Planning Your Wedding During Covid-19
Wedding planning can be stressful. The process has several moving parts, and you need to check off multiple items on your to-do list. However, during the covid-19 crisis, wedding details have become more intricate and the planning process more tedious. This does not mean planning an unforgettable wedding in 2021, or early 2022 is impossible. You can still plan your wedding while still adhering to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines with careful considerations.
Instead of panicking or feeling overwhelmed, use the following tips when planning for your big day.
1. Decide On The Type Of Wedding To Have
Having a small wedding will allow you to create a personalized and intimate experience. Small weddings are also cost-effective, especially for couples who want to make a big purchase after their big day. When planning the wedding, communicate with your planner about the type of wedding you want and how small you want it. Some of the small wedding ideas that you can choose from are:
A micro-wedding. This wedding type has standard features such as videographers, florists, and a DJ, but the guest list needs to be 20 people or fewer. A micro-wedding will give you the experience you have always dreamt of at a lower price because you will cater to a few guests.
A mini- wedding. This small wedding will allow you to have a legal ceremony that is followed by dinner. In a mini-wedding, your guests should not exceed 50 people. Additionally, the wedding dance may be limited to only the couple and their parents.
A minimony. This wedding type is ideal for couples who want to get married during the pandemic but still want to have a large reception afterward. You can hire florists to create a mini bouquet, a cake baker to provide a small wedding cake, and a wedding photographer to capture your wedding.
An elopement. An elopement allows a couple to invite less than ten guests. Before choosing this type of wedding, consider destinations, elopement photography, and days when the courts issue marriage licenses.
A small wedding combined with a virtual wedding. This wedding will allow a smaller number of guests to attend the ceremony in person. The other guests will attend virtually using platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, or FaceTime.
2. Pick a Venue
Figure out the kind of wedding you want before you sample your wedding cake, try on a wedding dress or book your venue. Decide if it will be an indoor or outdoor wedding. Then decide if it will have a modern, classic, rustic, vintage, or romantic setting.
For the outdoor weddings, your reception could in places such as ranches, beaches, wineries, lakes, and stadiums.
If you prefer an indoor ceremony, make sure there is enough standing room so that your guests can adhere to the social distancing guidelines. If you want your guests to be seated, opt for spaced-out small table settings rather than large tables that accommodate many guests. No matter the type of wedding you choose, make sure you follow the covid-19 health and safety guidelines. Those living in California can check California’s response page to find out the set Covid-19 measures.
3. Handle Your Wedding Guest List Appropriately
There is no doubt that COVID-19 has changed the way we look at the guest list. For most weddings in 2021 and 2022, couples will be required to adjust or downsize their guest list. When creating your guest list, first create a plan for different scenarios. For instance, you can make a 30, 50 and, 100-person guest list if the safety guidelines change.
Even though you may want to invite your parents, friends, work colleagues, cousins, and old school friends, when coming up with the list, consider the following:
The elderly and vulnerable guests. Of course, cutting your close granny from your list may seem very harsh. Nonetheless, you will need to safeguard their health. Therefore, it is recommended to work with your wedding planner on measures to protect the vulnerable in your guest list.
Guests that are traveling from overseas. If you have international guests, let them know that you will not hold it against them if they are cannot attend the wedding.
If you had already invited your guests, don’t worry about “uninviting” them. These are unprecedented times, and most of them are likely to understand. You can send them a personalized email, text, or call them to explain the situation. If you had not sent an official invitation, you can reach out to some of the people you would have wanted to invite and explain the change of plans.
4. Communicate With Your Vendors
During this pandemic, most vendors are trying to do what is best for their clients and their businesses. Some vendors may have non-refundable retainers and contracts you will need to sign. These vendors will charge the non-refundable retainer to reserve the date for you. Before signing an agreement with those vendors, ask them the following key questions.
Questions To Ask Your Videographer And Photographer
· Are there costs associated with rescheduling?
· Can the deposit be transferred to a new date?
· What is the postponement or cancellation policy?
· Are you comfortable traveling for our wedding?
Questions To Ask Your Caterer
Do we need to change the menu if we reschedule?
Which health and safety measures will be implemented when presenting and serving food?
Suppose the guest count is lower; will we be charged based on the old or new number?
Will you help us come up with a new menu if we reschedule?
Questions To Ask Your Wedding Venue
How can we contact you in case there is a total lockdown?
Are there fees associated with canceling or postponing the wedding?
Can we reschedule for a different season, and will the charges differ?
Can our balance be charged based on the headcount, in case fewer people attend the ceremony?
Questions To Ask The Florist
Where will the flowers come from?
What will happen if we postpone or cancel the wedding?
Can we use our deposit for a new wedding date?
Can you help us select flowers if the wedding is postponed to a new season?
5. Plan Your Honeymoon
Coronavirus has made travel so uncertain. Therefore, when planning for your honeymoon, expect things to change as you travel between states and countries. You can expect temperature checks at the destinations. If you want to travel internationally, expect longer wait times with immigration and customs.
When planning, ensure that you meet the health and safety guidelines for the country you will be visiting. For some countries, you will need to present a negative covid-19 test.
If you choose domestic travel within your state, you can opt for a drivable destination, then rent a private property you will stay during your honeymoon.
