In recent times, the trend of micro weddings – or intimate weddings – has received a massive rise. Couples are stepping away from large and traditional receptions and choosing smaller and more impactful celebrations. According to industry data , the average wedding guest list has shrunk from 131 in 2019 to about 116 in 2024 – it’s clear how much more personal and intentional the data has become.
A small wedding destination is not just a beautiful venue, but a space suited for a small number of guests (usually between 20 and 75), a sense of privacy and exclusivity, and the ability for full customization to reflect the unique vision of the couple.
Features Include
- Accessibility to guests (reasonable travel, causes for lodging)
- Allowance of friendliness (especially in the case of outdoor or public space weddings)
- Venues designed for fewer people (boutique hotels, villas, forest clearing, vineyards)
- Local vendors who are experienced with intimate celebrations
With that in mind, here are some of the best small wedding destinations around the world, all of which are magical, charming, and intimate.
Top Intimate Small Wedding Destinations in 2026
Santorini, Greece
Santorini, described as the ultimate romantic destination, is heaven on earth for those couples looking for a romantic wedding. The dramatic caldera cliffs, white washed buildings, and sweeping views over the Aegean Sea make it one of the most iconic wedding settings in the world.
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany – the undulating hills, the olive groves, the vineyards – the perfect rustic chic location to make a small wedding. Couples can have food exchange at estates in the country or boutique wines and then have candlelit dinners in strings of lights. With its age-old beauty, its rich culture, and world-famous cuisine, Tuscany captures the true essence of Italian romanticism.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali is a paradise for couples in search of tropical bliss, as it offers some stunning beauty and affordability as well. In addition to its great views, its lush landscapes, pristine beaches, and cliff-side villas combine to create a sense of luxury and spiritual serenity. Boutique resorts will often organize micro weddings with ocean views and traditional Balinese-style decor with world-class accommodation.
Maldives (Private Resorts/ Private Island)
For ultra-intimate weddings, we don’t think a better place to have it than the Maldives. Couples can exchange their vows as a private beach picnic, a decked-over, or inside a private island secluded villa. Ceremonies are often accompanied by symbolic blessings and private, starlit dinners-pure, barefoot luxury in one of the most romantic destinations in the world.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is the place for green-minded couples who like adventure. Its tropical rainforests, waterfalls, and beaches offer wonderful natural settings for intimate ceremonies. Many resorts have wedding packages for less than 50 guests, which gives the lush scenery with a sense of adventure and romance to make each celebration unforgettable.
Banff, Canada
The Canadian Rockies make a beautiful backdrop to small weddings. Banff’s turquoise lakes, forest clearings, and mountain lodges make for postcard-perfect settings for intimate ceremonies. It’s more particularly perfect for lovers of nature who enjoy having crystal mountain air and great alpine splendor rather than the traditional banquet room.
Savannah, Georgia, USA
With its moss-covered oaks, old-fashioned squares, and cobbled-stone streets, the old-world flavor of Savannah is natural for small, romantic weddings. Public spaces with permits (public squares, etc.) and boutique inns are beautiful spaces for a ceremony, and the city is walkable and Southern-hipped, and it’s easy for guests to enjoy their time.
Big Sur, California, USA
Big Sur is one of the most dramatic small wedding destinations on earth and is known for its rugged cliffs, panoramic ocean vista, and towering redwoods. Many couples have rented up private estates or forest clearings and created the magic combination of rustic simplicity with sophisticated elegance well up off the Pacific coastline.
Yosemite National Park, USA
For couples who are nature lovers, Yosemite offers waterfalls, meadows, and mountain peaks that provide a breathtaking backdrop. Micro weddings are peaceful and personal here, and their affordability permits it. Local photographers are very good at making pictures perfect in every single moment to tell the majestic natural beauty.
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
There is a storybook venue with intimate weddings in the center of historic homes with lovely courtyards and imposing architecture. Many venues have property buyouts for as many as 20 to 60 guests, giving an atmosphere of exclusivity with the added grace of Southern people and time-honored elegance.
Gretna Green, Scotland
Gretna Green is famous the world over for having ‘runaway wedding’ love days. This quaint Scottish village serves as an intimate, traditional wedding venue, where the couple can exchange their vows in old-fashioned blacksmith shops or inns of varying sizes, surrounded by rolling countryside and centuries of history.
Antigua, Caribbean
Antigua is well known for its soft sands, clear waters, and tranquil atmosphere. Many of its resorts specialize in Micro weddings, the ceremonies held in front of the beach, and the dinner after that in private. It’s the perfect blend of simple and luxury —an easygoing island lifestyle.
Curacao, Caribbean
Curacao’s glorious colonial buildings, shimmering blue waters, and bleached sand beaches make this an unknown Caribbean jewel to those wishing to wed in an intimate ceremony. Its relaxing atmosphere and upscale resorts, as well as vibrant culture, promise an unforgettable concoction of adventure and romance for couples and guests alike.
Small Doesn’t Mean Simple — It Means Intentional
A small wedding destination is not about doing less – it is about doing what matters most. With fewer guests, you get intimacy, flexibility, and beauty that large weddings can’t always have.
Whether you harbor dreams of crossing the vows in the backdrop of the sunset of Santorini, amidst the vineyards of Tuscany, or on a Maldives beach, you will prove that even small weddings are big on emotion and elegance. It’s not the size of the guest list – it’s the size of your memories.