LOS ANGELES – A growing number of couples are saying “I do” to pop-up weddings — small-scale, all-inclusive ceremonies designed to cut costs and stress without sacrificing the moment.
For Wisconsin couple Bethany and Sean Smalley, the choice came down to priorities. Bethany had a clear vision: look good, have a beautiful backdrop, keep the guest list minimal, and above all, keep it stress-free.
“I wanted to look good, have a good background, and be with like minimal people, and no stress,” Bethany said.
Their San Diego ceremony checked every box — planned just six weeks in advance through Simply Eloped, a full-service wedding company that specializes in pop-up packages.
What is a pop-up wedding?
Pop-up weddings are small-scale, all-inclusive ceremonies where professionals handle every detail — from the officiant and makeup artist to the photographer. The “pop-up” name refers to the venues: beaches, parks, and everyday locations transformed into wedding destinations for just one day.
Wedding officiant Alan Katz offers similar packages in Los Angeles.
“They just tell us where they want to get married, give us the date and time, we get all the permits, the insurance, we set up the chairs, the arch, boom, they walk down the aisle, they’re married,” Katz said. “They don’t have to do a thing.”
The cost difference is striking
The price gap between a traditional wedding and a pop-up ceremony is hard to ignore. According to wedding planning site The Knot, the average traditional wedding costs $34,200. The average pop-up or micro-wedding maxes out at $5,000.
For Sean Smalley, that math was an easy call.
“I wasn’t looking to go into years of debt for, you know, a few hours on a special day,” he said.
The Smalleys chose a location and package that fit their budget, with only family in attendance.
A shift in what couples want
More couples are trading the extravagant to-do for a custom celebration focused on the marriage itself — not the event surrounding it. A survey by Shane Co. found that 14 percent of newlyweds say they were too stressed to fully enjoy their big day.
For the Smalleys, putting love — not logistics — at the center of their wedding made all the difference. Looking back, Sean has no regrets.
“Not yet!” he laughed.