Planning a wedding during a global pandemic
So you’re planning a wedding during COVID-19? Or maybe you’ve had to move your wedding or shift your plans. There are so many things to consider. When is it safe? What even is “safe?” Is this still my dream or am I compromising? It’s an extremely hard thing to navigate and the whole industry is being hit so hard. But instead of wallowing in your dress, let’s talk this out.
Postponing
Remember what this is about: First and foremost, you found the one! You are engaged to be married and that alone is so worth celebrating. Let’s not forget what this is about. Not a big event but a marriage and a forever together.
Be flexible: You may not be able to reschedule vendors that are having to reschedule many weddings. It is highly highly unlikely all of your vendors will have your rescheduled date. Most wedding vendors have a “Community Over Contract” philosophy and will give clients a 12–18-month period to re-book and utilize their services. Chances are you will have to shift your vendor plan a little.
Communication: Just be open and honest with your guests. If you don’t have a plan, tell them you don’t have a plan. If you have their emails address do something digitally. It will help keep the spread of the virus down from mailing (the virus can live on surfaces).Your guests will have so much sympathy for your situation and probably just feel for you, whether you have a plan or not. Also, communicate with your vendors ASAP about your decision. This is the most curtesy you can show them.
Grief: Let’s be honest. This feels devastating, and unfair. Grief. It is okay to take some time to be upset. Just don’t sit in it for too long and know you have a significant other available to comfort you!
Marry anyway: You can still get married on your planned date! You can do a small, immediate-family-only thing in your parents’ beautiful backyard, at the beach, at your actual venue, etc. There’s plenty of options around this but don’t feel like you can’t get married/elope and have a wedding. You can save the full-scale reception for next year and put your vendors to use then.
Celebrate small, regardless: If you have post-poned your wedding do something small and special anyway. You and your significant other can have a romantic dinner with great take out and candals or whatever your idea of romance is. Either way, when that “wedding day” comes around, it will make you feel something. You alone are in charge of what you choose to feel.
Planning a wedding scheduled in the next few months
So, this is for the girls that want a short engagement but aren’t sure what the lines are during covid. Now, I can’t draw those lines for you but here are some things to think about.
Smaller Guest list: This is great because you can actually get away with not inviting a lot of people you may not find vital to have that day. Such as old family friends of your parents, or neighbors you are somewhat close to. This will end up being a big savings. You can also put on the invitation no one is allowed if they are high-risk or live out of state. This helps reduce risk and cut cost.
Zoom link: For out of state and high-risk invitees, get them a zoom link! Come on, it’s 2020. Why have we never done this before for weddings? I guarantee this will be the new normal.
Temperature check upon arrival: In order to make guests feel safe and to be socially responsible to the community, every precaution possible should be considered. It would not be hard to have a temperature check set up at the entrance. Just enlist a cousin or a good friend that wouldn’t mind doing this. I think it will make guests feel more comfortable and everyone would be more than understanding.
Buy off the rack wedding dress: Not only is this cost affective, this is a must if you plan to get married in less than 5 months. You can go shopping and have your wedding gown physically in your hands that same day. It is a huge relief knowing you don’t have to worry about ship dates. Not to mention majority of gowns are made in different countries or their materials are sourced from different countries- this is just a safe bet. Alterations are also a quick turnaround so if you buy a dress off the rack, know it will need alterations but that won’t take a ton of time.
No buffet style meal: I feel like this might be a given but wanted to say it anyway in case it’s not. But the less touching, the better. There is so much exposure when there is 75 guests and they all use the same pair of tongs to grab the chicken. Consider doing a food truck or heavy hors d’oeuvres depending on time of day. You could also do something where there is a plastic barrier between server and guest and the servers with gloves, plate the food. I don’t know, but just don’t do a buffet.
Open air venues: Not only beautiful, but the best way to be responsible, and make guests comfortable. Consider gardens, beaches, large rooftops, public parks, big backyards, or large Airbnb’s to name a few.
Plan a big 1-year anniversary honeymoon: If your travel dreams are international or include something that feels risky, just schedule the honeymoon at either a later date or even as a 1-year anniversary getaway. For the wedding night or weeding weekend consider a local bed and breakfast, luxury hotel nearby, or an in-state getaway to a neighboring town. Save the big honeymoon when you can make it all you want it to be.
Social distancing+: Some couples are also implementing a no touch (kiss, shake hands, or hug) policy. Venues may offer portable hand sanitizing stations at entrances and exits. If they aren’t, definitely ask if this is something they would be willing to invest in. In addition, consider hiring event staff or a cleaning crew for the ceremony and reception venue to ensure that restrooms are cleaned and sanitized throughout the event. This includes railings, doors, microphones, glasses, and any other communal objects.
Truth be told this COVID-19 pandemic and information around it is constantly up in the air. Everyone’s wedding planning is going to be affected in a different way. I don’t have all the answers to all the unique and difficult scenarios but what I can say is that everything is figureoutable and I know your day will be perfect for you and your significant other and exactly what it was supposed to be.