Our ultimate guide to planning a micro wedding in Orlando in 2026
Affordability has never been more in style. Micro weddings in Orlando, which once began as a post-pandemic trend, have ended up as a permanent shift in how couples choose to tie the knot. 2026 couples find micro weddings more appealing than ever for their affordability, practicality, and emphasis on meaningful celebrations with loved ones.
Orlando, FL is ranked the #1 city in the U.S. to get married, and it’s not hard to see why. Offering a robust network of wedding professionals (like us!), abundant hotels for out-of-town guests, numerous wedding venues suiting any style, and well-loved attractions, it’s one of the most popular destinations in the U.S. for intimate, intentional weddings that prioritize experience over excess.
This guide is our best advice for planning an affordable micro wedding in Orlando in 2026. We’re sharing what a micro wedding actually is (because everyone seems to have a different definition), how much a micro wedding costs in 2026, how to find your dream venue, legal requirements, weather considerations, and more. Our hope is that this guide serves as a complete, practical resource for planning your intimate wedding in the Central Florida area—all from the perspective of a wedding professional and local resident!
HOW TO PLAN A MICRO WEDDING IN ORLANDO IN 2026
What is a micro wedding?
A micro wedding is an intentionally scaled-back wedding celebration with a small guest count, typically ranging from 10-50 guests, that is designed to prioritize intimacy and connection without sacrificing the usual elements (ceremony, attire, vows, and a meal) of a traditional wedding.
In Orlando, micro weddings are most commonly hosted in gardens, private homes, parks, or small venues designed for intimate guest counts.
The terms elopement, micro wedding, and small wedding are often used interchangeably; and while an elopement is, in all fairness, a small-scale way to get married, for the purposes of this guide we would differentiate the three categories primarily based on guest count.
So how many guests is considered a micro wedding?
Typical Guest Count Ranges
Elopement: 0–9 guests
Micro wedding: 10–50 guests
Small wedding: 50–75 guests
FURTHER READING: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MICRO WEDDING AND AN ELOPEMENT?
Why micro weddings are surging in popularity in 2026
While micro weddings have always been a part of wedding culture, their popularity began to rise in summer 2020—and hasn’t slowed down since:
However, the pandemic alone doesn’t explain the continued popularity of micro weddings. Here’s why we think micro weddings are continuing stronger than ever into 2026:
Economic downturn & increased cost of living: As everyday housing, food, and utility expenses continue to rise (just to name a few), more and more couples are tightening their wedding budgets to prioritize their financial future over a one-day event.
Rising wedding industry costs: As wedding venues and caterers feel the economic pinch, they raise their rates to cover their own increased internal costs, leaving many couples feeling disillusioned with the sheer expense of getting married.
Increasing wedding-day debt: With 56% of couples going into debt to pay for their wedding according to recent national surveys (and many of them sharing their regrets on TikTok), newly-engaged couples see micro weddings as an appealing alternative to tie the knot without the financial aftermath.
Focus on connection and meaning: Ultimately, many couples want their big day to be more about their love story and their loved ones than about throwing a grand event that leaves them stressed, rushing through a strict timeline that leaves little room for quality time with their guests.
Why is Orlando a top micro wedding destination?
Ranked the #1 city in the U.S. to get married by WalletHub, Orlando (and the greater Orlando area throughout Central Florida) holds strong micro wedding destination appeal for locals and out-of-towners alike.
Year-round wedding season: While technically, Orlando’s wedding season peaks during the cooler months from October through May, weddings are popular year-round thanks to the temperate climate (and abundance of indoor options for those less-than-ideal months).
Vast network of wedding professionals: Boasting a strong community of wedding vendors per capita, couples really can take their pick of the best wedding photographers, caterers, hair & makeup artists, DJs, florists, and more.
Plenty of attraction and lodging for guests: Between its world-renowned theme parks, proximity to beaches, and abundant lodging, it’s easy for visiting guests to not only find a place to stay but have plenty of entertainment options for the rest of their trip.
Diverse array of wedding venues: Dreaming of a botanical garden micro wedding? A historic home wedding venue? Getting married in a museum? Or underneath a stately oak tree? You really can do it all in Orlando (and yes, all of these include wedding venues under $2,000!).
Relative affordability: A 75-guest wedding in Orlando is about 23% less expensive than a comparable wedding in Miami, saving couples roughly $8,000–$9,000 on average.
2. Pros & cons of having a micro wedding in Orlando
There are so many great reasons to have a micro wedding in Orlando, but perhaps you’re on the fence—are there any reasons not to get married on a small scale? The answer: it depends on what’s most important to you.
Pros
Lower overall wedding cost
More unique, unconventional, and affordable venue options
More flexibility with timelines
Less stress on your wedding day
More time spent with guests
Cons
Traditional venues often out of budget
Tighter budget involves sacrificing some wedding elements
Outdoor locations may require permits
Limited guest count that may exclude some friends & family
Often involves time-consuming DIY wedding planning
If your ideal wedding day prioritizes connection, flexibility, and a personal touch, the pros of a micro wedding in Orlando often outweigh the cons.
Orlando-specific factors: With Orlando’s average wedding cost trending lower than the national average, it’s an ideal city to host a micro wedding. A wide range of wedding venues—many of which offer micro wedding-exclusive packages—makes finding an affordable wedding venue in Orlando easier than in many other cities. However, high temps and inclement weather are primary concerns when it comes to planning a micro wedding in Orlando.
3. How much does a micro wedding in Orlando cost in 2026?
While the national average cost of a wedding in 2025 reached $36,000, with a traditional 100-guest wedding in Orlando costing an average of $32,000, a micro wedding (based on 50 guests) in Orlando averages just over half that amount at $19,000 (source: Zola). Of course, this cost is greatly affected by total guest count, venue affordability, and even—dare we say it?—wedding photographer choice.
Typical micro wedding cost breakdown
These are simply averages of the most essential micro wedding costs specific to Orlando, FL. Actual costs may vary based on location and other factors.
Venue or location fee: avg. $2,700
Photography: avg. $1,400 for 4 hours of coverage (ideal for micro weddings)
Florals: avg. $2,200
Officiant: avg. $300
Hair & makeup (bride only): avg. $290
Catering: avg. $2,200
Sources: theknot.com, zola.com, and our own research.
Sample weekday micro wedding budget for 30 guests
How to save money on your micro wedding venue
Micro wedding venue costs range from $250 (to rent space in a public outdoor park) to $3,000 (as the typical cost of a traditional wedding venue offering micro wedding packages). While the ways to save money on your wedding venue can be—and is—a whole guide in and of itself, here are a few quick tips to get started:
Choose a weekday wedding
Find a micro wedding-friendly venue under $2,000
Host your wedding reception offsite in a restaurant (if guest count allows)
Ask for a pay-in-cash or pay-up-front discount
How to save money on your micro wedding photography
With the average cost of wedding photography in Orlando ranging from $2,000–4,000 (and often above)—roughly 16% of that $19,000 average 50-guest wedding cost—photography is typically one of the largest ticket items in a couple’s wedding budget.
But what if you could save 30-50% on the average wedding photography cost?
Hiring a micro wedding photographer who specializes in the unique needs and budgets of small weddings can save you thousands on your wedding day. While most traditional wedding photographers in Orlando offer packages starting at 6hrs or greater, micro weddings can usually save significantly by choosing a smaller amount of coverage at a more affordable rate. At Author Made, we offer micro wedding-exclusive packages at affordable rates, starting at just $1,000 for a 2hr package. Our micro wedding photography & videography packages are available to view here.
4. Best affordable Orlando micro wedding venues
You could say our passion is scoping out the most affordable, best wedding venues in Orlando. (Our popular blog post on the topic, created with hours of direct research and lots of love, has over 16k views at the time of this writing!). In summary, here are our picks for the 10 best affordable micro wedding venues in Orlando, FL under $2,000 (read the full blog for a synopsis and cost analysis of each, updated annually).
These venues were selected after careful manual research based on popularity, affordability, flexibility for micro weddings, and our own experience photographing micro weddings at many of these locations.
Leu Gardens – Orlando, FL
Approx. Starting Price: Micro ceremony $600; ceremony + reception ~$2,000
Notes: Beautiful botanical gardens; indoor weather backup available.
Museum of Arts & Sciences – Daytona Beach, FL
Approx. Starting Price: ~$950 (weekday rental)
Notes: Indoor art gallery space; affordable museum wedding.
The Venue at Gentry Pines – St. Cloud, FL
Approx. Starting Price: ~$1,500
Notes: Rustic charm; lakeside ceremony only (reception offsite).
Capen House – Winter Park, FL
Approx. Starting Price: ~$1,250–$1,750
Notes: Historic home; pricing varies by season/day.
Winter Park Farmer’s Market – Winter Park, FL
Approx. Starting Price: ~$315/hr (2 hr min)
Notes: Great weekday rates; bricks/industrial vibe.
Maitland Art & History Museums – Maitland, FL
Approx. Starting Price: Ceremony + reception ~ $1,350 (wkdy)
Notes: Several outdoor spaces; dogs allowed.
Dr. Phillips House – Orlando, FL
Approx. Starting Price: ~$1,500 (4-hr rental)
Notes: Historic Victorian house with indoor/outdoor options.
Tavares Pavilion on the Lake – Tavares, FL
Approx. Starting Price: ~$1,750 (full building block)
Notes: Lakeside venue; different hourly/block options.
Lake Mary Events Center – Lake Mary, FL
Approx. Starting Price: ~$1,000 (full building wkday)
Notes: Indoor/outdoor options & ballroom spaces.
The Garden Villa – Winter Park, FL
Approx. Starting Price: ~$1,250 (5-hr Intimate Package)
Notes: Scenic outdoor garden + indoor banquet hall.
Tavares Pavilion on the Lake in Tavares, FL
Maitland Art & History Museums in Maitland, FL
The Garden Villa in Winter Park, FL
Alternative locations for Orlando micro weddings
A beautiful part of planning a micro wedding is the flexibility to choose a non-traditional wedding location. Some options to consider include:
Public parks
Airbnbs (check listing policy)
Small event spaces
Libraries
Museums
Boutique hotels
The possibilities truly are endless. With a bit of research and creativity, you can find the perfect micro wedding location in Orlando for your special day.
5. Weather planning for your Florida micro wedding
Central Florida weather is one of the biggest factors when planning an Orlando micro wedding. Our state has 4 seasons: hot, hotter, unbearably hot, and nice. In all seriousness, though, you really can get married year-round in Orlando, though we suggest factoring in heat, humidity, and inclement weather for the comfort and safety of your guests, especially if you’re a local who may be more adapted to heat than out-of-towners.
Here’s a 12-month mini guide to each month of getting married in Orlando:
January: coolest month, dry
February: mild, usually dry
March: warm, low rain
April: warm, rain on and off
May: hotter, frequent storms begin—peak wedding season ends
June: hot, afternoon rain
July: very hot, humid, daily storms
August: peak heat, daily storms
September: hot, start of hurricane season
October: peak wedding season begins—warm, hurricane season tapers by end
November: popular month, excellent weather
December: cool days prevail
6. How to build your micro wedding day-of timeline
Most couples planning their own micro wedding decide to just “wing it” on their wedding day. After all, as long as you’ve said “I do” and signed the marriage license, that’s all you need, right?
We’d argue that having a well thought-out timeline for your micro wedding will not only decrease wedding day stress, but also maximize your time spent with the loved ones who’ve traveled near and far to celebrate with you. We’ve seen couples miss out on some amazing moments of their big day (such as entirely bypassing bridal portraits due to losing track of time) because they didn’t have a concrete plan.
We’ve previously shared an in-depth, customizable 4hr micro wedding template, but if you’re looking for a quick 101 on how to build your own micro wedding day-of timeline, here’s what we suggest first:
Plan for what’s most important to you: Before drafting your timeline, list the most essential parts of your wedding day—first look, ceremony, private vows, bridal portraits, family photos, or relaxed time with guests.
Allow more time than you think you need: You’ll definitely need to touch up your mascara after that first look; or your guests will take a little longer leaving the ceremony site. Add buffers of time between events.
Consider seasonal lighting: Bridal photos usually take place after reception during the summer months; during the winter, you’ll sneak away between ceremony and reception for those golden hour moments.
4hr micro wedding timeline options (photographer-approved!)
From a wedding photography perspective, a well-crafted, thoughtfully-executed timeline directly impacts the quality and variety of images you’ll receive. Considering time of day and lighting conditions is key to achieving those dreamy wedding photos (and making sure you actually have the time in your day to capture those moments).
Option 1: Brunch Micro Wedding Timeline
Option 2: First Look Micro Wedding Timeline
Option 3: Summer Golden Hour Timeline
Adjust based on seasonal lighting.
7. Legal requirements for Orlando micro weddings (2026 update)
Saying “I do” isn’t enough to consider yourselves legally married! From county applications to theme park photography permissions, you’ll need to be aware of certain legal requirements when planning your micro wedding in Orlando in 2026.
We’ve compiled an easy checklist, updated for 2026, that walks you through the primary legal requirements to getting married in Orlando. Of course, be sure to consult your venue, photographer, and other wedding professionals for additional considerations that may be needed.
Marriage license (Florida, Orange County)
Apply for marriage license at Orange County Clerk of Courts (online or in person)
Wait at least 3 days before your wedding if you have not completed a premarital course (no wait if you provide proof).
Non-residents: no waiting period after receiving the license, but must get married within 60 days of the license issue and return the license within 10 days of the ceremony.
Officiant regulations
Be sure your officiant meets state requirements. In Florida, a marriage may be legally officiated by an ordained clergy member, a judge (active or retired), a clerk of the circuit court or deputy clerk, a Florida notary public, or a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) performing a ceremony according to their rites.
Location & permit requirements
Some outdoor parks require reservations or permits to wed. Check with your location first, even if you’re planning a simple elopement ceremony.
Verify your location’s photography restrictions (your wedding photographer should also help with this), if any. Some outdoor locations require photographers to carry hefty insurance, photography-specific permits, or restricted use of flash—all of which may impact your wedding day memories.
Can I take my wedding photos at Disney? Many couples assume they can have wedding or engagement photos taken at Walt Disney World without realizing that commercial photography (including photos taken in exchange for money) is prohibited on property. Some local photographers claim working agreements with Disney, but others are unaware of the rules and risk the party being asked to leave. Be sure to ask your photographer about any restrictions before booking.
Additional considerations
If planning a micro wedding at an Airbnb, be sure to check the listing’s policy for group gatherings and outside guests.
Be mindful of venue, rental, or location-specific noise ordinances. Some venues require events to wrap up by a certain time of night, or Airbnb homes may restrict parties after sunset.
Many wedding venues or outdoor locations require vendors to carry insurance. Be aware of these policies and discuss them with your vendors ahead of time.
8. A micro wedding photographer’s tips to make your day unforgettable
As a micro wedding photographer in Orlando, our team has captured dozens of small yet significant wedding days. We’re obsessed with the relaxed feel, focus on the couple, and intimate moments that are made possible by micro weddings.
Yet planning your own micro wedding comes with challenges that large-scale celebrations often don’t experience.
From the perspective of an Orlando wedding photographer who’s seen their fair share of micro weddings, here are our personal, experienced tips to make your micro wedding day stress-free and unforgettable:
Don’t skip out on hiring a wedding planner or day-of coordinator. We often see micro wedding couples choose to DIY their day-of coordination, but without a clear figure keeping their special day on track, the responsibility often lands on other wedding vendors who are not prepared to carry out this role. This not only puts additional pressure on your vendors but, most importantly, sacrifices the experience for your guests as the day’s events feel rushed and poorly managed.
Build small moments of intimacy into your day-of timeline. Large weddings often involve rushing from event to event, leaving couples little time to just enjoy being together on their special day. Allow a few moments after your wedding ceremony or plan on a private first dance without guests nearby so the two of you can relax and breathe.
Get creative with your budget. We’ve seen beautiful Orlando micro weddings with family-made decor and Costco floral bouquets. Making savvy decisions in your wedding budget allows you to allocate those extra dollars towards higher-ticket items that will make a greater impact on your wedding day, such as your venue or your photography.
Ensure dinner service runs smoothly. Nothing will derail a micro wedding faster than hungry guests. This doesn’t necessarily mean hiring extravagant catering, though—whether you’re offering a buffet line or a food truck, ensure your setup is equipped and prepared to serve your full guest list quickly and efficiently.
9. Orlando micro wedding planning FAQs
These are some of the most common questions couples planning a micro wedding in Orlando may be asking:
-
Small weddings have the advantage of a shorter planning period than traditional weddings. Ideally, plan 6–9 months ahead for your wedding venue and vendor availability, or even 9–12 months during peak season (October through May). Most of our micro wedding couples are planning their wedding within 12 months.
-
Yes! We planned our own wedding in just under 5 months! We also have quite a few couples successfully plan their Orlando micro wedding within 3–6 months, especially if they are flexible on dates, guest count, and venue type. Weekday micro weddings and outdoor locations often have better availability on shorter timelines.
-
Most couples find 10–50 guests to be the sweet spot. This size allows for meaningful interaction with guests while keeping costs manageable and venue options flexible.
-
Yes! Weekday micro weddings are very common in Orlando and often cost less, offer more venue availability, and feel more relaxed. Mondays through Thursdays are especially popular for intimate weddings and destination couples.
-
Often, yes. Public parks, gardens, and some tourist locations require permits for ceremonies and professional photography. Requirements vary by city and property, so it’s important to confirm rules early in the planning process.
-
Orlando is well-suited for outdoor micro weddings, particularly from November through April, with summer and early fall months offering more heat and storms that may derail your special day. If you do plan to tie the knot in the warmer season, make sure to have backup options for inclement weather and consider an indoor reception for the comfort of your guests.
10. Finding the right Orlando micro wedding photographer
Micro weddings require a different approach than traditional weddings, and a successful day requires a team of professionals who understand the unique challenges and needs of an intimate wedding.
With fewer guests and less structure, photography often plays a bigger role in preserving your micro wedding experience itself—but most wedding photographers offer packages that are out of scope and budget for micro weddings.
When looking for an Orlando micro wedding photographer, it’s important to find someone who understands:
Shorter, flexible package offerings (4–6 hours is perfect for a micro wedding!)
Non-traditional venues like gardens, private homes, and parks
Permit and photography restrictions at public or tourist locations
How to document connection and atmosphere, not just posed moments
At Author Made, we believe that your micro wedding should be captured beautifully and affordably. That’s why our Orlando micro wedding photography & videography packages—starting at just 2hrs—are specifically designed for the needs and budgets of small celebrations without sacrificing artisanship or quality.
Whether you’re just starting to plan or finalizing wedding day details, choosing a photographer who specializes in micro weddings can make the entire process feel more intentional and less overwhelming.
Click the link below to book a consultation call and see if we’re the micro wedding photography team for you!
