Planning a wedding can be stressful. During a pandemic I have no idea? I have had ALL of the questions asked to me since March.
- Do I have to cut my guest list?
- Should I postpone?
- Can it be inside or should I move outside?
- My venue has their own rules to follow but my family does not agree?
- Some of my vendors are not willing to refund or offer credit for a future date what do I do?
- What ideas have you seen or implemented to help your brides get married safely?
So here are my answers to these questions and maybe a bit more advice.
- Do I have to cut my guest list?
- That is completely at your venues discretion. Venues as of right now are at 50% capacity as long as all social distancing requirements are met. Each venue has their own rules and guidelines. Temp checks at the door, extra hand wash stations, mask requirements, new staff regulations and safety captains are at many of them to ensure you and your guests safety. They just want to be open.
- Should I postpone?
- That is completely up to you and your family. We are currently 6 months in this pandemic and every day is changing and we are learning new details. Trust your gut. IF you feel that postponing is the best (especially with a lot of out of town guests) then do it. No one will think anything bad about you thinking of others safety first.
- There are also compromises that can be done and I have been lucky enough to help with a few of them this summer. Have a small, intimate family ceremony. It will mean so much and be so special. IF you want the big wedding, plan a reception next year with a vow renewal, same dress and everything you had originally planned. Show your original video, pictures with a heartfelt speech thanking everyone for understanding the craziness of 2020!
- Can it be inside or should I move outside?
- Again, this is completely up to you. I have seen indoor ceremonies with an invite list of 170 have 90 RSVPs. While outdoor seem to see more turnout. I have also had brides max out the 50% capacity limit inside and have a 20 person intimate ceremony outside under a tent. I agree with the CDC that outside is safer for seating and larger gatherings. Restaurants are using tents, businesses are for break rooms, and weddings can too!
- My venue has their own rules to follow but my family does not agree?
- If you have religious or other beliefs that becomes a conflict with your venue you need to rethink and reconsider plans. If you are not allowed a refund see is they will allow the deposit to be used for a shower, rehearsal dinner or for someone else in your family. Most places are understanding and will work with you in some way.
- Some of my vendors are not willing to refund or offer credit for a future date what do I do?
- This is a hard one. These vendors have had that day marked off on the calendar for however long. They have planned on this income and then all of a sudden it was completely shut down due to the pandemic. Please be patient and understand that without notice our entire lives have been put on hold and no one knows what to do or how to act. Every vendor will be different. Some will be willing to postpone, some will reschedule, some will hold you to the contract, some will just disappear because this has caused them to go out of business.
- What ideas have you seen or implemented to help your brides get married safely?
- Moving outdoors from inside is a big one along with cutting down the invite list.
- postponing if it is right for the couple
- seating fewer people at each table, having different size tables to accommodate households, assigning all seating
- releasing tables to go to the served buffet or having a served meal
- masks being required when up from the table
The scary thing is that what if they don’t follow the guidelines. Ask your team of vendors that is there that night (planner or service staff) if they will implement the guidelines that you all have created. Have a team that you trust and can confide in to make sure everything is clean and ready for all of your guests.
Remember to have fun and enjoy! This is your day!
This bride even had a mask made from her dress!!!
What a way to match and then wear your dress over and over again!!!