A chef and influencer is urging people to ditch all the theatrics and have a 'micro-wedding,' a term popularized on TikTok for ceremonies of less than 50 guests

• A chef and TikTok influencer went viral this week selling people on the idea of a "micro-wedding."
• Micro-weddings are an alternative to elaborate traditional wedding receptions, which can be costly.
• The term and concept have become a popular trend on the app.

A chef and TikTok influencer went viral this week with a video urging people to throw "micro-weddings," an alternative to all the theatrics, extravagance, and costs that might come with a large traditional marriage ceremony. These smaller gatherings, constituted of 50 guests or less, have become a popular concept on TikTok.

Chef Theo Moise's video singing the praises of micro-weddings has received over 1.1 million views. In the clip, she attempts to convince viewers by showing off a deluxe food spread that can be available to guests right after the ceremony — a marketable selling point for her own catering business. 

"This beautiful charcuterie spread is accompanied by a full bar and beverage station," Chef Moise said, as the camera pans over a long table with a delectable spread of cheeses, fruits, and crackers. She noted that the spread could be customized for dietary restrictions and feeds up to 50 guests.

"Ditch the large wedding fiasco, enjoy a more intimate gathering with delicious food!" she wrote in the description.

The comment section was showered with positive remarks, as many people said they were immediately "sold" on the idea.

"As soon as you said micro-wedding I was already convinced," one viewer wrote. "Me, single, already planning my micro wedding catered by chef moise," another person joked.

In another video, Moise took viewers behind-the-scenes setting up the food spread at the ceremony. She also showed off a full hot bar, complete with main entrees and sides, that will also be available to guests.

Micro-weddings have become a popular concept on TikTok over the last year. In 2022, there were several videos on the subject with tens of thousands of views, and a hashtag for the subgenre has over 110 million cumulative views.

In one video, a travel photographer gave a guided tour of a micro-wedding she was hired for that apparently included only 24 of the bride and groom's friends and family. In another video, a creator encouraged people to downsize even further with a wedding reception of 10-15 people. They argued it would be more enjoyable to have a meal with intimate friends over breaking the bank for a "mediocre meal with 100-250 people" — half of whom you may not know well.

There are also numerous videos wherein TikTokers break down how much they spent and saved on their smaller ceremonies. One creator, @bymeghang, claimed in an August 2022 TikTok that she saved "$60,000 or more" by downsizing.