This pandemic knocked the world on its butt. Basically overnight everything changed. Tons of stuff was outright cancelled or postponed to a TBD date. This included tons of couples weddings. I personally had 2 weddings cancel, 3 postpone indefinitely and countless others chose not to move forward with planning their weddings. I’ll be honest, it broke my heart. My couples plan for months, years even - saving money, picking out the details and making all the plans - and this all came to a screeching halt.
We’ve adjusted to a during pandemic “normal” and now we have an idea as to what steps we need to take to plan a wedding during Covid (and what we steps we need to not take).
Do keep planning
Things may not look like they once did (for a little while), but you need to keep planning. Vendors will have less time on their schedules for new clients as they navigate through all the rescheduled events. And check out virtual wedding shows in your area. Don’t know what a virtual wedding show is - check out this post “What is a Virtual Wedding Show”?.
Do hire a planner
I know this may not be in your budget, but please look at hiring a coordinator, wedding manager or planner. They are keeping track of all the executive orders, rules and mandates and can advise you the best course of action to take. They also know how to work out a physically distanced ceremony and reception, how to implement the safety measures and can advise you on options to keep your family, friends, guests and vendors safe.
Do read your contracts and ask questions about postponement policies
This one is important. Review each and every contract (especially if you don’t have a planner). Take a super close look at the postponement and cancellation policies. If something is unclear or doesn’t seem to be covered ask questions before you sign.
Be flexible
This one will be hard, because it seems that mandates regarding weddings change from week to week, heck even day to day. But, being flexible will enable you to roll with those changes versus being sidelined by them and unable to proceed with planning.
Don’t send out save the dates
Not knowing what the future holds, don’t send out save the dates. Your family and friends will stress about needing to make a long term decision. You’ll stress because you asked people to come and now have to go back and tell them that you can’t accommodate them. If you still want to let people know about your wedding add it to your wedding website or your social media platforms.
Don’t break the local mandates, rules and regulations
Even if your venue says your wedding is a private event and the rules don’t apply to you, don’t break the rules, orders or mandates for your area. All it takes is one different interpretation of those mandates and your wedding could be closed down, fined or labeled a super-spreader event.
Don’t give up on your dream
While things may look different, don’t give up on your dream - marrying your best friend, with your closest, most important family and friends surrounding you, wearing a killer outfit, having an amazing meal with the most gorgeous pictures and video to look at can still be had. Go after it.
You’ve got this! I have confidence in you and your vendors to make your wedding everything you dreamed and you’ll have an amazing story to share over drinks :)