There is an endless array of issues that brides must take into consideration when planning the biggest event of their lives, and I am sure that many never expected a pandemic to be one of them! Planning a wedding is no easy feat in itself, but add the possibility that someone could get sick at your reception, and you have a recipe for extra worry. The infection numbers are scary, and no end seems to be directly in sight. So what do you do as a bride to prepare for a wedding in the midst of a pandemic!?
First, do not panic
This is completely out of your control! It is easier said than done, but remaining focused on the end goal of the planning process will help to ease your mind. Don't get caught up in the panic of society. Instead, keep thinking beautiful thoughts of your wedding day. As long as you are married 24 hours late, you have nothing to fear! It will be an amazing day for you no matter the external circumstances!
discuss in-depth plans with your vendors
When hiring vendors for your wedding day, one of the best ways to be prepared is to speak with them on their Covid policies. What happens if they have to shut down their businesses? What if you have to reschedule your wedding day? Do you get the chance to reschedule with them at the same cost? Do you get any refund if you are unable to have your ceremony because of the virus? What kind of precautions are they taking and if they are not, are they willing to upon your request? I cannot stress enough, that if your vendor agrees upon any terms in relation to Covid-19, have it in writing!!! Do not assume that any agreement you make is good based on someone's word. Circumstances can change in a millisecond and you do not want to be on the negative end of a bad deal!
get a game plan together
It is always wise to prepare for the worst to happen! In the event that you must postpone your wedding, have a backup plan in place. Know that it may be weeks or months before you are able to have your ceremony/reception, and make sure that your vendors are willing to work with you on moving your date, or if not, have an idea of who you might contact in their stead. I actually coordinated a wedding in 2020 where the bride and groom eloped in the spring and had their celebration in the fall! There are options for you and that is a beautiful thing. Don't wait until you are watching the news and there is a mandated shut down to get a new course of action together.
Think of your guests Pt 1
In normal circumstances, when you send out your invitations you can usually estimate the approximate guest count with some accuracy. There is somewhat of a graph we use to determine RSVPS vs. guest count- You send out 100 invitations, you get back approx. 60 attending RSVPs, you should expect 50 of your RSVPs to actually attend and another approx. 25 who did not RSVP to attend. Most likely, roughly 80-85% of your guests will come to the wedding. (resources: RSVPify.com, womangettingmarried.com) However, those numbers may be skewed in the face of the unpredictable virus. These numbers may be cut tremendously. With that being said, it is vital to keep in close contact with your guests once the invitations are sent out. Be prepared to have a smaller event, and make sure that your contract with your vendors contains a final date for you to make changes without being penalized.
Think of your Guests PT 2
Once you arrive to your wedding date, there will most likely be some precautions you want to install for your guests' comfort and safety. The weddings I have been to during the pandemic were in the summer and fall, when most people stay fairly well minus allergies. You may want to encourage your guests in some tactful shape or form that if they are feeling unwell, it would be much appreciated if they did not attend. Many brides are opting to have live streaming for guests who are unable to come to their wedding. You may even have excess sanitizer on deck and in various areas of your venue. Another great option to insure that there is a controlled environment to reduce spread is having your guests served their meals rather than a buffet style catering. This is a way to cut down on contamination. You can require masks, although, you may have some guests who are unable to wear them or won't wear them, but also for photography reasons or other reasons unlisted, this may not be an option for you. Just know there is nothing wrong with that. Just keep in mind other tactics you can use to keep your guests safe. They are there to celebrate YOU after all!
