In the world of Indianapolis weddings & photography, there are no rules—only endless possibilities. If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that couples no longer feel bound to tradition. Your wedding day should reflect your personality, your love story, and your dreams. One of the rising trends I’ve had the pleasure of photographing recently is the micro wedding followed by a larger reception later on. And let me tell you, it is a game changer.
"I had never pictured splitting the wedding celebration into 2 days but when we decided on using our current anniversary date everything fell completely into place. We didn’t want to blow a budget out of the water so only having select people at our ceremony was perfect and it also allowed us more privacy as surprisingly once the reality of getting married in almost 100 people actually made me uncomfortable! Having a venue so close to home was incredibly helpful for timeline purposes and also allowed a lot more flexibility. Having the reception separate meant we didn’t have to feed our guests a full meal which helped on cost for sure. We got to greet our guests, enjoy the special moments and then party it up!"
This past weekend, I had the honor of capturing Olivia and Will’s wedding reception. A few weeks earlier, they had a small, intimate ceremony with just 16 guests (plus their dog, Cora!). On August 19th, they tied the knot in a setting that was deeply meaningful to them (check out their wedding day blog here). But they didn’t stop there. Over the weekend, Olivia and Will hosted a full-blown reception for all their family and friends—a celebration as unique and personal as their love story.
Theme 1: The Advantages of Doing Your Wedding Your Way
After photographing more than 400 weddings, I’ve learned that the most memorable ones are those where couples truly embrace what matters most to them. Olivia and Will are a perfect example of how you can break the mold and still have a day filled with love, joy, and unforgettable moments.
They reminded us all that the idea of a "perfect" wedding is entirely subjective. For some, it's a grand event with hundreds of guests. For others, it’s an intimate gathering of the people who mean the most, followed by a joyous celebration later. Olivia and Will chose the latter, focusing on the moments they shared with each guest.
Olivia’s three dress changes throughout the night beautifully symbolized the range of emotions and experiences she wanted to create for herself and her loved ones:
Her wedding dress:
When Olivia greeted her guests, she wore the dress she had originally worn to say her vows. It was a beautiful reminder of the commitment they had already made to each other.
Her mother’s wedding dress:
For her first dance with her father, she changed into her mom’s wedding dress, paying homage to family tradition in a deeply personal and emotional moment.
A short white dress with puffy sleeves and light-up shoes:
By the time the dance party began, Olivia had changed into a fun, modern outfit—one that allowed her to let loose and dance the night away with friends and family. The light-up shoes were an incredible touch, adding playfulness and joy to an already energetic night.
The flexibility in choosing how you celebrate allows couples to capture all the aspects of their personalities. Whether you want a more traditional ceremony or a laid-back dance party, the key is to make choices that resonate with you. When you design a day that aligns with your true self, you create moments that will last forever.
The Perfect Backdrop: 600 East Event Center
The setting of Olivia and Will’s reception added to the magic of the night. Held at the 600 East Event Center in downtown Indianapolis, the venue was the ideal location for their celebration. This elegant space, known for its modern design and versatile layout, provided the perfect backdrop for both formal moments and lively dancing. With its urban location and chic aesthetic, 600 East offered a warm, welcoming atmosphere for the couple’s friends and family to come together.
One of the standout features of 600 East is its ability to transform from a sophisticated venue for formal photos and ceremonies to a vibrant space for late-night celebrations. The versatility was perfect for Olivia and Will, as they moved from a formal entrance to a relaxed, joyful dance party. If you’re looking for a venue that combines style with flexibility, 600 East is a fantastic choice for couples who want to personalize their event from start to finish.
One of the special moments that made Olivia and Will’s reception stand out was when they debuted their wedding film from AR Davis Media to their friends and family. This little touch added an intimate and nostalgic layer to the evening, allowing their guests to experience the highlights of their private ceremony. The film played beautifully, evoking laughter and tears as everyone got a glimpse into the emotional moments they shared just a few weeks prior. It was a heartwarming reminder of the love and commitment that had already taken place, making the reception even more meaningful.
Theme 2: The Micro Wedding + Later Reception Trend: Why It Works
Micro weddings and later receptions are becoming a popular option for couples who want to split their celebration. Here’s why this trend is worth considering:
Intimacy and Meaning:
Micro weddings are designed for couples who want a deeply personal experience with a small group of loved ones. By narrowing down the guest list, you can create an atmosphere where every conversation, hug, and laugh feels significant. Olivia and Will’s intimate ceremony allowed them to focus entirely on each other and the guests who mattered most.
Budget Flexibility:
Let’s face it—weddings can be expensive. Hosting a micro wedding followed by a larger reception gives you the flexibility to allocate your budget where it matters most. Some couples choose to splurge on a gorgeous venue for the ceremony and keep things more casual for the reception, or vice versa.
let's talk food - heavy apps - loved it and I think guests did too.
What was your favorite - why do food this way?
"Not having all of our wedding celebrations on one day allowed us flexibility to NOT serve a full dinner which is a huge save on budget and the timeline. It allowed our reception to be much more informal and more of the party/celebration we wanted"
The Best of Both Worlds:
Olivia and Will's wedding day on August 19th was quiet and personal (their 7 year anniversary), while their later reception was full of life and energy. This approach allowed them to have two completely different experiences, both of which were memorable in their own ways.
Less Stress, More Joy:
By separating the wedding day and the reception, you relieve the pressure of cramming every event into one day. Olivia and Will didn’t have to worry about managing timelines or balancing time between all their guests. Instead, they got to enjoy a beautiful ceremony with their closest friends and family and a full-on party with their broader circle of loved ones weeks later. It’s a win-win!
More Time to Celebrate:
Who says your wedding celebration has to be limited to just one day? By hosting the reception later, you extend the joy and excitement, turning your wedding into a multi-day (or even multi-week) event. Olivia and Will’s weekend reception felt fresh and exciting, even though they had already been married for weeks. Their love story was worth celebrating twice—and whose isn’t?
Olivia's favorite part of the reception night were her light up shoes!
A New Take on Wedding Traditions
"I never really questioned if we were making the right decisions because it’s what will & I wanted for our day. I think having a highlight video of our ceremony day was the perfect way to make all of our reception guests feel included but saved us time and money. I didn’t include any additional decor because what the venue supplied was perfect - I definitely suggest finding venues that don’t come completely empty. Extra decor could have helped sure, but I don’t believe that’s what people remember. Minimal floral and light candles was enough and the touch point of a 360 camera gave guests a fun interactive activity besides the dance floor - photo booths are great but people dress up to celebrate you and they’re always looking for a way to get that head to toe outfit shot. I absolutely recommend couples doing exactly what they feel compelled to do on their day (like changing 3 times for example) and taking a moment to understand the audience of who they’re inviting. I know people would have supported our day no matter what but I recognize it’s okay that only a select few would really appreciate the ceremony for what it was and I didn’t want 100 people to be too tired to dance and party so that’s all they were required to come and do on reception day and I think it worked perfectly for us!"
Olivia and Will's wedding journey is proof that there’s always room to do things differently, no matter how many weddings you’ve attended or how much advice you receive. From their unique dress changes to the small-but-intimate ceremony followed by a grand reception, they showed us all that the most important part of your wedding day is doing it your way.
Whether you're planning a small ceremony followed by a later reception or blending traditional elements with modern-day flair, remember that your wedding day should be a reflection of you. Embrace what makes you and your partner unique, and don’t be afraid to break the rules.
When it comes to celebrating love, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Create a wedding that represents the heart of your relationship, and you'll always look back on that day with joy.
Featured Wedding Professionals
Photography : Rogue Image Photo
Venue : 600 East Events
Wedding Video : AR Davis Media
Floral : Urban Contessa
Coordination : AR Davis Media
Hair & Makeup : SummerCo Bridal & Lorena Somers Makeup
Dress : Blue House Bridal
Alterations : Something Wonderful Indy
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