Congratulations on your engagement! Planning a wedding, especially at a stunning place like the Grand Canyon, brings so much excitement but also a slew of new ways to say “I’m getting married.” This includes terms like micro weddings, elopements, and minimonies.
We’re going to give simple, easy-to-understand explanations and details about each type of ceremony to find the one that suits your big day the best.
Table of Contents: Micro Wedding, Elopement, and Minimony
How to Start Planning Your Grand Canyon Wedding
Before getting swept up in the title of your destination wedding at the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, or Sedona, it all starts with what you want your event to look like.
How many people do you want? Micro weddings, minimonies, and elopements largely fall into particular categories based on how many guests you’ll have.
Do you want a reception? Another key factor to choosing an elopement vs. minimony vs micro wedding is if you’ll have a reception following the ceremony. Again, there is no right or wrong answer. You choose what fits your preferences and budget.
What traditional or unique aspects would you like? Elopements and weddings at the Grand Canyon can be short and sweet, with just exchanging vows at one of six scenic viewpoints. Yet others choose additional activities like family photos, cake cutting, dinner and sunset viewing.
Understanding Elopements
Elopements used to carry a bit of a stigma, often associated with hasty, secretive ceremonies. However, modern elopements are far from this stereotype.
Today’s elopements are intentional, intimate, and often quite romantic. The focus is on the couple, from laid-back to bougie. They typically involve just the couple, an officiant, and up to 10 special guests.
Planning a Grand Canyon Elopement? Review our specially curated list of Elopement Packages
Elopements eliminate traditional pressure points of a full-blown wedding extravaganza. This simplicity allows for a deeply personal and meaningful experience, especially when at a destination location like the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Minimony Meaning
The term “minimony” emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic as couples were forced to rethink their wedding plans due to restrictions on gatherings. While we’re beyond pandemic restrictions, the term wed itself into planning vernacular.
A minimony is essentially a mini ceremony—but larger than an elopement. Guest lists generally fall into 11-25 people, and Grand Canyon Wedding Packages can accommodate any add-ons you’d like, such as family photos.
The biggest difference between a minimony and an elopement or micro wedding is a minimony doesn’t have a meal served. Minimonies are usually planned with the intention of hosting a larger celebration at a later date. The idea is to create a meaningful moment that can later be expanded upon.
What is a Micro Wedding?
A micro wedding scales back traditional wedding festivities. Typically, micro weddings involve 20-50 guests. You get a pared-down experience while still having a dinner, sunset viewing, cake cutting, or first dance for the couple or with parents.
If you want the traditional wedding experience but with more focus on specific activities, like cake cutting and a meal, a micro wedding might be the perfect fit.
Summary of Elopement vs. Minimony vs. Micro Wedding
Microwedding
About 20-50 people, with a pared-down version of a traditional wedding.
Planning a Grand Canyon National Park Wedding
As noted above, it’s less important if you have a micro wedding, minimony, or elopement and more important to have the wedding day of your dreams.
We’ve hosted hundreds of weddings throughout Northern Arizona, with specialties at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, Flagstaff, and Sedona. Reach out to us to start planning your Northern Arizona destination wedding today.
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