Fiddling Around/Partner Spotlights/Micro-Weddings: A Big Idea for Your Small Day - An Interview with Jennie Swenson of MicroWed Collective

Wednesday, October 09, 2024

Micro-Weddings: A Big Idea for Your Small Day - An Interview with Jennie Swenson of MicroWed Collective

In Fort Collins, Colorado, Jennie Swenson, founder of MicroWed Collective, offers a specialized resource for planning intimate weddings with fewer than 50 guests. Born from her own experience and frustration with the lack of support for small-scale weddings, MicroWed Collective provides planning tools, inspiration, and a vetted vendor directory tailored for micro weddings. The platform emphasizes affordability, reduced stress, and personalized experiences, helping couples enjoy their special day with a focus on meaningful connections rather than grand scale. Jennie's initiative addresses the growing demand for smaller, more intimate celebrations, making it easier for couples to navigate the complexities of wedding planning while ensuring a memorable and stress-free event.

In the charming city of Fort Collins, Colorado, a revolutionary concept in wedding planning is taking shape. Jennie Swenson, the founder of MicroWed Collective, has carved a niche in the vast wedding industry by focusing on intimate, meaningful celebrations. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jennie and dive into the world of micro-weddings—a term that is gaining traction among couples seeking a more personal and less stressful wedding experience.

What is MicroWed Collective? Jennie begins with a succinct elevator pitch: "MicroWed Collective is an online resource tailored specifically for couples planning a wedding with fewer than 50 guests. We offer planning resources, tips, inspiration, and a vendor directory—all the essentials needed to orchestrate a micro-wedding."

The Inspiration Behind MicroWed Collective The genesis of MicroWed Collective is deeply personal. Jennie shares her journey of planning her own wedding during 2022 and 2023, which led to the realization that traditional, large-scale weddings were not only costly but also overwhelmingly complex. Opting for an intimate setting with just under 40 guests, she discovered the concept of a micro-wedding—though at the time, she didn't know it by that name.

Frustrated by the lack of resources for smaller weddings, Jennie identified a significant gap in the market. Her background in product management helped her see this not just as a personal challenge but as a business opportunity. "There's quite a lot of demand," she notes, "partly heightened by the recent constraints of COVID-19, which introduced many to the idea of smaller gatherings."

Benefits of a Micro-Wedding Jennie highlights two primary benefits of micro-weddings: financial savings and reduced stress. By trimming the guest list, couples can allocate their budget more generously—perhaps extending a one-day event into a week-long destination wedding, or adding luxurious touches like a personal chef or unique entertainment. Equally important is the reduction in logistical complexities, making the wedding planning process significantly more manageable and enjoyable.

How MicroWed Collective Supports Couples MicroWed Collective is designed to address the unique challenges of planning a small wedding. From helping couples trim their guest lists without drama to connecting them with the right vendors, the platform ensures that every element aligns with the intimate scale of their celebration.

Photo by Savannah Chandler Photography

Jennie points out that traditional wedding venues and packages often don’t cater to smaller groups. MicroWed Collective fills this void by offering a curated list of vendors who specialize in services for micro-weddings—from photographers who offer flexible hourly rates to caterers willing to work with smaller headcounts.

Local Colorado Vendors and Personalized Planning The platform doesn’t just list any vendors; it carefully vets them to ensure they are a good match for micro-weddings. This vetting process considers not only the packages offered but also the vendor's commitment to providing a personalized and humane service.

The Difference MicroWed Collective Could Have Made Reflecting on her own experiences, Jennie wishes she had access to a resource like MicroWed Collective. "It would have been reassuring to see others choosing similar paths and to have support during the more challenging aspects of wedding planning," she shares. This sentiment underpins the mission of MicroWed Collective—to empower couples to celebrate their union in a way that truly reflects their values and preferences, free from societal pressure to conform to traditional norms.

Connecting with MicroWed Collective For those interested in exploring the possibilities of a micro-wedding, Jennie invites them to visit the MicroWed Collective website. The platform also maintains a vibrant community on social media, including a Facebook group and an Instagram channel, where couples can find further inspiration and support.

Conclusion As our conversation wrapped up, it was clear that Jennie Swenson isn’t just facilitating smaller weddings; she’s fostering a movement towards more intentional, personalized celebrations. For many couples, MicroWed Collective could well be the key to turning their dream wedding into a delightful reality.

Website: https://www.microwedcollective.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/microwed_collective/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/microwedcollective/