The wedding and event industry was one of many hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Events and gatherings are slowly starting to return. However, below are a few suggestions on how to move forward safely as you plan your wedding.
Select a Venue with Outdoor Space – The pandemic is changing day by day and week to week. Though 2022 seems far off, it’s hard to know exactly what the situation will be like in any season. Therefore, I recommend planning accordingly and selecting a venue with some sort of outdoor space. While your main plan can still be to have a ceremony indoors (ideally with windows open for ventilation), it will be important to also have some outdoor space to social distance and to help guests feel comfortable (e.g. outdoor cocktail hour, etc.).
Limit the Guest List – Couples often struggle with narrowing down a guest list even in the best of times. However, COVID-19 made couples really double think many things, including how big of a wedding they want. In today’s environment, people are more understanding than ever on the need to keep numbers small and limit guests. Thus, I recommend keeping a highly refined invite list. It will help you pivot more easily if venue capacity requirements change, and it ultimately helps manage the budget.
Include COVID-19 Protocols – Regardless of how things shake out, people are more conscious than ever of cleanliness and sanitation standards. To that end, you can still incorporate safety measures to minimize the spread of any virus. Consider plated meals vs. family style, and if you have a buffet, add serving staff so that guests don’t have to touch the serving utensils. You can also consider giving guests wristbands upon entry with a red/yellow/green color to indicate their comfort level (e.g. stay 6 feet apart/do not touch, ok with fist bumps, ok with hugs). That eliminates some of the awkwardness as everyone adapts differently to the new normal.
Best wishes as you plan your celebration!