What is a pop-up wedding?

Pop-up weddings are becoming a worldwide trend due to the simple, stress-free nature as well as the affordability (also that thing called covid might have helped).

Picture this: You and your partner arrive at your wedding venue after spending a relaxing morning getting ready. You're both dressed up in your wedding outfits, have your marriage license and rings in hand, and have sent invitations to your small number of guests. That's all you've had to do, and you're about to get married in the perfect little wedding ceremony without the pain of planning. No logistics to tackle, no deliveries to manage, no bridal party to wrangle, no decor or styling to fuss about. The only thing you need to do is walk down the aisle, say "I do" and then celebrate with your loved ones!

Sound like your dream day? Then a pop-up wedding might be the perfect option for you.

In this blog post, we dive deep into all things pop-up! From what a pop-up wedding is, to what type of couple it suits, it's all below so let's get to it.

What is a pop-up wedding?

Pop-up weddings are a pre-arranged event where multiple couples are married at the same venue on the same day. Each couple selects a timeslot for an intimate ceremony followed by time for celebration.

Because there is more than one couple getting married at the same venue with the same suppliers, the overall costs are greatly reduced.

Who are pop-up weddings for?

The pop-up wedding style suits spontaneous and laid-back couples who want to simplify wedding planning. A pop-up is for the people who don't have the time or desire to plan every little detail, but still want to honour their love and vows surrounded by their closest loved ones.

Some couples want a seamless, fuss-free experience that aligns with their larger goals in life - to grow a family, to open a business, to buy a house, or to travel. With the average wedding in NZ often cited to cost around $35,000, a pop-up wedding becomes a great solution for those wanting a special wedding at a kinder price-point.

What does a pop-up wedding package include?

There's a wide array of pop-up packages on offer throughout New Zealand with different inclusions and amounts of personalisation. Generally, all packages include the venue hire (if applicable, sometimes you could be married at a free council venue like a local park or beach) and celebrant services. Other possible inclusions are professional photography, floral arrangements for the couple, furniture, the ceremony arch and styling, wedding cake, catering and drinks.

Typically, all inclusions are organised for you and a wedding coordinator is on site to ensure everything goes smoothly.

At The Little Wedding Planner, our Pop Up Wedding Packages are held at small wedding venues in the Bay of Plenty. There are three to five timeslots to choose from, each couple has at least 90 minutes at the venue, and every package includes the celebrant, photographer, flowers, drinks, catering, furniture, styling and coordination.

Why choose a pop-up wedding?

Fuss-free

The main advantage is that it’s fuss-free and accessible for couples on a tight budget. Pop-ups are a great option if you are looking to have an intimate and fuss-free wedding day, while still enjoying the classic things you'd expect from a wedding ceremony.

Limited planning

The great thing about a pop-up is all the work is done for you, as well as the research, so it requires very little energy and thinking on your part. You'll simply turn up with your rings (if you're exchanging), marriage license, wedding outfits, and guests (or witnesses), and the rest is organised by someone else - how lovely!

Still personalised - but less decision-making

If you choose a pop-up, then you have more time to focus on the exciting bits like your vows, your guest list (if you're struggling to get to the perfect number, here's our Top Ten Strategies for Cutting Down Your Wedding Guest List), the cake flavour and maybe the flower colours if that's part of your package. You don't have to worry about things like seating plans, decorations, wedding favours, or any of those particularly stressful details.

Affordable

Another reason to enjoy a pop-up is the affordability. You’re sharing the day with several other couples, so everyone contributes to the cost of suppliers which adds up to some pretty significant savings.

Intimate and romantic

Pop-up weddings are also generally on the smaller scale, often between 10 to 30 people total. This means your wedding will be a smaller, more intimate celebration. This suits some couples who don't like being the centre of attention or speaking in front of a crowd.

Little weddings are also often more heartfelt, as only a small number of people are there to witness your vows and commitment to each other. It makes it really romantic!

What do I need to know before I chose a pop-up wedding?

Promptness is key

As multiple couples are being married on the same day, you'll be given a timeslot and it's really important you stick to it. If you're late, you won't be able to move your booking, you'll have to fit your ceremony and celebrations into the remaining time you have.

Arrive ready to go

Be dressed in your wedding outfits, whatever they might be, with your marriage license and rings in hand.

Communication with your planner is vital

Make sure you know exactly what's expected of you, and what will happen during your allocated time. Talk with your coordinator before the day, ask for a timeline or runsheet as well as a vendor list, and be sure to ask any questions you have.

If you're worried about something, bring it up with your coordinator. They'd much rather know your feelings before the day so they can ease your stress and help make it the best event possible.

If a pop-up wedding only includes the ceremony, what do we do afterwards to celebrate?

If you're keen to carry the party on after your allocated pop-up time, there are so many options! You can organise a celebration lunch or dinner at your favourite local restaurant, plan a picnic on the beach, or a pot-luck BBQ in your backyard.

If getting your guest list down to a smaller number was a struggle for you, planning a reception afterwards gives you a chance to invite more people from your social circle to celebrate with.

With a small group, you have a lot more options for the reception as it's easier to squeeze a reduced number into non-wedding venues or restaurants. If you're stuck for a venue, you could think about an amazing date you had, or a special place for you as a couple and organise a get-together there.

Remember that you don't have to do anything after your pop-up if you don't want to! Some couples love having the evening to themselves after their wedding, watching movies or going out for dinner together, and that's awesome.

How do I book a pop-up wedding?

Find a vendor in a city near you by searching online. Some wedding venues offer pop-up wedding packages on weekdays or in the off season, so definitely do a bit of research and get in touch with your local providers.

If you're interested in a pop-up wedding in the Bay of Plenty, Waikato or Auckland areas, check out our website for upcoming pop-up wedding dates or get in touch, we'd love to help you plan something awesome.

Got more questions? Comment them below!

- Brie, The Little Wedding Planner