Why More Michigan Couples Are Choosing Small WeddingsLast fall, a couple got married in a friend's backyard in Traverse City. Twenty-two guests, a potluck dinner, string lights strung between two maple trees. No head table, no seating chart, no timeline printed on cardstock. Just the people who mattered most, standing close enough to hear every word of the vows.

That kind of wedding used to be the exception. Now it's becoming the plan.

It takes the pressure off. When you're not managing a 200-person guest list, a dozen vendor contracts, and a seating chart that somehow still upsets someone, you actually get to enjoy being engaged. Couples tell us the biggest surprise of going small is how much time they get back — time that goes toward each other instead of a binder full of logistics.

The math works differently. A smaller guest list doesn't just save money — it changes where the money goes. Instead of stretching a budget thin across 150 place settings, couples put it into the things they'll actually remember: a photographer who gets the whole day, a dinner they actually chose, a venue that feels like them rather than the only ballroom still available.

Every face in the room means something. At a big wedding, there's almost always a table of people the couple barely knows — a coworker's plus-one, a second cousin twice removed. At a small wedding, everyone there was invited on purpose. You can actually talk to them. Some couples say it's the first time in the whole process they felt like the day was about their relationship, not about hosting an event.

You're not stuck waiting on a venue. Popular reception halls book out twelve to eighteen months in advance, sometimes longer. Smaller, more personal spaces have far more flexibility — which means shorter engagements, better availability, and a lot less waiting around for a date to open up
.
The location options open up. A guest list of 20 can get married almost anywhere: a state park overlook, a friend's garden, a cabin up north, a downtown loft. Michigan has no shortage of beautiful, unconventional spaces that simply can't hold a 250-person crowd — and that's exactly what makes them feel special.

The day stays about the marriage. Strip away the production — the elaborate entrances, the extended vendor list, the hour-long photo session with extended family — and what's left is the actual point: two people making a commitment, surrounded by the handful of people who've earned a front-row seat.

It can look like whatever you want. Some couples elope with just each other and a photographer. Others gather twelve close friends for a weekend up north. There's no rulebook for what a wedding has to look like anymore — just what feels true to your story.

At A Simple I Do, we've helped hundreds of Michigan couples plan weddings that feel like them — simple, unhurried, and genuinely joyful. If a smaller wedding sounds like your kind of day, we'd love to help you and officiate  it. Learn More 
​

Looking for a Courthouse Wedding?
Here's a Warmer Alternative

You searched "courthouse wedding" for a reason. Maybe you want to get married fast. Maybe a big production has never sounded like you. Maybe it's a Tuesday and you just want it done, without a year of planning standing between you and being married.

Here's what a lot of couples don't realize: you don't actually have to stand in a government building to get that same simplicity.

At A Simple I Do, we offer everything a courthouse ceremony gives you — the speed, the low cost, the lack of fuss — but the ceremony itself happens somewhere that actually feels like it belongs to you. A park bench under the trees. A quiet garden. A cozy indoor space with good light and nobody rushing you out the door for the next couple in line. All of it fully legal, all of it official, none of it feeling like paperwork.

It tends to be the right fit for couples who want to get married quickly, who are planning a small wedding or a true elopement, who need something that works around a weekday, or who just want the day to mean something without turning it into a production. If any of that sounds like you, you're exactly who this is for.

You still get the marriage license signed, the vows said, the "I do" that makes it real. You also get a moment that actually feels like your own — one with a photo you'll want to keep, not just a form with a stamp on it.

We serve couples throughout Holly, Fenton, Clarkston, Waterford, and the surrounding Michigan communities.

If a courthouse wedding sounds practical but a little cold, let's talk about a ceremony built just for the two of you — same simplicity, a lot more heart.

Elope in Battle Alley, Holly, Michigan, with A Simple I Do
For couples searching for a unique, historical spot to elope, Battle Alley in Holly, Michigan, is an unforgettable location. Known for its charming, Victorian-era buildings, cobblestone streets, and enchanting atmosphere, Battle Alley creates an intimate backdrop perfect for a romantic elopement. At A Simple I Do, we specialize in crafting personalized, meaningful elopements in stunning locations like Battle Alley, making it easy to celebrate your love story.
Why Elope in Battle Alley?Battle Alley is the heart of historic Holly. Its quaint storefronts, beautiful architecture, and cobblestone path invite you to step back in time, adding an extra touch of magic to your elopement day. This iconic street is lined with colorful buildings and unique details, giving your ceremony a nostalgic, romantic vibe.
Perfect for couples who want a quiet, memorable moment with each other, Battle Alley is an ideal place to say “I do.” The area is tucked away from busier streets, providing a private yet charming spot that feels both intimate and special. And if you’re looking to capture those perfect elopement photos, the historic street and its unique details create a one-of-a-kind backdrop.

Consider renting an Airbnb right in battle alley to make the elopement even more special for you. 

Elope in Battle Alley with A Simple I DoChoosing to elope in Battle Alley with A Simple I Do means you get a stress-free, tailored experience designed just for you. I work with you to craft a heartfelt ceremony that celebrates your journey together and honors the beauty of this historic setting. Whether you want a quick, simple exchange or a personalized ceremony, I’ll help make sure your elopement is exactly what you envision.
When you’re ready to elope in Holly, Michigan, Battle Alley provides the charm, intimacy, and magic you’re looking for. Reach out to A Simple I Do to begin planning a day that’s centered around your love, in one of Michigan’s most treasured locations.

Officiant: Nichole Bertucci. A Simple I Do www.asimpleido.com 
Photographer: Julia Cuddy https://www.juliacuddy.com/
Airbnb: The Herald, battle alley, holly mi 

What a beautiful way to start a new year, a wedding in downtown Holly Michigan. The kindest couple scheduled a sweet little coffee shop signing with me and we chose to use Battle Alley in Holly Michigan to meet up at. 

They gathered their closest friends and family and we even did a first look. The bride wore a beautiful wedding gown and the groom was dressed in dashingly in a suit and winter coat. 

As the family watched on the bride entered the cutest little side street decorated with shops and bistro lights she tapped the shoulder of her groom and he turned to see her and the emotions all spilled over. They embraced each other shared a few words and we began their wedding ceremony. A short and sweet little wedding ceremony was performed and then we signed the marriage license to make it legal. 

It was a beautiful way to start the new year 2023!