Weddings: Traditional weddings vs Elopements & Micro-Weddings (And Which One Is Actually Right for You?)
Hello there & welcome to all you newly engaged couples, or anyone looking to learn something about the differences in the most popular types of weddings, these days! I’m Kris Cobb, the owner at the Barn at Drewia Hill & if you’re looking for an affordable Chattanooga wedding venue, for any type wedding, you are definitely in the right place! Today, I’m going to share a little bit about the different types of weddings that we do here & which one is actually right for you. You may know about traditional weddings because you’ve been to several of those before. But what about an elopement? Or maybe a micro-wedding? Let’s go ahead dig in!
Let’s go ahead and clear this up real quick—because this is where a LOT of couples get twisted up: There are several types of weddings that are very popular right now, but many times, folks get them confused.
Not all weddings are created equal…
and smaller does NOT necessarily mean less expensive.
At The Barn at Drewia Hill, we offer three main types of affordable wedding experiences:
- Full Traditional Weddings
- Micro-Weddings
- Elopements
And while they may all sound very similar on paper… the vibe, the structure, & the overall experience are always completely different.
So let’s break it down right here… plain & simple.
Traditional Full-Day Chattanooga Wedding (50–150 Guests)
This is your classic, all-in, go-big-or-go-home wedding day.
We’re talking:
- Guest count: 50 to 150 people
- Full-day venue access
- Ceremony + cocktail hour + full reception
- Dance floor, speeches, cake cutting, sunset photos…. ALL the beautiful moments
Here is on of our most popular outdoor ceremony options for traditional weddings. (However, this set up is also possible for elopements or micro-weddings.)
It’s structured.
It’s lively.
It can be a full experience from start to finish, no matter how many guests you have.
Traditional weddings are best for couples who:
- Want that once-in-a-lifetime celebration with ALL their people
- Love a good party (because yes, we’re dancing 💃)
- Want a full timeline with all the traditional elements
At The Barn at Drewia Hill, this is where we shine—because we don’t just hand you a blank space… we help you create a beautiful, personalized, seamless, stress-free day with the kind of flow that makes everything feel effortless. Your perfect & affordable Chattanooga wedding experience, could be right here waiting on you! Let’s talk soon!
✨ Elopements (3 Hours | Typically 3–20 Guests)
Now THIS is where people get it confused.
An elopement is not just a “small wedding.”
It’s a completely different mindset.
At The Barn at Drewia Hill:
- 3-hour experience
- Typically 2–20 guests
- Focused, intentional, and beautifully simple
And yes—our elopement packages can include some of our featured in-house services like florals, catering, and coordination to make it EASY.
But here’s the truth bomb 💣
Elopements are about the moment, not the production.
To add some real wisdom to this conversation, I asked my friend Shaun Teague, owner of Cue the Champagne Wedding Planning (a fabulous Chattanooga-based business we love collaborating with), to weigh in—and whew, she said it best:
“It’s definitely a misconception that elopements and micro-weddings are cheaper.
I believe the decision should be based on the feeling and experience you desire… not how much you want to spend.”
She goes on to say:
“The most beautiful elopements we see are those where it’s just the couple or fewer than 10 guests… it allows it to be just the couple, or the couple and their parents, children, or siblings.”
And she’s exactly right.
Elopements are for couples who:
- Want a slow, meaningful, emotionally rich day
- Don’t care about putting on a show
- Want to be fully present with each other (without distractions)
No pressure.
No production.
No big timeline.
Just you… your person… and a whole lotta love.
If that’s your vibe?
Elopements are magic.
Micro-Weddings (20–50 Guests | Big Energy, Smaller Circle)
Now THIS is the sweet spot a lot of couples are falling in love with..
Micro-weddings at The Barn at Drewia Hill:
- Guest count: 20–50 people
- Full ceremony & reception
- All the big wedding feels… just more intentional & intimate.
Think:
- You still walk down the aisle
- You still have your first dance
- You still celebrate HARD with your favorite people
Just without inviting your second cousin’s neighbor’s coworker… IYKYK
BUT… & this is important—
Micro-weddings are NOT automatically budget weddings.
Our friend Shaun said it perfectly:
“Once you are over 10 guests, you are definitely into micro-wedding territory.”
And here’s where couples get surprised:
“Couples who go micro-wedding can easily spend $5,000+… I had 36 people at my wedding and spent $36,000.”
Let that sink in.
Because the truth is:
- You’re still feeding people
- You’re still decorating
- You’re still planning a full event
The difference is NOT complexity… it’s scale.
Micro-weddings are perfect for couples who:
- Want the full wedding experience
- Care deeply about guest connection and intentionality
- Prefer quality over quantity
It’s intimate…
but it still brings that BIG wedding energy.
So… Which One Is Right for You?
Here’s the honest answer:
It has nothing to do with what you think you “should” do…
and everything to do with how you want your day to feel.
Ask yourself:
- Do I want a party… or a moment?
- Do I want structure… or flexibility?
- Do I want a crowd… or a close circle?
Because at the end of the day, your wedding should reflect you—not expectations, not trends, and definitely not somebody else’s opinion.
Why Couples Choose Drewia Hill
Located just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee, The Barn at Drewia Hill is designed to give you options—without overwhelming you.
We specialize in:
- Stress-free planning
- Flexible packages
- In-house services (florals, catering & more)
- Creating an experience that actually feels like YOU
Whether you’re going all out with 150 guests or saying “I do” with just a handful of your favorite people…
We’ve got you.
A Note About Our Collaboration
We are proud to collaborate with many of the talented wedding professionals in the Chattanooga wedding industry! In this blog, Cue the Champagne Wedding Planning was kind enough to help us break down some very helpful information on how to decide which wedding type is actually the one for you. Shaun Teague has been serving couples across the Chattanooga area with an elevated & intentional wedding planning service for many years now. She is DEFINITELY one of the BEST in the local wedding business, in the Chattanooga | North Georgia area.
If you’re looking for a wedding planner who can provide expert guidance, creative direction, and someone who truly understands the intentional side of a beautiful wedding day, Shaun is your girl!
👉 Be sure to check them out here: Cue the Champagne Wedding Planning
📅 Ready to Start Planning?
Whether you’re dreaming of a full-scale celebration, a cozy micro-wedding, or an intimate elopement… The Barn at Drewia Hill is ready to help!
We’d love to show you around here & help you figure out what fits you best, so that you can start planning your PERFECT & affordable Chattanooga wedding day!
📍 The Barn at Drewia Hill
16703 Andy Thomas Road
Sale Creek, TN 37373
Call or text to schedule an appointment: Kris Cobb 423-298-1033
Thanks so much for stopping by our blog! We hope you found this information helpful. We’re passionate about using our blog to shine a light on locally owned wedding venues. These venues often bring a higher level of expertise, service, and dedication to your big day. Plus, with less staff turnover than corporate or investor-owned venues, they’re able to provide a more personal touch. As you plan your wedding, we’d love for you to consider a locally owned venue like ours! Check out this wedding venue map to discover amazing locally owned venues across the country. And a big shout out to all the incredible locally owned wedding venues out there!