Inflation is killing the big 200+ person wedding. Who wants to blow $100,000 on a single day? New trend alert: Micro weddings (and 2 startup ideas worth taking)
I got married recently. No hundred-person guest list. No fancy venue. Just 14 people, including my wife and me.
It was intimate. It was personal. It was perfect.
We had dinner at our favorite French restaurant. Steak frites and red wine. That’s it. Wouldn't change a thing.
And guess what? We’re not alone. Micro-weddings are trending, especially in major cities like NYC, LA etc
With costs per guest soaring over $1,000 (thanks, inflation), couples are saying "I don't" to big, expensive weddings.
Here’s some ideas around the trend with low risk, high reward
Startup idea #1: Airbnb Experiences but for Micro-Weddings
Airbnb probably does $1B/year on their experiences (my best projection), but don't cover micro-weddings.
Imagine getting married in the Sequoias, surrounded by towering trees. Or upstate NY, surrounded by rolling hills.
All for just $5,000.
A Reddit post went viral where a couple broke down their $23,000 micro-wedding in LA. This validates the idea.
Create a micro-wedding planning agency. Offer all-inclusive packages that streamline the process.
One company, Our Little Wedding, is already doing it in San Francisco. They offer elopement packages starting at $5,000.
You get a private ceremony, photography, florals, dinner, and a cake. All in a stunning location.
The best part? Couples feel like they’re saving money. They’re happy to spend $5k when they thought they’d spend $50k.
Over time, you become the Airbnb Experiences for micro-weddings. Expand beyond micro-weddings eventually. Who knows? Maybe sell to Airbnb for $100M.
How to get started:
1) Identify unique venues. Think outside the box – gardens, libraries, rooftops.
2) Create a killer website with SEO-optimized content about micro-weddings.
3) Run targeted ads on Instagram and Pinterest. Show off stunning micro-wedding visuals
Okay, I'll give you another startup idea that might get your creative juices flowing.
Startup idea #2: Micro-Wedding Content Hub
Start a website that’s the ultimate resource for everything micro-weddings.
This is part of a bigger trend which is there's too much info out there. People want taste and curation.
How to get started:
1) Curate inspirational stories and real wedding examples.
2) Offer planning guides, checklists, and vendor directories. 90% in short form video.
3) Monetize through affiliate/paid memberships.
So, here's the blueprint how to create these types of businesses:
1) Observe trends IRL
2) Use Google Trends to find new related trends
3) Use Reddit to validate the idea and decide geography to launch with
4) Build audience (short form video) to drive traffic/clarify offer
5) Use AI/No-code to launch mvp
6) Start printing, start iterating.
Want more ideas? 30+ free startup ideas here https://lnkd.in/dGt8Cch4
Free for now, not forever.
