Tips on Planning a Wedding Throughout the Pandemic
We thought the year of micro weddings and planning around COVID was left in 2020, but with the Delta variant keeping everybody on their toes, it is key to always be prepared. With the amount of weddings that were moved, cancelled, or adjusted over the last year and a half due to COVID restrictions, we have pretty much mastered planning a wedding during a pandemic. To avoid having to completely adjust or cancel a wedding, here are some things to consider while planning a wedding and navigating the new normal of COVID.
Establish a Health and Safety Plan
When you start planning your wedding, discuss with your vendors and venue about the specific guidelines that need to be followed in order to keep everything safe and to avoid having to readjust later in the planning process and closer to the wedding. It is also important to check the local CDC guidelines and check these regularly as there are constant changes and can range from county to county.
One tip that many wedding planners have discovered is very helpful during this uncertain time is sharing the health and safety guidelines in the invitation and RSVP. This can include what the current CDC guidelines are, the extra precautions that will be taken for the day of the wedding, along with what the plans are in case numbers are to spike again. If the couple is trying to be extra cautious, some are suggesting only asking guests to only RSVP if they are vaccinated and giving a livestream option for those that are not vaccinated.
If a wedding website is being used, offering updates on the website weekly or monthly leading up to the wedding will also keep the guests informed on what is happening and if there are any adjustments that need to happen. Being open and honest about the safety measurements and plans allows for guests to make a decision whether or not they are comfortable going to the wedding.
Keep it Outside
If it is possible to have all of the wedding festivities outside- keep it there! Having the ceremony and reception outside keeps everybody more comfortable and is a safer option to go. With more venues requiring vaccinations in order to be indoors, this also ensures all of the guests can comfortably be at the wedding, and the couple doesn’t have to make tough decisions on who can come.
If the weather is going to be questionable or the vision is to be mostly inside, consider an outdoor tent. This a look that can be beautiful and add an whimsical aspect to the big day and have become a trend in 2020 that isn’t going away and that we are currently loving! One great thing about San Diego and Lavender and Olive venue is that everything can be done outside for a majority of the year!
Social Distancing
Adjusting the layout of the wedding of the wedding is a key way to follow guidelines, keep the risk of getting COVID low, and make guests and vendors feel comfortable. Tables can be placed farther away from each other in order to keep people socially distanced, and trying to keep families and people that live together at the same tables will cut back on risk during the reception.
Seats can also be socially distanced during the ceremony and grouped together by household in order to keep everybody safe. Another option for the ceremony is to have everybody already seated at their tables to avoid a lot of crossover and having to move from one area to another.
The food can also be set up to allow for social distancing in a couple different ways. Food can be prepped and packaged and given to each guest directly at their seat to keep everybody safe. If there is going to be more of a buffet style set up at the wedding, allowing only one table or small groups to get up at a time and having one person serving at each station. This allows everybody to enjoy the reception at a safe distance and cut back on any possible exposure.
Offer Extra Precautions
Offering extra ways to stay safe on the wedding day is another way to be prepared and plan during the times of COVID and especially during the changes during the Delta variant. For guests that will be at the wedding, having extra masks, wipes, and hand sanitizer throughout the wedding will make guests and vendors more comfortable and reminds guests to stay safe throughout the wedding day.
Another great option is to allow live streaming for guests that may not feel comfortable coming, but still want to celebrate, or for those not vaccinated. This is also an extra option to make available if it comes down to making the guest list smaller or venues requiring a small guest list. Everybody wants to celebrate, but is becoming more normal to celebrate in new ways.
Although this is a pricier option, some couples have gone this route and it can be possible to be done at many venues across the nation. Having COVID testing done the day of the wedding at the venue, is great for those that still want to have a larger guest list, but want to make sure everybody is safe and healthy. Hiring nurses to give rapid tests as guests come to the venue for the ceremony is always an option that can be looked into and has been used before.
Reach out to Lavender and Olive to discuss the options we have to navigate through the pandemic while planning a wedding and how we can help to still make this day perfect for you and your guests.
