The Modern Reno Quickie Wedding: How to Plan a Micro Wedding in 5 Easy Steps
Custom cocktails keep things on theme.
Ahh, Reno and the quickie wedding. For decades, it was quite the tradition around here. Couples drove over the Sierra or across the state from the east, got a license, said “I do,” and were headed home a blissfully (and lawfully) wedded couple by the end of the weekend. We’re happy to report that spirit is alive and well today, but the logistics, options and aesthetics have come a long way. Many couples still want simple and fast, but they want it to feel beautiful and personal at the same time.
Amazing news: that’s the modern micro wedding. It’s small, intentional and a lot less stressful than a 200-guest production. For Bay Area couples who are tired of Bay Area venue prices, Reno is just a few hours up I-80 (and once you’re past Auburn, it’s really a pretty drive!).
Here’s how to plan a Reno micro wedding in five simple steps, courtesy of the pros at Flow’s Boutique Venue.
Can you get married in Reno the same weekend you arrive?
Yes, as long as you’ve planned ahead! Nevada doesn’t require blood tests, and there’s no waiting period. Both partners pick up the license in person, have a ceremony with an authorized officiant and congrats: you’re married. That simplicity is exactly why Reno became famous for weddings in the first place. Just make sure your venue and vendors are booked before you pack the car.
Step 1: Book your venue
The modern quickie Reno weddings: no compromise needed.
A ballroom or banquet hall is overkill for a micro wedding, but you don’t have to celebrate in a chapel (or its parking lot) if you don’t want to. You deserve a space that feels special with 10, 25, or 50 people in it — and we know the perfect place. Flow's Boutique Venue is a beautifully restored 1924 Victorian home in downtown Reno, and it has the kind of character you just can’t build from scratch. Inside, we have a formal dining room, a comfortable sitting room that works beautifully for the bride and a fully equipped kitchen for your food team. Out back is a private courtyard with an outdoor bar and a canopy of string lights, perfect for a cocktail hour or dancing under the lights (and, yes, golden-hour photos).
Our space comfortably accommodates up to 50 guests (and we can squeeze in a few more if your guest list is a tad higher), which is just right for a micro wedding: full enough to feel like a party, small enough that you actually get to talk to everyone.
For micro-weddings, pricing varies depending on your vision: just the ceremony and reception? A full-on wedding weekend with welcome and rehearsal dinners, plus a goodbye brunch included (love that idea!)? We’re happy to give you numbers — we just need a head count and details on what you’re picturing.
Pro tip: Winter weddings are one of the best-kept secrets in Reno! Rates drop significantly from November through March, and a snowy Sierra backdrop is hard to beat. Plus, our space heaters keep the patio toasty.
Planning from the Bay Area? You don’t have to line up every vendor from afar. When you book with Flow’s, we can organize local vendors for you, or give you options that fit your budget.
Step 2: Figure out the officiant
In Nevada, your officiant must be authorized by the state to perform marriages. Washoe County recommends confirming your officiant’s authorization with the state’s online officiant search. You’ll also need at least one witness, because Nevada law requires one witness at the ceremony. If you’re eloping, your photographer or a venue coordinator can often step in.
Don’t have an officiant? At Flow’s, we’re happy to connect you with local officiants we’ve worked with, whether you’re picturing something short-and-sweet or a fully personalized ceremony.
Step 3: Plan the food
This is where micro weddings really shine. With a smaller guest list, you can splurge on a private chef, go family-style with a favorite caterer or keep it relaxed with takeout from a beloved local spot (pizzas and cupcakes? Yessss.). The only catch here is what your venue allows.
Flow’s has an open catering policy. We can recommend trusted caterers we’ve worked with, or you can bring in your own. If you have a talented friend who wants to handle the food as a wedding gift, our gourmet kitchen is yours to use.
Serving alcohol? For private events with an invited guest list, Flow’s has no bartender requirement, no minimum and no corkage fee.
Yours to enjoy!
And about that kitchen...
Our kitchen is one of our favorite things about Flow’s, and there’s a reason it’s so good. Flow’s co-owner, Kristen Giacomini, is an award-winning kitchen designer. She was recognized in Las Vegas as the top designer for the specialty kitchen design category, and that eye for how a kitchen should look and work shows up in every detail. It’s a modern kitchen with ample counter space and storage, and it’s entirely yours to use.
Whether your caterer needs a place to finish and plate, you’re keeping pizzas warm until dinner, or Grandma is simmering sauce all afternoon, there’s room to cook, prep and serve with ease. Come see it on a tour. It tends to win people over.
Step 4: Set the scene with music and decor
The best part about getting married in a space with this much built-in charm: you don’t need much. A 1924 Victorian with a string-lit courtyard doesn’t need to be transformed, just styled. Skip the truckload of centerpieces and put your budget toward a few finishing touches, like ceremony florals, candles and your favorite blooms on the dining table. And because Flow’s was designed by an interior designer, the space is already thoughtfully put together before you add a thing. Tables and chairs are included with every booking (and linens come with half- and full-day rentals), so you’re starting with the basics covered.
Want someone else to handle it? We can connect you with local florists and decorators who have worked in our space before and know exactly how to make it feel magical without overdoing it.
As for the soundtrack, you have options:
A DJ for a full reception with dancing
A solo musician (acoustic guitar, violin or piano) for the ceremony and cocktail hour
A curated playlist on our great speakers, which works really well for smaller gatherings.
We’re happy to recommend local DJs and musicians who do well in an intimate space. We’ve worked with some really good ones!
Step 5: Pick up your Nevada marriage license
With your venue and vendors booked, the license is the easy part. It’s the one thing you’ll need to handle in person once you’re in town.
Where: Both of you must be present to buy the license at the Marriage License Bureau in Reno.
Cost: The license costs $85, and you can get it up to a year before your ceremony, so an earlier trip works too.
What to bring: Each of you needs a government-issued photo ID showing your legal name and date of birth. Your names will appear on the license exactly as they appear on your IDs.
Where it’s valid: A Nevada license can be used anywhere in Nevada, but not in any other state.
Pro tip: Fill out Washoe County’s online application before you leave home, and remember to check the bureau’s current hours. Most couples pick up their license the day before the wedding.
The Reno quickie wedding, reimagined
The original Reno quickie wedding was all about ease: drive up, get married, drive home. The modern micro wedding keeps that spirit, and at Flow’s Boutique Venue, we’ve made keeping it easy our job.
Planning a wedding from a few hours away can feel like a lot of moving pieces. With Flow’s, it doesn't have to be.
One call gets you started. Tell us your date, your guest count and your vision, and we can take it from there.
We can organize your vendors. Officiant, caterer, DJ, decor: we can line up local pros we trust, or give you options that fit your budget.
The setting does the heavy lifting. A restored 1924 Victorian in downtown Reno with a string-lit courtyard and an outdoor bar means less decorating and more celebrating.
Your price is built around you. For micro weddings and wedding weekends, we can create a custom price package based on exactly what you need.
The basics are already covered. Tables and chairs come with every booking, and linens and patio heaters are included with half- and full-day rentals.
Food is as simple as you want it. Bring a caterer, a private chef, pizza, or let Grandma whip up her famous meatballs in our beautiful chef’s kitchen. Trust us, it’s ready for all of it.
No drink hassles. Private events have no bartender requirement, no minimum and no corkage fee.
Booking is straightforward. A 50% deposit holds your date.
All that’s left for you is to pick up your license, show up and say “I do.” It’s simple, fast and completely unforgettable. That’s the new Reno quickie wedding, and Flow’s is thrilled to be part of it.
Book a tour or just get in touch and let’s make this happen!
Frequently asked questions
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Nope! Nevada has no waiting period and no blood test requirement, so you can pick up your license and get married the same day. Just make sure your venue and vendors are booked ahead of time.
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A Washoe County marriage license costs $85. Both partners need to be there in person with a government-issued photo ID.
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Most micro weddings have fewer than 50 guests, and plenty have 20 or fewer. It's all about keeping it small and meaningful.
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Absolutely. Flow's has an open catering policy, so the food is entirely up to you: bring a caterer, a private chef, takeout or home-cooked food. For private events, there's no bartender requirement, no minimum and no corkage fee.
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Yes. Nevada law requires at least one witness at your ceremony.
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Reno is about 220 miles from San Francisco, or roughly 3 to 4 hours by car on I-80, depending on traffic and weather. In winter, check road conditions before heading over Donner Pass.