In recent years, micro-weddings in Chicago have become more than just a trend — they’ve become a deeply intentional way to celebrate love. Couples are trading grand guest lists for intimate, meaningful celebrations focused on what truly matters: the people closest to them, the shared experience, and the beauty in small, personal moments.
At EverAfter Wedding Films, we’ve had the privilege of filming some of the most heartwarming micro-weddings across Chicago. And let’s be honest — there’s something incredibly powerful about a smaller wedding when it’s captured the right way.
This guide will help you understand:
- Why micro-weddings are special
- How wedding videography elevates these small moments
- The best Chicago venues for intimate weddings
- What to expect when booking a micro-wedding videographer
💍 What is a Micro-Wedding?
A micro-wedding is a wedding typically with 30 guests or fewer. It combines the intimacy of an elopement with the structure of a traditional wedding, often featuring:
- A full ceremony
- A small dinner or cocktail-style reception
- Personalized details and meaningful locations
In Chicago, micro-weddings have gained popularity not only for their flexibility and affordability but because they allow couples to fully immerse themselves in every moment.
🎥 Why Videography Matters Even More in a Micro-Wedding
When your wedding is small, every glance, vow, tear, and laugh is felt more deeply.
Your videographer’s job isn’t just to record the event — it’s to beautifully preserve the unscripted, quiet moments that might otherwise pass by.
Here’s why hiring a Chicago micro-wedding videographer is one of the best investments you can make:
- Smaller weddings feel more emotional and more personal.
- Candid guest interactions (which you might miss in larger weddings) are easy to capture.
- Your story can unfold in a more intimate, documentary style that feels like a true love film.
👉 EverAfter Wedding Films specializes in this subtle, cinematic storytelling — perfect for micro-weddings.
📍 Top Chicago Venues for Micro-Weddings
If you’re planning a small wedding in Chicago, here are some of our favorite venues that pair beautifully with videography:
🏡 Chicago History Museum (Outdoor Plaza)
- Intimate space with Lincoln Park views.
- Beautiful natural light for outdoor ceremonies.
- Perfect for micro-weddings under 50 guests.
🎥 Pro Tip: Small weddings here allow us to capture skyline shots with drone footage for a cinematic opening.
🪟 Chicago Athletic Association Hotel — Madison Ballroom
- Historic charm with gorgeous tall windows.
- Private spaces that feel cozy but grand.
- A soft, romantic atmosphere that looks stunning on film.
🎥 Pro Tip: We often film emotional first looks in their vintage wood-panelled hallways.
🌳 Chicago Botanic Garden — Smaller Garden Rooms
- The Rose Terrace and English Walled Garden are perfect for micro-weddings.
- Spring and fall color palettes make for visually rich wedding films.
🎥 Pro Tip: Quiet garden moments allow for intimate cinematic sequences without distraction.
🌆 Loft Lucia
- Modern rooftop venue with skyline views.
- Ideal for city lovers who want a sleek, minimal look.
🎥 Pro Tip: Sunset shots on the rooftop here make for perfect highlight film closers.
🏠 Your Home or Backyard
- One of the most popular trends in Chicago micro-weddings.
- Home weddings offer unmatched personal details and raw emotion.
🎥 Pro Tip: We’ve filmed incredible micro-weddings at family homes where the laughter, candid moments, and warm lighting create unforgettable films.
💡 Why Micro-Weddings Offer More Storytelling Freedom
With smaller guest lists and less rigid timelines, micro-weddings naturally unfold with more flexibility.
✅ No rush between locations
✅ Longer vow moments
✅ More meaningful toasts
✅ Space for quiet candid captures
✅ Room to focus on you and your closest people
🎥 At EverAfter Wedding Films, we use this creative space to:
- Film wide cinematic establishing shots.
- Focus on personal storytelling.
- Capture deep emotions without feeling like we’re rushing through a packed schedule.
🎞 Real Chicago Micro-Wedding Example
(Embed one of your real micro-wedding films here)
Watch how the small details, the unscripted laughs, and the personal stories come alive in this film.
“What made this wedding unforgettable wasn’t the size — it was the intimacy. You could feel the love in every glance and every word shared.” — EverAfter Wedding Films
📊 Chicago Micro-Wedding Videography Packages
| Package Feature | Micro-Wedding Videography |
|---|---|
| Hours of Coverage | Often 4-6 hours |
| Team Size | Typically solo or dual shooter |
| Deliverables | Highlight film + ceremony edit |
| Drone Footage | Often included |
| Cost Range | $3,500 – $7,500 |
👉 At EverAfter Wedding Films, we offer customizable micro-wedding packages to perfectly fit your smaller, more intimate day.
📸 Should You Hire a Photographer AND Videographer for a Micro-Wedding?
Absolutely.
Your day may be small, but that doesn’t mean you should choose one over the other. Photos and videos tell different parts of the story.
(Check out our blog: Do You Really Need Both a Wedding Photographer & Videographer?)
Photos will capture your details, portraits, and still moments.
Video will capture your vows, movements, voices, toasts, and the emotional energy of your celebration.
🎤 The Importance of Audio in Micro-Weddings
When you have a smaller guest list, every word matters.
Your vows and speeches carry even more weight in an intimate setting.
🎥 At EverAfter Wedding Films, we ensure:
- Lapel microphones for crisp vow capture.
- Professional audio recorders during speeches.
- Ambient sound carefully mixed to preserve the feeling of the room.
💡 Pro Tips for Beautiful Micro-Wedding Videography
1️⃣ Keep the guest list truly small (under 30) for maximum intimacy.
2️⃣ Schedule “golden hour” time with your videographer — the soft light is magical.
3️⃣ Write personalized vows — you’ll treasure hearing them forever.
4️⃣ Choose spaces with natural light — it makes your wedding film shine.
5️⃣ Consider a cozy dinner table setup instead of a big ballroom — it films beautifully.
✅ Why Chicago Couples Love EverAfter Wedding Films for Micro-Weddings
We know how to blend in. We know how to capture small, unscripted moments without making the day feel like a production.
✅ Intimate, documentary-style filming
✅ Custom packages for smaller celebrations
✅ Expert Chicago venue knowledge
✅ Personal, story-driven editing
✅ Drone coverage for cinematic scale (even for small weddings)
👉 See more of our work ➔ EverAfter Wedding Films Portfolio
