Nebraska Micro Wedding Guide
Micro weddings allow for a more personal, intimate experience. Here’s what you need to know to plan yours here in Nebraska!
Nebraska Micro Wedding Guide
There’s something really special about keeping a wedding small. Planning a micro wedding in Nebraska gives you the chance to slow things down, focus on the people who matter most, and actually enjoy every part of the day. You can opt for a cozy barn celebration or a quiet outdoor ceremony with views of the beautiful Nebraska landscape, but either way, a smaller guest list allows for a much more personal experience. So if you want a wedding day that feels meaningful and low-stress, a micro wedding would be ideal.
Benefits of Planning a Micro Wedding
One of the biggest perks of planning a micro wedding is how much more relaxed it feels. When you’re not juggling 200+ guests, a massive timeline, and a million moving pieces, you actually get to be present. You can have real conversations with your guests, soak in the little moments, and enjoy the day instead of feeling like you’re rushing from table to table.
Another huge benefit is the flexibility. With a smaller guest list, you can choose venues that wouldn’t normally work for a big wedding, like cozy restaurants, boutique spaces, private estates, or even a scenic outdoor spot. You can also be more intentional with your budget. Instead of stretching it thin across a large crowd, you can invest in the details that matter most to you, whether that’s incredible food, a dream photographer, upgraded florals, or a unique experience for your guests.
Micro weddings also tend to feel more personal. You can write handwritten notes to each guest, customize the ceremony in a deeper way, and really design the day around your story instead of tradition or expectations. It gives you the freedom to do things differently without as much outside pressure. At the end of the day, it’s less about putting on a big production and more about creating a meaningful experience. And honestly, that shift in focus is what makes micro weddings feel so special.
Where to Plan a Micro Wedding in Nebraska
Nebraska has so many great spots for a micro wedding, from cozy downtown venues in Omaha or Lincoln to quiet outdoor settings with wide-open prairie views. Here are a few of my favorites you can consider!
Cafe Postale
Café Postale in Omaha is such a great option for a micro wedding if you want something that feels intimate but still really beautiful. The space has exposed brick, historic details, and tons of character, so you don’t have to do much to make it feel special. It’s cozy without being cramped, which makes it perfect for a smaller guest list, and the patio space adds a nice indoor-outdoor flow. Plus, being right near the Old Market means you’ve got fun photo spots and great places to continue the celebration just steps away.
Bohemian Gardens
The Bohemian Gardens feels like you’re stepping into a hidden oasis and it has the perfect mix of an elegant interior and a luscious outdoor garden. The 5,000 square-foot courtyard is lined with greenery and market lights making it feel super romantic, and is ideal for a cocktail hour or reception outdoors. There are also rooms indoors for getting ready with your wedding party to make things convenient. It has a capacity for 100-120 guests, making it perfect for those special, intimate events. There are so many cozy, hidden spots for photos around the property, giving you plenty of variety in your gallery.
Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel
The Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel in Omaha has both the beautiful historic character, as well as a modern vibe, making it such a perfect place for a micro wedding. The hotel’s 1920s architecture makes it feel timeless and elegant, while the updated interiors give it a fresh, modern feel. It is located in the Blackstone District, which means it is surrounded by fun restaurants, bars, and plenty of beautiful backdrops that you could use for photos. This makes it ideal for exploring either before or after your wedding!
You have multiple spaces to choose from here, the top floor historic Schimmel Ballroom or the Gold Coast Ballroom. The Schimmel is gorgeous with it’s original vaulted barrel ceilings, original hardwood floors, windows letting in tons of natural light, as well as a beautiful private rooftop garden. The Gold Coast also has plenty of natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows, french doors that lead out to a private terrace, and an event lawn that is ideal for a cocktail hour or reception under the stars. To make things more convenient, you and your guests can also stay right on the property in one of the many beautiful rooms. This venue creates such an elevated, elegant vibe for a micro wedding!
Joslyn Castle
Joslyn Castle in Omaha is a beautiful historic gem, with its grand 1903 architecture, stunning gardens, and all of the elegant details. The mansion’s hand-carved woodwork, stained glass, and grand staircase make it feel romantic and luxurious, and the grounds are perfect for ceremonies under the trees. There are many different spaces you can take advantage of on the property for your event, and you’re sure to have a variety of backdrops to use for photos. This is such a unique venue that makes you feel as if you’ve been transported to a castle in Europe, rather than a midwest mansion!
Lauritzen Gardens
Lauritzen Gardens is one of the most dreamy venues in Omaha! There’s so much to love about the property, with a gorgeous rose garden, perfectly manicured lawns, and just stunning blooms everywhere you look. The plantlife here creates such an effortless backdrop for photos, and being such a large property, there’s so many different spots to choose from for portraits that are all equally gorgeous! Just keep in mind, this is a public space, so typically weddings are done here in the evening after public hours end. This venue is a favorite of mine in the Omaha area!
Joslyn Art Museum
Celebrating at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha means your wedding gets a taste of incredible art, as well as unique architecture, creating a pretty magical atmosphere. This venue feels so grand, with it’s marble staircases, breathtaking atriums, and of course the views of the sculpture gardens. This space doesn’t need much in the form of decor as it’s so gorgeously styled already! But you can easily add in little details to customize it to your liking. The elegance here comes off so beautifully in photos, and it gives a perfect, modern vibe.
An Airbnb
Choosing an Airbnb for a micro wedding in Nebraska can make the whole day feel more relaxed and personal right from the start. Instead of a traditional venue, you get a space that feels lived-in and cozy, whether that’s a modern home in Omaha, a quiet cabin near a state park, or a farmhouse out in the countryside with wide open views. It gives you flexibility with your timeline, more privacy, and the chance to really make the space your own for the day. For a smaller guest list, it can feel less like an event and more like an intentional gathering with your favorite people.
Your favorite local restaurant
Having a smaller guest count again gives you a lot more flexibility, which means you can consider smaller spaces like one of your favorite restaurants! Whether it has a beautiful garden patio or maybe a cozy wine cellar, you can take advantage of a smaller private space and enjoy delicious food made right on site.
Nebraska Wedding Photographer
Hey! I’m Madison, a destination wedding photographer based in Nebraska. Nebraska is filled with so many unique micro wedding venues, whether it’s a lush garden or a grand mansion. There’s something here for everyone! If you’re looking for a Nebraska wedding photographer, I’d love to help plan your day!