Sasha Dobies, photographer and founder of Lovebirds by Sherbet Birdie, knows that not every love story fits the traditional mould. Drawing from her own journey with her partner of 22 years, Sasha shares the ultimate guide to planning a micro wedding – a heartfelt and practical resource for couples seeking a celebration that’s intimate, meaningful, and true to them. The fabulous photographs featured throughout this piece are captured by Sasha herself –colourful, bright, and full of joyful, happy moments that reflect the spirit of micro weddings beautifully.

When I first started thinking about offering micro weddings it came from a deeply personal place. After 22 years with my partner, we still hadn’t had a wedding. Not because we didn’t want to, but because we didn’t have the time, money, or desire to be the centre of attention in a big traditional way. The I realised that we weren’t alone.

So many couples are looking for alternatives that feel more “them.” That’s where the magic of micro weddings comes in with intimate, intentional celebrations, where love takes centre stage.

Here’s what I’ve learned along the way about planning a micro wedding that’s just as meaningful (if not more so) than the big day.

1. Small Guest List, Big Heart

A micro wedding usually includes 2–30 guests, and that shift in numbers can completely transform the feel of the day. With fewer people in the room, you’re not just “hosting” you’re connecting. Conversations are richer, nerves are calmed, and there’s a shared sense of intimacy that can be deeply moving.

It’s not about excluding people. It’s about creating a space where you feel safe, seen, and surrounded by those who matter most.

2. Prioritise What Matters (and Ditch the Rest)

When you’re not trying to juggle dozens of moving parts, you can slow down and ask “what do we actually want?.” For some couples, it’s heartfelt vows in a beautiful space and for others, it’s a relaxed afternoon followed by a dinner with their nearest and dearest.

The gift of going small is that you can choose meaning over momentum. You don’t have to include cake-cutting, bouquet tossing, or seating charts unless they feel right for you.

3. Keep Your Suppliers as Central as Possible

Here’s the part many people underestimate – wedding planning, even for a micro wedding, involves a lot of unpaid labour.

Let’s break it down. Someone has to think about and coordinate:

  • wedding dress or wedding party outfits
  • hair and makeup
  • florals
  • catering and beverages
  • cake
  • decor and styling
  • music or DJ
  • celebrant and legal paperwork
  • photographer and videographer
  • travel and parking
  • weather contingency
  • seating
  • accessories
  • the venue itself

Each one of these moving parts takes time, energy, communication, and sometimes troubleshooting.

If you’re not careful, you’ve accidentally signed yourself up for a second full-time job as a wedding planner! For many couples already juggling careers, families, financial pressures or life stress, it’s just too much.

That’s why, if you’re planning a micro wedding, one of the most important things you can do is seek out a venue or service that manages as many of these elements for you as possible. It saves you time (and time is money), but more importantly, it saves you stress. You’re not meant to become a logistics expert – that’s what the professionals are here for.

Let the experts guide you! You get to relax and focus on what matters which is celebrating your love.

4. Make Sure Your Venue Is a Safe, Welcoming Space for All Love Stories

No two love stories are the same, and your wedding should honour that. Whether you’re LGBTQI+, a proud goth, a glamour-loving couple, vintage romantics, or wild for a little Vegas-style sparkle, your venue should hold space for who you truly are.

When you’re planning something as meaningful as a wedding no matter the size, feeling safe and celebrated is essential. Ask questions! Look for signs of inclusivity! Make sure the people guiding you through the day see you!

5. Give Yourself Permission to Do It Differently

There’s no “right” way to do a micro wedding. You might elope with just a couple of witnesses, or you might invite a few loved ones and exchange vows in a heritage building or your favourite local park.

You might wear a flowing gown, a sequinned jumpsuit, or a perfectly tailored suit. You might read poetry, play your favourite song, or walk down the aisle together. The beauty of micro weddings is how flexible they are, and how much they can reflect who you really are.

6. Less Pressure, More Presence

Without the stress of entertaining a large group or coordinating a full day itinerary, there’s more room for presence. Time slows down. You’re not being whisked away for the next “moment,” you’re living in the one you’re in.

From a photography perspective, this can be incredibly powerful. The quiet, the closeness, the unscripted emotion, they create a kind of magic that’s hard to manufacture.

7. Budget Can Reflect Your Values

Micro weddings can be more affordable yes, but they can also help you direct your budget toward what actually matters to you. Instead of feeling stretched thin trying to cover food and drinks for 100 people, you might choose to invest in a few thoughtful details: a keepsake bouquet, a photographer who puts you at ease, or a space that speaks to your aesthetic.

And for some couples, it’s about starting married life without the stress of debt or financial strain, which is just as romantic in my opinion!

8. It’s Still Your Wedding Day

This is the most important part – small doesn’t mean lesser. A micro wedding is still a wedding. It’s a commitment, a moment, a celebration. It still deserves joy and intention and care. It might look different to the traditional script but that difference is where so many couples find the most meaning.

Whether you’re neurodivergent, LGBTQI+, budget-conscious, time-poor, camera-shy, or simply not interested in the performance of a big wedding a micro wedding give you space to choose love in your own way.

I hope this guide helps you feel empowered to explore the idea and shape it into something that feels truly yours!

A heartfelt thank you to Sasha Dobies for sharing her insight, experience, and joyful imagery with us on Polka Dot Wisdom today. Her passion for capturing love in all its authentic, vibrant forms shines through in every word and photo – and we’re so thrilled to have her contribute to the conversation around meaningful, modern weddings.

About Sherbet Birdie: Sasha Dobies is the founder and creative director of Sherbet Birdie Photography and Lovebirds Micro Wedding Venue. She is known for creating empowering editorial-style shoots and whimsical vintage sets. With a background in media and a passion for inclusive beauty, Sasha also launched Lovebirds by Sherbet Birdie – a unique micro-wedding and elopement experience for couples craving something intimate, creative, and joyfully non-traditional.