Small weddings give KC couples more bang for their buck
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Ballrooms are out. "Micro-weddings" are in — and they might be smarter, too.
The big picture: Some couples are skipping big weddings to save money and throw a more intimate gathering.
By the numbers: The average guest count nationwide was 131 in 2024, down from 184 in 2006, according to data shared with Axios by The Wedding Report.
- And smaller celebrations, those with 50 guests or fewer, made up 18% of nuptials last year, compared with 10% in 2013, per the research company.
What they're saying: "COVID really gave people permission to really cut that guest count down," Hallie Sigwing, a KC-area wedding photographer, tells Axios.
- "Part of it is you can spend less and have a way more bitchin' party," she added.
Follow the money: Pros estimate micro-weddings can cost over 50% less than traditional ones.
Zoom in: Kansas City has several micro-locations perfect for mini marriage ceremonies, including Pilgrim Chapel, The Brim and The Simpson House.
- "I did a wedding at the steps of the Nelson," Sigwing said, thanks in part to the mobile officiant service KC Weddings 2 Go.
- Vegas-style chapels and businesses offering curated micro-weddings and elopements have opened in other cities, too, such as Boston, Dallas, Portland, Oregon, and Richmond, Virginia.
Between the lines: Many brides and grooms-to-be are bracing for pricier nuptials as tariffs stand to hike the $33,000 cost of an average U.S. wedding, according to The Knot, a planning and registry site.
- Those worrying about their jobs or finances may delay celebrations altogether.
The vibe: Courthouse ceremonies and parties in cozy restaurants or backyards let couples spend more time with loved ones.
- Downsizing can also limit stress, plus free up cash for that open bar or unforgettable carving station.
What we're watching: Intimate doesn't mean boring. City hall ceremonies have become a "full-blown aesthetic."
- Pinterest searches for terms like "city hall elopement" and "courthouse wedding dress ideas" recently surged among Gen Zers.
The bottom line: No need to invite the roommate you haven't talked to since graduation.
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