Choosing a smaller, more intimate wedding doesn’t mean going small on style, emotion or the experience itself. If anything, micro-weddings are showing couples just how big a celebration can feel when every detail is intentional and every moment is shared with the people who truly matter.
To explore why this trend is still going strong, we spoke with someone who works at the heart of Toronto’s boutique-wedding scene. Ligia Santos, director of sales and marketing at Kimpton Saint George Hotel, offers insights on how couples are redefining intimate “I do’s.”
Are micro-weddings just a passing fad?
“We see micro-weddings as more than just a trend – they’re here to stay,” says Ligia Santos. “Couples today are prioritizing experiences and personalization over large guest counts.” For example, a boutique setting such as the one at Kimpton Saint George allows couples to focus on what feels meaningful to them, whether that’s an intimate dinner, a bold design concept or a highly curated guest experience.
How many guests should be invited to a micro-wedding?
“Most of the micro-weddings we’ve seen range from 25 to 50 guests,” says Santos. “That size works beautifully in a boutique-sized reception room like the Peregrine at the Saint George, where it can be transformed into something deeply personal – whether it’s a candlelit dinner, a chic cocktail-style reception or a completely reimagined space designed with their planner.”
How do you set a budget for a micro-wedding? Just because it’s micro doesn’t mean it’s “cheap.”
“Exactly. Micro-weddings aren’t about cutting back but about allocating the budget differently,” says Santos. Couples often choose to invest in unique décor or experiences, with a reception room serving as a blank canvas that can be transformed to reflect their vision and create memorable, interactive moments for their smaller guest list, she notes.
Is there an experience or two that you can share from any recent weddings or romantic events you may have planned at the Saint George?
“One couple described their day as ‘our cozy, chic and intimate wedding,” says Santos. “They shared how the bright, versatile Peregrine provided the perfect backdrop for their vision, and how the hotel’s artful, boutique-style interiors made for stunning wedding photos.” Another couple returned a year later to mark their first anniversary with an intimate, romantic dinner for just the two of them, she recalls. “They once again cherished the cozy, boutique ambience, enjoying candlelit tables, personalized touches and the same stunning interiors that had made their wedding day unforgettable. It was a beautiful way to relive their special day while creating new memories in the space where they first said ‘yes’ to a life together.”
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