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How to Plan a Minimalist Wedding
July 9, 2024

Planning a minimalist wedding requires a thoughtful approach to creating a ceremony that focuses on simplicity and elegance. Having a minimalist wedding also helps minimize its impact on the environment. A great way to reduce waste and maximize the positive impact of your wedding day on the community is to create a VOW for Girls charitable wedding registry.

From setting your minimalist wedding vision to choosing minimalist attire and decor, this article will provide practical tips and ideas to plan a wedding that reflects your values and priorities in a beautifully simple way.

Setting Your Minimalist Wedding Vision

Prior to planning anything, it is best to have a vision of what minimalism means to you regarding your wedding day. When it comes to a minimalist wedding, less is more. Think clean lines, simple aesthetics, and a focus on what truly matters to you as a couple. Minimalism isn't just a design trend; it's a lifestyle choice that can be beautifully applied to your big day. 

Before diving deep into wedding planning, take some time to identify what matters most to you both. Whether spending quality time with loved ones, prioritizing sustainability, or showcasing your love story, knowing your fundamental values will guide your decisions and keep your wedding focused and meaningful.

Minimalist Wedding Ideas

After you have clarity on how you would like your special day to look, it is time to start planning. We’ve put together some of the best ideas to make things easier for you when planning a wonderful minimalist wedding. 

1. Creating a Charitable Wedding Registry

Creating a charitable wedding registry can be an excellent way to align your minimalist wedding values with a meaningful cause. By adding VOW for Girls to your registry, you are not only simplifying your wedding planning process but also positively impacting the lives of others by contributing to a cause that values equality and empowerment for young girls worldwide.

2. Creating a Selective Guest List

Keep your guest list intimate by inviting only those truly important to you. Quality over quantity is what you should strive for here. A smaller guest list creates a more personal atmosphere and helps you stay within budget.

3. Leaving Out Any Tradition That Doesn’t Resonate With You

Take a close look at the conventional elements of a wedding and change anything that doesn’t feel good for you. Review your checklist, eliminating anything that doesn't bring you joy or feels insincere. Don't feel pressured to include traditions that don't resonate with you. 

For example, if you don't have a close relationship with your father, you can opt out of the father-daughter dance. If you're not a cake fan, consider a doughnut tower instead. And if you find certain rituals outdated or oppressive, such as the bouquet or garter toss, feel free to skip them. Remember, this is your special day, so make sure it reflects your unique personality and preferences.

4. Sending Minimalist and Eco-Friendly Invitations 

Opt for digital invitations or eco-friendly paper options to reduce waste and keep things simple. Remember, the invitation sets the tone for your wedding, so make sure it reflects the minimalist vibe you're going for while being kind to the planet.

5. Choosing Minimalist Wedding Attire 

For the bride and groom, minimalist wedding attire focuses on clean cuts, simple silhouettes, and quality fabrics. Choose attires that reflect your style without the need for excess decorations. 

For the bride, when looking for a minimalist wedding dress, it is important to consider your body type and style. For example, a bride with a petite frame should look for a sheath dress that can create a sleek and elongated silhouette. A-line dresses are universally flattering and elegant for any wedding style.

For the groom, minimalist style is about monochrome and primary colors, so you should focus on black, white, creamy, tan, beige, or gray.

6. Opting for Simple and Elegant Decor Elements

Less is more when it comes to minimalist wedding decor. Embrace neutral color palettes, sleek lines, and understated elegance. Choose key decor elements that speak to your style and let them shine without overcrowding your space.

For the tabletop, a soft gray color scheme, a sleek pairing of plates and silverware, and subtle touches against delicate, airy linens create a genuinely enchanting minimalist atmosphere.

7. Opting for Intimate and Minimalist Venues

Look for venues that offer an intimate setting with natural beauty. Whether it's a cozy garden, a chic loft, or a rustic barn, choose a space that aligns with your minimalist vision and creates a warm and inviting atmosphere for your guests.

Consider a venue that offers both accommodations and ceremony/reception spaces in one location, or opt for a venue that provides dual ceremony and reception services. 

Venues that offer indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing you to host your entire wedding day in one place, are also a great choice. Indoor and outdoor spaces with different architectural details can make one venue feel like multiple.

8. Utilizing Natural Elements in Venue Selection

Let nature be your backdrop by selecting a venue incorporating natural elements like wood, stone, or greenery. Minimalist venues with organic touches enhance your wedding aesthetic and require minimal additional decor, keeping things simple and elegant.

9. Choosing a Minimal Color Scheme

Use a lovely neutral color palette to achieve a modern minimalist theme throughout your wedding day. Ensure to include these shades in every aspect, such as accessories, flowers, furniture, and decorations. Whether you prefer a subtle, light color scheme or want to add a splash of your favorite color, keeping all elements harmonious with your chosen palette is essential.

10. Simplifying Your Wedding Stationery

Modern minimalist wedding stationery focuses on simple fonts and neutral colors instead of elaborate designs and fancy writing. While black and white are often used for this style, you can choose warmer neutral tones or muted grays. Vellum, a semi-transparent paper, is a popular choice for minimalist wedding decor and can be used for a consistent look across all your stationery and signs.

11. Incorporating Minimalist Floral and Decor Trends

Minimalist floral and decor trends are about letting nature do the talking without drowning your venue in a sea of blooms. Opt for simple, elegant arrangements that complement rather than overwhelm your space. Think single stems in bud vases, lush greenery garlands, or even pampas grass for that boho minimalist vibe. 

Your decor should whisper, not scream for attention. Opting for a minimalist approach can make a statement in a world filled with extravagant weddings. By prioritizing what truly matters to you as a couple and embracing simplicity in every detail, you can create a wedding that is not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful.

12. Setting a Realistic Minimalist Wedding Budget

Setting a practical budget for your wedding doesn't have to be as stressful as it may seem initially. Look at your finances, prioritize what's important to you, and remember it's your special day, and the most significant focus should be celebrating your loving union. Keep it simple and stay true to yourself.

13. Incorporating Sustainable Practices in Wedding Planning

For a more sustainable minimalist wedding, you should choose caterers who use local and organic food to support farmers and reduce pollution. You should also encourage guests to carpool or provide transportation to limit emissions. 

When choosing an engagement ring, consider ethical options like moissanite rings. These lab-grown gemstones are environmentally friendly and ethically sourced, offering the same beauty as traditional diamonds without negatively impacting the environment. 

14. Designing a Minimalist Ceremony Program

Less is more, especially when it comes to your ceremony program. Ditch the 20-page booklet that nobody will read anyway. A minimalist ceremony program is all about keeping it sweet and simple. Think elegant fonts, a brief rundown of who's who, and maybe a beautiful quote that resonates with you both. Keep it to the point, and your guests will also thank you.

15. Crafting a Simple and Elegant Reception Experience

A minimalist reception is like a fine wine - simple yet refined. Opt for clean lines, neutral decor, and a touch of greenery to add that pop of freshness. Keep the focus on good food, great company, and good music. It is all about lovingly experiencing your special day with your closest ones and letting go of the idea of having a flashy wedding day. 

In conclusion, planning a minimalist wedding is about creating a simple and elegant ceremony and positively impacting the environment and community. By incorporating thoughtful details and embracing the beauty of simplicity, you can create a wedding that truly reflects your values and priorities. Remember, less is more when planning a minimalist wedding that will leave a lasting impression of grace and mindfulness.

About VOW for Girls

From wedding registry donations to partner product purchases, everything donated to VOW (that’s 100% of donations!) goes directly to community-driven efforts to help girls around the world. Our grantees, which are mainly women-led local organizations, use the funding we provide to directly support girls.Twelve million girls a year, some as young as 8, become child brides. VOW is a global movement of the wedding industry community, partners and couples who are dedicated to a world where no child is ever a bride and where every girl has the chance to live the life she loves.If you’re in the wedding industry and you’re interested in becoming involved, please find more wedding inspiration and advice in our blog, consider becoming a VOW Pro partner and learning more about VOW’s mission to end child marriage. If you’re an engaged couple and want to learn more about supporting VOW, please visit our couples page. We can’t wait to see what good we can do together!