The 5 Most Spectacular Micro Wedding Venues in Houston, TX for less than $5,000

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As with many things in our lives, when it comes to weddings, less is more.

According to a 2014 Study by Emory University, newlyweds who spent less than $1,000 for a micro wedding were 47% more likely to stay married over the long term than couples who spent over $20,000 for a more extravagant wedding. Micro weddings are increasingly trendy, with 14% of couples now choosing to invite fewer than 50 guests to their weddings.

I’ve helped many couples coordinate successful beach weddings in 2023. Based on my experience, if you have a budget of $5,000 for you wedding, that is more than enough to throw an amazing micro wedding that will kick off a lifetime of happiness with your spouse.

This article will showcase the most inspiring 5 micro wedding venues in Houston, TX, as well as helpful tips and advice for planning your micro wedding.

1. Best Beach Micro Wedding Venue: Starfish Swim-up

The Starfish Swim-up luxury beach house is located on the famous Pedestrian Beach, the premier beach micro wedding location in Surfside Beach, TX. Surfside beach offers a peaceful and beautiful location for a micro wedding on the beach, with plenty of nearby vacation rental beach houses for your guests.

Surfside is a very close and private community; however, one property in Surfside allows micro weddings and minimony on the beach in front of the property.

beach micro wedding in surfside beach texas

Beach Micro Wedding Venue

This beautiful beachfront property was built by Warren Moon in 2001, and features a 180 degree view of the ocean from the rustic deck. The property has direct beachfront access to the beautiful Pedestrian Beach, a semi-private stretch of beach where vehicles are not allowed.

There is a large paved and shaded beachside area ideal for a cocktail hour and photographs.

A quarter mile up the beach are several restaurants perfectly suited for a reception dinner.

Both of the adjacent properties are available for rent, as well, if your wedding party is larger than 23 and they need overnight accommodations.

Many brides choose to invite their bridesmaids to stay with them in the house the night before the wedding, and then use the property as a mini-moon honeymoon following the ceremony.

View Micro Wedding Beach Photos

starfish hanging on a beach pavilion for a micro wedding

Micro Wedding Package and Price

Venue Price: $1,800 – 3,000 (depending on season)
Micro wedding package:

  • 🕒 48-72 hours private access to the beachfront property (6 Bedrooms / 5 Baths)
  • 👥 Up to 40 people
  • 👰 Semi-private Beach for Ceremony
  • 🍽 1500 sqft paved / covered area

Elopement / Minimony Package and Price

Venue Price: $1,000+
Elopement / Minimony wedding package:

  • 🕒 24-48 hours private access to the beachfront property (6 Bedrooms / 5 Baths)
  • 👥 Up to 23 people
  • 👰 Semi-private Beach for Ceremony
  • 🍽 1500 sqft paved / covered area
white fabric canopy tent with green heart floor decor at beach
man and woman standing on shore kissing after a micro wedding

2. Best Rustic Micro Wedding Venue: The Reserve on Cypress Creek

micro wedding venues

Micro Wedding Venue

The Reserve on Cypress Creek is a beautiful, rustic waterfront micro wedding Houston venue located within 30 minutes of downtown Houston in Cypress Texas.

This nature-inspired reserve is on 12 acres and is one of the most affordable outdoor micro wedding venues in Houston.

The tents provided for micro weddings are heated and air-conditioned, so your guests can enjoy the natural beauty in comfort.

View Micro Wedding Photos

micro wedding venues

Micro Wedding Package and Price

Venue Price: $2,000 – 2,400
Micro wedding package:

  • 🕒 4 hours
  • 👥 Up to 50 people
  • 👰 Seated ceremony
  • 🍽 Tent for cocktail hour with chairs and tables

Elopement / Minimony Package and Price

Venue Price: $1,000+
Elopement / Minimony wedding package:

  • 🕒 2 hours
  • 👥 Up to 30 people
  • 👰 Ceremony and photographs
  • 🍽 High-top tables

3. Best Poolside Micro Wedding Venue: Rancho Escondido

Micro Wedding Package and Price

Venue Price: $750
Micro wedding package:

  • 🕒 6 hours
  • 👥 Up to 40 people
  • 👰 Gazebo ceremony
  • 🍽 Cocktail Tables + Patio seating + Picnic tables for cocktail hour
poolside micro wedding venue

Poolside Micro Wedding Venue

Rancho Escondido has consistent 5 star reviews for a reason! This spectacular micro wedding venue is located near Houston in Tomball Texas..

Winner of the 2023 Peerspace award, this spacious, 4-acre property offers a charming, bubbly atmosphere for a micro wedding or minimony.

The host provides additional benefits, like Bluetooth speakers, rustic stock tank coolers, and extra chairs and tables for free.

When considering the venue for your micro wedding in Houston, Rancho Escondido is an excellent choice.

View Micro Wedding Photos

4. Best All-inclusive Micro Wedding Venue: County Line Event Center

All-inclusive Micro Wedding Venue

County Line Events Center is conveniently located in south Houston and has an average of 4.8 star reviews from happy couples.

This venue is excellent for Brides who long for a traditional wedding structure and a coordinator to plan everything.

Having all the things (food, DJ, centerpieces, etc) helps you plan quickly and spend your time enjoying your day, rather than arranging details.

There is no substitute for experience, either; I fyou have the budget, letting County Line Event Center’s staff sweat all the small stuff for you is a great decision.

View Micro Wedding Photos

all-inclusive micro wedding venue

Micro Wedding Package and Price

Venue Price: $3,942
Micro wedding package:

  • 🕒 6 hours
  • 👥 Up to 40 people
  • 👰 Ceremony, Officiant included
  • 🍽 Food, Cake, Waitstaff, DJ, Tables, Chairs, Linens, and Centerpieces included

5. Best Downtown Houston Micro Wedding Venue: Bisong Art Gallery

downtown micro wedding venue

Downtown Micro Wedding Venue

The Bisong Art Gallery earns its reputation as a gorgeous downtown wedding venue! Located in a trendy downtown Houston near the river, this venue is not to be missed.

With a breathtaking indoor area as well as a spacious patio, there is plenty of room for all your guests to mingle and dance.

10 6′ tables and 4 bar-height tables are available, as well as a 16′ bar and up to 60 chairs.

If you like the ambiance of a bustling downtown chic, look no further than the Bisong Art Gallery!

View Photos

downtown micro wedding venue

Downtown Wedding Package and Price

Venue Price: $1,500
Micro wedding package:

  • 🕒 6 hours
  • 👥 Up to 60 people
  • 👰 Indoor seated ceremony
  • 🍽 Tables, chairs, and linens included

What does a Micro Wedding look like?

micro wedding in an outdoor field

A micro wedding is a ceremony and reception with 20-50 guests. Some couples choose to combine an elopement and a receptions later, which is another form of a micro wedding. Many married couples will choose to renew their vows in a micro wedding ceremony.

Are micro weddings awkward?

Micro weddings are much less awkward than large weddings. Beacuse Micro weddings are more intimate than large weddings, fewer guests are watching your every move during the ceremony. What is more, only your closest and most trusted family and friends are invited, which nurtures a comfortable, supportive, and loving atmosphere.

What are the pros of a micro wedding?

The pros of a micro wedding center around a lower number of guests. Inviting fewer guests opens up a much wider selection of beautiful, smaller venues, fewer people’s opinions to worry about, less budget required, and overall a lot less work.

What are the disadvantages of a small wedding?

The biggest disadvantage of a small wedding is the process of narrowing the guest list, which can cause conflicts between the bride and groom, who may find it difficult to compare the value of inviting individuals from different friend or family groups.

man lifting his new wife on the beach after a micro wedding
woman standing beside hanging light bulbs in a bridal gown dancing at a micro wedding

How do you announce a micro wedding?

Usually, micro weddings are announced in an intimate, informal way. A handwritten, heartfelt note is more meaningful than a fancy invitation, and in low numbers, this is a reasonable way to send invitations. After the ceremony, you can share the news of your wedding on social media with pictures of the day for a wider friend group to enjoy.

How do you have a small wedding without offending anyone?

To have a small wedding without offending anyone, they key is to be open and honest about your choice, and let many people know as early as possible. If possible, create clear lines that define why certain people are on the guest list, and stay consistent.

Make sure that, as early as possible, anyone who could conceivably have made the list is informed about the wedding and the reason why you decided to only invite a select few.

Do you have bridesmaids for micro wedding?

Most micro weddings have a maid of honor, but not all have additional bridesmaids. This is a decision made based on what is best for the bride.

How long does a micro wedding last?

A typical micro wedding will last 4-6 hours. Micro weddings are typically the same length as large weddings.

What is a good budget for a micro wedding?

Your marriage and wedding memories will be priceless, but your wedding day doesn’t have to break the bank! With the average wedding ceremony in the US now costing over $30,000, many couples are choosing to spend $3,000-$11,000 on a micro wedding instead.

A dream wedding will require a budget of at least $100 per guest. By inviting only the most important people to a more intimate wedding, you can easily reduce the cost of your wedding without sacrificing any of the experience.

bride and groom walking on a beach near the water

Is $5000 enough for a wedding?

With $5,000, you can definitely cover the cost of a wedding, including venue, dress, flowers, photography, ceremony, and reception. Read the testimonials of Sandy Smith and LaTisha Styles, who both stuck to a budget of about $5,000 for their weddings.

bride and groom kissing near tree against the sun photo

Is 10k a realistic wedding budget?

You can plan an amazing wedding with a large guest list on a budget of $10k. To make the most of your budget, you will be well served to find a volunteer (friend) wedding coordinator and to avoid the cost of most all-inclusive venues.

How do you plan a wedding on a budget of $1000?

To plan a wedding on a budget of $1000 USD, you should find a free venue (church) and a volunteer officiant. Use electronic wedding invitations, and bake your wedding cake yourself. To save costs, you can rent a wedding dress and use tips on social media to do your hair and makeup. If needed, you can turn your wedding into a pot luck, and ask guests to bring a side dish as part of their wedding gift 🙂

What is the least expensive month to get married?

The least expensive months to get married at January, March and November. During the low season, most venues offer discounted rates due to the lower demand, which is a great opportunity for budget weddings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you have a successful micro wedding?

A successful micro-wedding starts with the right guest list and being open and honest with everyone involved. Once you’ve narrowed the list, choose a comfortable, luxurious venue with plenty of photo ops.

What does Minimony mean?

A minimony is a mini wedding ceremony. A minimony is even more intimate than a micro wedding, typically with less than 20 guests.

How do you plan a Minimony?

Plannning a minimony requires similar planning to a traditional wedding. You’ll need an officiant, a guest list, a venue, invitations, flowers, food, and a cake.

How many people is a micro wedding?

A micro wedding typically involves 20-50 guests.

How is eloping different from marriage?

Eloping is a wedding ceremony with just the bridge, groom, and officiant. Marriage is the agreement that the couple makes during the ceremony to stay faithful to one another for life and unify legally. Some couples choose to elope in private, but many choose elopement just for the intimacy of the ceremony. Most elopment ceremonies take place outdoors.

Are micro weddings worth it?

Micro weddings are worth it as a more intimate and budget-friendly alternative to a large wedding. Most couples are thrilled with their choice following their micro wedding.

What’s smaller than a micro wedding?

A minimony is an intimate wedding ceremony with fewer than 20 guests.

view of small wedding ceremony by saluting battery in valetta malta

Minimony

Micro Wedding vs. Minimony vs. Elopement: How to Choose

How small is a micro wedding?

A micro wedding typically has 20 – 50 guests. Typically micro wedding ideas are the same as those of a traditional wedding.

Who gets invited to a micro wedding?

Close family members and a handful of friends are usually invited to a micro wedding.

Is a 20 person wedding too small?

A 20 person wedding is usually considered a micro wedding or a minimony and may be the perfect size, depending on the preferences of the bride and groom.

Is a 25 person wedding too small?

A 25 person wedding is usually considered a micro wedding and may be the perfect size, depending on the preferences of the bride and groom.

Do couples who elope last longer?

Many studies show that couples who elope enjoy marriages that last longer on average than couples who choose large expensive weddings.

What is a tiny wedding?

A tiny wedding typically has less than 50 guests who can fit comfortably around 6 tables.

How many guests is considered an elopement?

An elopement is a wedding involving only the bride, groom, and the officiant.

Is 50 guests a small wedding?

A small wedding has fewer than 50 guests.

Is 60 people a micro wedding?

A wedding with 60 guests is larger than a micro wedding, this would be considered a medium-sized wedding.

Are small weddings becoming more popular?

Samall weddings are becoming more popular as large weddings become more expensive and challenging to plan.

Are couples who elope happier?

Couples who have eloped report that they are able to more fully commit to the moment of marriage and focus on each other without inhibitions.

What is considered a Minimony?

A minimony is a mini wedding ceremony with fewer than 20 guests.

How much is the average wedding?

The average wedding in the United States costs about $30,000 USD.

What is the average RSVP rate for weddings?

The average RSVP rate for weddings is 80%. This means that if you invite 40 people, you should expect 32 to RSVP yes.

What is the perfect number of wedding guests?

According to recent data, 14% of couples invited less than 50 guests to their wedding, 35% of couples invited 51-100 people, and only half invited over 100 guests.

What does a minimalist wedding look like?

Minimalist weddings feature geometric shapes and clean, simple lines. Colors tend to be muted and pastel, highlighting 2-3 primary decorations by minimizing any surrounding clutter.

Is it OK to have a simple wedding?

It is ok to have a simple wedding. Ultimately, it’s the bride and groom who decide what it right for them.

How many guests is considered a micro wedding?

A micro wedding typically has 20 – 50 guests.

What size is a micro wedding?

A micro wedding typically has 20 – 50 guests.

Is a 30 person wedding too small?

A 30 person wedding is usually considered a micro wedding or a minimony and may be the perfect size, depending on the preferences of the bride and groom.

What is the tiny wedding trend?

The tiny wedding trend features brides who share their micro wedding ideas.

How do you tell people you are having a micro wedding?

The way to tell people you are having a micro wedding is to let them know early in the process and be completely open and honest about your reasons for having a small guest list. Be sure to share your reasoning behind how you chose to limit the list, and stay consistent.

Do cheap weddings last longer?

According to a 2014 Study by Emory University, newlyweds who spent less than $1,000 for a micro wedding were 47% more likely to stay married over the long term than couples who spent over $20,000 for a more extravagant wedding.