The thought that you might not be able to celebrate your nuptials with hugs of congratulations from your loved ones or the ability to pull out the dance moves with your friends at the wedding reception would have never crossed the minds of wedding couples in 2019. But today, we are in a different world. A world that has to adapt because let's face it, love continues no matter the obstacles, and thus, so do weddings. Whether your 2020 wedding has been postponed or you're newly engaged and planning, there are things that can ensure the health and safety of you and your wedding guests while still hosting a wedding during a pandemic. All social gatherings need to adhere to some basic protocols - whether you are planning a local wedding at an indoor banquet facility or outdoors in a backyard or public space or traveling to your favorite destination wedding paradise. Following these tips in planning a wedding in 2021 will be sure to aid you in a successful, and safe, event.
Photo: @jaredladiaweddings
ADHERE TO THE LOCAL LAW
Throughout the pandemic, we've seen different countries, states, provinces and municipalities not only make recommendations on how to be socially responsible when gathering as a group but they have also laid down the law when it comes to events. It's important to stay on top of your local area's rules and regulations as it relates to social gatherings indoors and outdoors as they are ever changing. What are the restrictions on number of people in the group? What are the restrictions with food service? Are face masks required only indoors or also in outdoor spaces?
FORCED MAJEURE CLAUSE
For your financial protection, ensure that there is a clause in the Contract with your venue and vendors that if "the scope of the event is not met" that you get a full refund or option to postpone. This means that if you wanted dancing on the night of your wedding but the local law says otherwise after the Contract is signed, you can cancel or postpone because your dream wedding has been affected.
PRE-SCREENING
At the least it is recommended to assign a greeter at the entrance to your wedding event who will also take a health questionnaire and temperature scan of each guest upon arrival. A further option to ensure the health and safety of all of your guests is to have them do a Covid-19 test before attending. Many public and private tests are available in different areas. We're also now seeing at some overseas conferences and events they have rapid testing available right at check-in, with results in less than 5-minutes!
LIVESTREAM AND STREAMLINED GUEST LIST
When starting the planning process pre-2020 you may have wanted everyone that you both know under one roof to celebrate this joyous occasion but in 2021 and pre-vaccines, you may have to tone this down a little. Ensure the essential guest list is no more than the maximum allowed in your jurisdiction. In some cases it has been set at a maximum of 10 people gathering indoors or 50 people outdoors. Know your limit but also know that this can change over time. For the assurance of your guests, you can also detail in the wedding invitations that all health and safety protocols will be adhered to including the restrictions on the number of guests on the date of the wedding. This potentially means that not all invited guests may be able to attend after-all but that you will continue to keep them updated. You may also want to be intentional with who you don't invite such as the elderly or anyone with compromised immune systems, pre-existing medical conditions or who feels uneasy to travel to attend. Instead, offer these loved ones the opportunity to witness the exchanging of the vows virtually over livestream. Most venues now have this option or you can assign some guests to make this available using their smart-phones. There are many livestream options with Zoom, Facebook Live, Instagram Live, Periscope, YouNow, YouTube Live, Google Live Chat and more.
UNDER NO OBLIGATION
Let's face it. We all know someone who seems to have been self-isolating since March 2020 and continues to order online groceries and who wears full PPE when they step out of their home. We also know that someone who continues to live life to their fullest with zero thought of the pandemic. It's important to recognize that the comfort levels during Covid-19 is a very wide spectrum and nobody should feel obligated to attend your wedding in person, unlike traditional weddings. It's important to ensure that everybody who is attending your wedding feels comfortable in being there. If they currently see everyone and everything as giant germs, they probably shouldn't go.
MASK UP
Not only have face masks been proven to help reduce the spread of the virus and be required by law, they can also be quit fashionable. Most seamstresses can create some custom-matching face masks to the wedding party's attire easily. And why not send some face masks in your wedding invitation or have as your wedding favors. It is predicted that we'll all continue to need face masks into 2021 and even when the vaccine arrives. Local face mask companies have popped up everywhere offering soft, breathable, reusable, affordable and customizable face masks. Check out www.caspermasks.com who can fully customize your wedding face masks for under $10 each.
GLAMMED UP SANITIZATION STATIONS
Who says sanitization stations have to be drab? Incorporate them into the wedding decor set-up plans by having extra flowers on order or other decorations. Be sure that you have an abundance of hand sanitizer stations on-hand throughout the ceremony and reception and that they are easily accessible by all.
SPREAD IT OUT (Not the Virus)
Although many household family members are in close contact with each other every day, the wedding trend during the pandemic is still to have the ceremony chairs socially distanced by 6 feet apart each. Do away with bench or other shared seating for 2021. This is even more important at the wedding reception since this is often held indoors and when face masks need to come off to eat. When circle tables used to fit 8 people, reduce this down to 4. Instead of the traditional mixing of relatives and friends, perhaps keep the table assignments to those living in the same households only. For your single guests, ask them who they'd feel most comfortable in sharing a table with. Aside from the wedding couple, the party at the head table should also be socially distanced to set that example to the rest of your guests.
CONTACTLESS FOOD
The trend with all-inclusive resorts and banquet facilities now is to offer a meal that has the lowest number of contact with people. For this reason, you'd think that our beloved buffets are no longer but this is on the contrary. You can still offer a buffet-style dinner but they can now be 'assisted buffets' meaning that an employee dishes out the food that each guest prefers, instead of the guests diving in themselves. But the best way to reduce traffic is still to have a sit-down served plated dinner.
TO DANCE OR NOT TO DANCE
We're seeing a significant reduction in dancing at weddings during the pandemic. But, the life of the parties continue to want to express themselves and there are options to bust a move safely. Why not put down tape on the dance floor in socially distanced circles, squares or designer octagons so individuals or household families can dance together while maintaining distance from one another? Also ensure that you 'biggy-size' the dance floor area so there isn't crowding or act as a deterrent to others who want to participate. When having the father-daughter, son-mother dance, ensure they are in your bubble and wear your face masks for their protection and yours. You may have had a negative test before the event but you've probably been exposed to more people than you realize in the days just prior to the wedding. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Alternatively, instead of dancing, consider other non-traditional entertainment or games that is fun and interactive for the whole group.
SHORT BUT SWEET
Consider shortening the wedding day to reduce exposure time with one another. When the drinking starts and some guests start to quietly sneak away, this might be the time to shut down the whole party. Not only does alcohol reduce inhibitions and increase slobbery drunkeness of affection between friends, it also reduces the immune system. An 11:00 pm curfew for example, would not only reduce the cost of the venue and embarrassing late wedding stories, it would ensure that there has still been enough time to eat, do speeches, cut the cake and dance.
SWEET BUT SHORT
You don't have to have a 10-tier cake on display during pandemic days. You're off the hook on this one this year. Consider a small, intimate cake on display and for use during the cake cutting ceremony while you have the guests portions safely stored in the kitchen. Or if your heart is set, then bring out the tiers only when it's time for cutting. That'll also offer that wow factor!
DESTINATION WEDDINGS
Many destination weddings are also continuing as planned. With many destinations and resorts re-opened since their closures in the Spring of 2020, they are ready and waiting, and exceptionally well sanitized! Not only did IATA advise that the chances of catching Covid-19 while on a plane is one in 41 million, the transportation companies and resorts are strictly adhering to the health and safety protocols, some say, better than found locally in some cases. Like a local wedding, it's important to note that not everyone can attend your destination wedding. You'll have a reduced group size but you'll also have the opportunity to reconnect closer with loved ones over a weekend or a week, rather than just one day. And let's admit it, we all need a little more reconnection since isolating from our loved ones.
CHANGE THE TRADITIONS
To help limit congestion, consider not tossing the garter and bouquet out onto the dance floor. Not only will this save your guests on the bruises, it'll also save them on sharing their competitive sweat with one another. Perhaps the bouquet can be given to the most deserving bachelorette at the party or someone you know will brighten up their isolation days. Also consider posting a glammed up sign at the front of the receiving line that says something like, "air hugs preferred." This will set the tone and reduce the contact between yourselves and your guests, but still allows you to thank each any every one for attending. You can also scrap this tradition and instead, ensure that you walk around to each table to express your gratitude.
Laurie Keith founded Romantic Planet Vacations in 2004 and is both a certified destination wedding travel specialist and wedding planner. She has served over 1,000 destination wedding couples over the years and counting.
