SOMERVILLE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Dearly Studio in Somerville, Mass. is a small event space for couples looking for “micro weddings,” which are smaller, faster and often cheaper wedding ceremonies. WBZ NewsRadio’s Kim Tunnicliffe spoke with Dearly Studio’s owner to learn more about the company’s take on weddings.

Dearly Studio founder Jusmine Martin is a marketing, events and hospitality professional, and she opened Dearly Studio in June 2023. She converted a 342-square-foot storage space at Bow Market into a micro wedding chapel and small event space.

The company’s website defined their micro wedding services in this way. “We’re talkin’ around ten guests or less, for a 5-10 minute ceremony. We specialize in events lasting anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours.”

For a few hundred dollars up to a couple thousand, couples can have a half-hour to two-hour long ceremony. “It’s inclusive of favors and florals, it’s kind of your ‘everything built-in’” wedding package, Martin explained.

Dearly Studio provides an alternative to a large venue wedding or a city hall ceremony. The small space has a few chairs, a bar and a small decorated stage for guests.

Martin said that after the past couple of years, lots of couples have been shifting away from big wedding ceremonies in favor of smaller events. “Especially coming through the pandemic, people are looking for things that are a little bit smaller and offer more chances to connect.”

Martin explained her role in the wedding proceedings that take place at Dearly Beloved. “I became a Justice of the Peace specifically for this. I don’t [officiate] every wedding, you’re welcome to bring your own officiant or have a friend do it. But included in all packages are my services,” she said.

Speaking on her experience running Dearly Beloved, Martin said, “I’ve enjoyed it so much. I love getting to know the couples and just being a part of their day.”

Martin also shared that this Valentine’s Day, Dearly Studio is letting couples get married for free.

WBZ’s Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports.