Micro-Wedding vs. Big Bash: What’s the Cost in Brainerd?

It helps to see the cost differences between a micro-wedding vs. a traditional, larger wedding. Ultimately, whether a smaller wedding is better depends on the preferences and priorities of the couple. If the couple has always dreamed of inviting 250 guests and putting on a huge party, by all means, go for it! And invite me! Speaking strictly for us and our services, we focus on small and intimate – quality over quantity.

Google says for a larger wedding, you’re looking at spending over $200 PER GUEST. The average wedding cost in 2022 was $30,000. In 2024 and with inflation, you’re probably looking at $40,000+. Ouch. Doesn’t a micro-wedding sound much more appealing?

Lets go through all the services we personally offer: Venue, coordination, officiant, florals, photography, decor, styling, lighting, china rental and a getting ready location which will be ready in the summer of 2025.

First things first—you need a killer location! And let me tell you, our cottage is the moment. Unlike other venues that need a Pinterest board’s worth of decor, our space is already serving major vibes just as it is. Seriously, check out the photo above—no extra fluff required for a stunning ceremony backdrop.

Here’s the deal:
💐 Our Cottage Wedding Package: starts at $1,000.

All packages include on-site coordination, tables and chairs, and officiant. Oh, and our coordinators? They double as your DJ, handling music and announcements. We even take care of the trash (because who wants to deal with that?).

Now, let’s talk traditional venues. On the low end, you’re looking at $8,000 just for site rental. Mid-range? $10,500. High-end? A whopping $20,000. And that doesn’t even cover their food and beverage minimums, decor, setup and tear down etc…—which, spoiler alert, add up fast.

Why stress over the basics when you can have turnkey perfection with us? Let’s make it simple, stylish, and oh-so-you! 💍

Us: We’ve got on-site coordination covered. Why? Because having a dedicated team to keep everything running smoothly is non-negotiable. We’re here to make sure every little detail you want happens just the way you envisioned. And not to brag (okay, we’re totally bragging), but our cottage Team absolutely crushes it when it comes to making wedding days flawless. ✨

Outside cost: Hiring a coordinator elsewhere? That’ll set you back anywhere from $1,500 to $8,000, depending on what they’re handling. Yeah… let that sink in. 😏

For those with a taste for the finer things, we offer a chic china rental option. Our package is $500 and includes everything: glassware, cutlery, dishware, setup, and cleanup. Stress-free elegance, anyone? Plus we set this up and filled the water glasses for our bride Kayla. It was so very pretty as you can see from the photos.

Now, let’s talk bigger weddings. You’re looking at $15–$30 per guest just for the rentals. Oh, and don’t forget those sneaky delivery fees. Plus, are those rentals coming with setup and cleanup on your big day? Or are you stuck begging Aunt Linda to handle it? 🤔 With us, it’s all taken care of. You’re welcome. 😉

Here’s a fun perk: our coordinators double as your DJs! 🎶 We’ll ask you to whip up a apple playlist and share it with us ahead of time. From there, we’ll connect to our sound system (speaker) and make the magic happen. Want a specific song at a specific time? Just say the word—it’s your day, your way! If you would like we have an apple playlist.

Now, if you’re planning a larger wedding, get ready to drop some serious cash: DJs typically run $1,200–$3,500, and live bands average around $4,500. Ouch. Wouldn’t you rather keep that money and still have a killer soundtrack? 😉

Let’s talk about the services we don’t offer in-house but are absolutely essential for your big day: food, and alcohol. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with an extensive list of local vendors we love, so finding your dream team is a breeze!

Food:
Flexibility is the name of the game here! We’ve seen couples feed 50 guests for just $650 with options like Chef Mikes Luxury Boxed Lunches or their buffet . You can even cater from your favorite restaurant. For larger weddings (100+ guests), food costs can climb to $10,000–$20,000, so keeping it small has its perks!

Alcohol:
Their pricing ranges from $1,400 to $1,800. If you’re planning a big bash, expect to allocate 10%–20% of your budget just for drinks. Cheers to flexibility! We have options that are less expensive 🥂

Larger Weddings: Let’s break it down. If you’re planning a low-end larger wedding with 150 guests, the total comes out to about $51,000—just for the basics like venue, coordination, florals, photography, and decor. This doesn’t even include food, alcohol, or overnight stays. Add those in, and you’re looking at roughly $63,000. And remember, that’s the low end. On the high end, a 150-guest wedding can easily hit $100,000. 😳

Us: Weddings with us average around $10,000. That includes your ceremony, reception, florals, decor/styling, photography, and food that you would get from one of our preferred catering .

The Hard Truth: A wedding is a luxury. If you just want to be married, hit up the courthouse and boom—you’ve got your paperwork! 🎉 But if you’re dreaming of a beautiful venue, florals, photos, and celebrating with your favorite people, that’s the wedding experience—and it comes with a price tag.

That said, we believe weddings are worth it. Finding your person out of 8 billion people is a big freakin’ deal. And that union? It deserves to be celebrated. Life’s too short not to throw a party with the ones you love most to honor such an incredible milestone.

We say: celebrate your love. You deserve it. ❤️

Venue: The Emerald Cottage (@theemeraldcottage)

Hair + Makeup: Captivating Beauty (@captivatingbeautyhairandmakeup)’

Photographer: Madisen Watson Photography (@madisenwatsonphoto)

Gown: Emily Kaye Bridal (@emily_kaye_bridal)

Florals: Celebrations Floral (@celebrationsfloraldesign)

Catering: 3 Cheers Catering (@3cheerscatering)