kept minimal and simple so that you can enjoy the natural surroundings. You can also switch things up. For example, some couples decide to arrive to the ceremony site 15-minutes prior to their guests (great for photos) and then greet their guests at they arrive to the site. We can personalize it to your visions - just let us know! WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A WEATHER BACKUP?
The good thing is that in 10+ year of offering this elopement-style package, we've only had to use a weather back-up plan a handful of times! A typcial weather pattern for the spring & summer in Colorado is a late afternoon thunderstorm. We can usually wait it out for 15-30 minutes, and it will clear.
The fall weather is more dry and predicable, but that isn't to say there won't be freakish weather that rolls through. Again, it is sually quick and we can wait it out. Winter weather is something different: our clients that plan the outdoor winter wedding usually have a unique spirit. They get married wearing capes and snowboots in the natural beauty of snow... and we love it! Here are some options that we often consider in case it just looks like the weather will be socked-in for the day:
WHAT IS YOUR PAYMENT PLAN?
Because we book and secure the photographer, officiant and venue (if applicable) at the time of booking, we require 50% non-refundable first payment. Then, the remaining balance is not due until 14 days prior to your wedding.
Please note that vendors order supplies, schedule labor, and block off their calendars for your wedding. So, it is industry standard to receive full payment prior to your day. Its also awkward to be handing monies/payment on a wedding day - we’d rather you be focused on marriage and time with friends/family. HOW FAR-OUT (OR CLOSE-IN) CAN WE BOOK?
We make the planning easy and stress-free with providing you years of experience and expert guidance. It goes in waves. Of course, the first step is to book the package, which is also synchronized with picking the date and ceremony site. If you are struggling with sites, we recommend booking the Getting Started Colorado Site Report.
After booking our package, we move into securing your vendors (that you choose) and providing you with guidance on restaurants, lodging and hair/makeup. We provide you with "homework" items that are broken-down into easy, focused task - just one or two at a time so as not to overwhelm. Around the same time, we'll be establishing your logistics: timing/sequencing for a great wedding day flow. Once that is established, the custom designed florals and cake can begin - simply email us images. Finally, we put the finishing touches on your wedding with details like songs, getting ready, and confirmations to all the vendors. WHAT DATES ARE YOU AVAILABLE? WHAT DATES TO YOU BLOCK OFF?
Please check this link for our most updated available dates.
Because we have a network of 6 photographers, even more officiants, three onsite coordinators (not including myself), we are available most days. In order to spend time with our own families and to rejuvenate, we do block off July 3, 4 and 5, Labor Weekend, Thanksgiving and the Friday/Saturday after, and December 22 - January 2nd. I’m sorry - but we do not do NYE or NYD weddings so that we can be safe and healthy for a New Year. I do try to update any dates that we get filled on our “Contact” page. DO YOU DO LGBTQ+ MARRIAGES? 🏳️🌈
Yes, ..... you don't have to ask here. And, so do most all our vendors (we guide you through the ones best suitable for you). To us, it doesn't matter who you love, just as long as kindness, happiness and commitment to each other are at the heart of your relationship.
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Micro-Wedding Day ScheduleTake a peek at this behind-the scenes video of what a micro-wedding day-of coordinator does. And yes, we include an onsite coordinator in every elopement, micro-wedding and small wedding package.
Small Wedding ItineraryIn the video below, Wendee shows you various examples of elopement and small wedding day timing/sequencing with a variety of elements to make your day go smoothly. And yes, we help create your micro-wedding day "Agenda"
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