I Just Got Engaged in Boston! Now What? (Your First 5 Steps to Planning a Micro-Wedding)

Congratulations! You’ve found your person, you have the ring, and you are ready to start planning your wedding in the New England area.

The flood of questions from friends and family—“When is the date?” “Where will it be?”—can feel overwhelming, but planning a Boston micro-wedding is actually a huge advantage. By keeping your guest list to 50 to 100 guests , you gain immediate clarity and control over the process.

As a specialized Boston micro-wedding planner, I guide couples through this initial phase.

Here are the five most critical steps you must take right now to lay the foundation for your intimate, unforgettable celebration in the Boston, MA area.

Step 1: The "Must-Have" Partner Priority Session

Before you talk about budgets or dates, you and your partner need to align on the Vision and Vibe. This is your wedding mission statement.

Action Items:

1. Separate Lists: Each of you should write down your top 3 non-negotiable "Wants" and your top 3 "Do Not Wants."

2. The Vibe Words: Agree on 3–5 adjectives that describe the feeling of your day (e.g., Intimate, Elegant, High-End, Casual, Historic, Coastal).

3. The Micro-Advantage: Confirm what the small guest count allows you to splurge on. Is it food (a top restaurant experience)? Is it ambiance (a gorgeous boutique hotel buyout)? Or is it photography?

Planner Insight: Your decision to have a micro-wedding is the ultimate priority-setter. It removes the stress of accommodating a crowd and focuses the planning on quality over quantity—a critical decision when navigating high Boston vendor costs.

Step 2: Get a Reality Check with the Boston Budget

The average cost of a large wedding in Massachusetts can be staggering. You can avoid immediate budget shock by setting realistic expectations for the Boston market.

Action Items:

1. Determine the Cap: Agree on the absolute maximum amount you are willing to spend, no matter what.

2. Estimate the Anchor Costs: In the Boston area, your Venue and Catering/F&B minimums will anchor your budget. Even for 50 guests, allocate 40–50% of your total budget to these two categories.

3. Research the "Must-Haves": Look up pricing for your #1 priority from Step 1 (e.g., if it's the photographer, get an estimate now). This grounds your planning in reality.

Planner Insight: Because Boston venues book quickly and often have high F&B minimums, having a number is more important than knowing all the line items right now. This is a critical step before you start touring and falling in love with spaces you can't afford.

Step 3: Draft Your Intention-Based Guest List

Forget obligation. Your micro-wedding guest list should be built with intention, not tradition. This list is the filter for every subsequent decision.

Action Items:

1. Set the Firm Cap: Agree on your absolute max guest count (e.g., 40, 50, or 60). This number is final.

2. The Inner Circle: List immediate family and essential witnesses. This is the non-negotiable core.

3. The "Impact" Rule: Work outward, inviting only those who have had a meaningful impact on your life together. If you’re unsure, they are a No.

4. Create Your Spreadsheet: Start a simple shared Google Sheet with columns for Name, Email, and Mailing Address.

Planner Insight: Venue capacity is often based on the fire code, not comfort. The goal is to find a space that comfortably fits your small group, not just one that can squeeze them in.

Step 4: Align Your Date with the Boston Calendar

Selecting a date in the Boston, MA area requires special attention, as major events can make venues expensive or travel logistics impossible.

Action Items:

1. Determine the Season: Decide on the month or season (Fall in Boston is gorgeous but most expensive; Winter can offer better rates).

2. Check the Blackout Dates: Research major Boston events that can spike hotel rates and traffic:

   • College Graduations (Mid-May)

   • The Boston Marathon (April)

   • Head of the Charles Regatta (October)

   • Patriot's Day (April)

3. Be Flexible: If you are flexible on your date (mid-week or Sunday), note that this can drastically open up availability at high-end venues like those historic downtown spaces.

Step 5: Hire Your Boston Micro-Wedding Planner

The biggest mistake couples make when planning a small wedding is thinking they don't need a planner. In Boston, you need a specialist.

Action Items:

1. Recognize the Specialist Need: A venue coordinator handles the space; I handle your wedding day. I manage the flow, the vendors, the timeline, and the inevitable last-minute logistics that can turn a beautiful day into a stressful one.

2. Delegate the Research: Once you have Steps 1-4 complete, the first vendor you should book is the planner. I take your Vision and Budget and use my local expertise to find the perfect venue and vendor team for your 50 guests or less.

The sooner you hire your micro-wedding planner, the more time you get back to enjoy your engagement.

Ready to move from engaged to expertly planned? Contact me today, and let's turn your 5 steps into a seamless, stress-free Boston micro-wedding!