It’s no question that one of the biggest industries to take a hit in 2020 was the wedding industry. As COVIDnumbers rose, hundreds of couples were faced with a very difficult decision. To continue on with their Big Day as planned, host a compromised reception with only a few close friends and family, or to postpone their nuptials for a safer time.
Luckily, the end is in sight and there may be a day in the distant future when everyone is having a great time at a large wedding sans masks and hand sanitizer. Unfortunately, that time hasn’t come yet and we might be looking at another year or so of protection from disease.
However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t still celebrate love in the age of the pandemic. But it does mean that we should all (and I mean all), of us should be taking extreme precautions in order to celebrate safely. If even one person is unsafe, then everyone has the potential to be unsafe. No matter the category that you fall into, there are guidelines to follow to ensure that everyone is having fun and staying safe.
Wedding Planners
A huge part of a wedding planner’s job is to stay informed and up to date on state restrictions and guidelines. They’ll be an excellent reference for receiving up to date information and tips for what to expect on your wedding day. It’s built into their job description to know standard procedures like the back of their hand. It is in their best interest, from a liability standpoint.
Wedding planners can also be used as guides to the guests on the day of. It’s important to have a “covid patrol” of sorts, and a wedding planner is a perfect person to fill that role. Since it’s their job to ensure that your Big Day runs as smoothly as possible, they have a responsibility to make sure that each guest is adhering to the policies put in place. And wedding planners won’t have any issue telling Aunt Karen to wear her mask whenever she’s not eating.
The Couple
Communication is key when it comes to having a COVID-friendly wedding. And since everyone is gathering for this celebration because of said couple, they should be the ones continually updating everyone on the policies put in place. It’s important to over-communicate with your guests and vendors to ensure that everyone is on the same page. What’s more, if any guests or vendors are not willing to abide by the rules you have put in place, make it known that they will be removed from the event. This is to ensure everyone’s safety and to make sure that everyone can enjoy themselves. Do some research on your vendors beforehand, and make sure that their personal policies and views on the pandemic perfectly align with yours. A back and forth on what is acceptable is not worth the headache.
The Guests
Each and every guest is responsible for their own safety at the wedding. If you’re a guest attending a wedding during these uncertain times, it’s crucial to know exactly how to handle the protocol. Oftentimes, clear instructions for the wedding day will be laid out on the couple’s wedding website. But if you’re ever unclear about COVID guidelines during the wedding, do not hesitate to send an email to the couple. Just like you have a duty to abide by the rules, they have a duty to keep their guests informed.
And most importantly, respect the decisions they make. Yeah, it might not be fun dancing with a mask on, but if it’s what makes the couple comfortable enough to enjoy their Big Day, it is not something that should be up for debate.
At the end of the day, if you are dead set on having your dream wedding, the best way to make that happen is to wait out the pandemic. If you are willing to be more flexible, consider a heavily compromised wedding. Limit your guest list, choose an outdoor venue, try to keep a distance from others as often as possible, and stock each table with hand sanitizer and masks.
However let's stay positive and stay optimistic for the future as regulations loosen and more of our communities become vaccinated!
