Micro-Wedding & Elopement Planning

Some couples dream of a packed ballroom with 200 guests. Others? Not so much. If you’re looking for something small, intentional, and real — like just you two and the skyline — a micro-wedding or elopement might be exactly what you need.

At MJ Wedding Planner NYC, we help couples plan personal, low-stress weddings that still feel beautiful, meaningful, and complete. Whether you’re imagining a cozy rooftop dinner with a few close friends or a simple “just us” ceremony in Central Park, our Micro-Wedding & Elopement Planning in NYC service is made for you.

What Is a Micro-Wedding or Elopement?

A micro-wedding usually has fewer than 30 guests. It includes all the elements of a traditional wedding — ceremony, meal, florals, photos — just on a smaller scale.

An elopement is even simpler. Sometimes it’s just the couple, an officiant, and a photographer. Sometimes it’s a surprise for the guests. Sometimes it’s just a walk to City Hall in matching sneakers and a bottle of champagne after.

Either way, it’s about cutting the fluff and focusing on what matters most: you two getting married.

Why Couples Choose Small Weddings

Small weddings are growing fast in NYC — and for good reason:

Less stress – Fewer moving parts, fewer opinions, fewer seating charts
Lower cost – Spend where it counts (a photographer, great food, that dream dress)
More personal – You actually get to talk to everyone there
More options – Cool venues like brownstones, cafes, private gardens, even boats
More flexibility – Weekday weddings, pop-up locations, even surprise ceremonies

We’ve helped couples tie the knot on a Brooklyn rooftop, in a Chinatown speakeasy, under the arches in Grand Army Plaza, and in a quiet spot in Central Park where a sax player happened to be playing “At Last.” No big production — just real moments.

What’s Included in Our Planning Service

Here’s what you get when we help you plan your NYC micro-wedding or elopement:

🗓️ Full Planning Support

From idea to “I do,” we walk you through every step. Don’t know where to start? We’ll figure it out together.

📍 Location Scouting

We know secret spots, hidden gems, and affordable venues for small groups. Whether it’s City Hall, a quiet park, or a downtown loft, we’ll help you find the right place.

🌸 Vendor Coordination

Even a small wedding needs great vendors. We’ll help you find:

Officiants (religious, secular, bilingual, etc.)
Photographers and videographers
Florists and stylists
Makeup and hair artists
Private chefs or boutique caterers
Musicians, DJs, or playlists

We’ll handle bookings, timelines, and communication, so you don’t have to juggle a dozen email chains.

🎒 Day-of Logistics

We’ll be there in person (or one of our trusted team) to make sure everything runs smooth. You shouldn’t have to worry about where the flowers are or if the speaker’s charged. We’ll handle it.

✈️ Add-On: Destination Elopements

Want to elope outside the city? We also offer small wedding planning for upstate, out-of-state, and international elopements. We’ve done forest weddings, cliffside ceremonies, and Airbnb backyard setups. Ask us for ideas.

NYC is Perfect for Small Weddings

This city is made for small weddings — it’s full of quirky venues, secret spaces, and amazing views. Just a few ideas we’ve helped plan:

A 12-person dinner wedding at a private chef’s loft in Williamsburg
A Central Park elopement followed by brunch at Sarabeth’s
A surprise ceremony on a ferry ride to Staten Island (they told guests it was just a birthday cruise)
A candlelit backyard wedding in Bed-Stuy with takeout tacos and a jazz trio

Small doesn’t mean “less than.” It means freedom to make it yours.

For Couples Who Want to Keep it Real

This service is for you if:

You’re planning on 2 to 30 guests
You want something personal and simple
You don’t want to get buried in Pinterest boards and drama
You value meaning over production

You don’t need a giant venue to have a wedding that feels unforgettable. Some of the most emotional ceremonies we’ve seen were with no chairs, no aisle, and no bouquet toss — just two people in love, in the middle of this wild and beautiful city.

Real Story: A Secret Elopement in Prospect Park

One couple came to us wanting to skip the big wedding but still make it special. We helped them plan a secret weekday ceremony in Prospect Park. Just them, an officiant, a violinist, and a photographer. They got married under a big tree while runners jogged by and didn’t even notice.

Afterward, they walked to a small café where 10 friends were waiting — thinking it was just a birthday lunch. They surprised everyone with the news, had champagne and cake, and danced to a playlist on someone’s phone.

Total guests: 12
Total stress: 0
Total joy: 100%

FAQs About Micro-Wedding & Elopement Planning in NYC

Do we still need a wedding planner for something this small?
Absolutely. Even the tiniest weddings have logistics — locations, permits, weather, timing, vendors, etc. We take all that off your plate so you can focus on each other.

What’s the average cost of a micro-wedding in NYC?
Most couples spend $5,000–$15,000 depending on food, photography, and location. You can go higher or lower depending on what matters most to you.

Can we plan something last-minute?
Yes! We’ve pulled off full elopements in under 10 days. If your timeline’s tight, we’ll still make it work.

Can you help us plan a legal ceremony and then a party later?
Yes! A lot of couples do a small legal wedding now and a big party later. We can help with both.

Do you help with LGBTQ+ weddings and non-traditional ceremonies?
Of course. We love working with couples of all backgrounds and styles. Whatever your relationship looks like, we’ll help you celebrate it.

Your Day, Your Way — Without the Stress

If you’re dreaming of a wedding somewhere beyond NYC, you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. MJ Wedding Planner NYC helps local couples pull off amazing destination weddings — with all the support, experience, and calm energy you need.

📞 Call us at (929) 658-8218
📍 Come visit us: 70 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036

MJ Wedding Planner NYC – Trusted by NYC couples since 2002 for destination weddings in every time zone.
From Manhattan to the Mediterranean, we’ve got you covered.

Client Reviews

“Hiring MJ Wedding Planner NYC was hands-down the best decision we made. We were planning a wedding in Brooklyn while juggling work and family, and they just made everything feel manageable. From vendor recommendations to timeline stuff, they were super responsive and calm — even when we weren’t. The day itself went off without a hitch. It honestly felt like magic. I didn’t worry about a single thing.”

“We had no idea how to plan a wedding in Manhattan, especially since we both work full-time. MJ Wedding Planner NYC came in, asked all the right questions, and built a plan around exactly what we wanted. They found our venue, lined up every vendor, and kept us on track the whole time. Our wedding was on a rooftop in Midtown with a string quartet and candlelight, and it was perfect. We’re still getting compliments.”

“I tend to be pretty detail-obsessed, so trusting someone else with our wedding was a big deal. But MJ Wedding Planner NYC was so organized and thoughtful, I felt comfortable from the first meeting. They stayed two steps ahead of everything — handled vendor drama, tweaked the schedule when our photographer was late, and somehow kept us both calm through it all. Our ceremony in Central Park and reception in SoHo couldn’t have gone smoother. Worth every penny.”

“We planned our wedding from out of state, which could’ve been a nightmare — but MJ Wedding Planner NYC made it feel totally doable. They helped us find the perfect venue in Dumbo, handled all the vendor coordination, and even created a full weekend schedule for our guests. Everything ran smooth and on time, and the vibe was exactly what we wanted. Chill, beautiful, and very us. Couldn’t have pulled it off without them.”

“We had a multicultural wedding with a lot of moving parts — two ceremonies, two outfits, two menus — and MJ Wedding Planner NYC handled it like pros. They made sure every detail was respected and every moment felt seamless. Our parents were impressed (which says a lot), and we actually got to enjoy the day instead of managing it. Total lifesavers.”

Why MJ Wedding Planner NYC?

Stress-free planning

From venues to vendors, we handle every detail with ease.

Expert advice

Guidance from seasoned planners who know the NYC wedding scene.

Customization

Unique themes and designs tailored to your love story.

Reliability

Trusted support so your big day runs flawlessly.