Wedding Planning Tips During COVID
If you are anything like me, the last six months have been a total whirlwind! Somedays, it has been difficult to know what day it is or to know when was the last time I’ve worn something other than yoga pants. I have needed to remind myself daily of the importance of self-care. To take a moment to cherish the little things. To not freak out about all of the aspects of my life that I cannot control right now. Things that have helped me refocus and gain perspective: a walk with my (new quarantine) puppy, a cup of coffee, a show that makes me laugh, and a glass of wine.
That being said, these are trying times. It is very understandable and very human to have moments where we want to just completely lose it. And I think from time to time, we should. So, when I think about a couple trying to plan the happiest day of their lives, my heart goes out to you. Planning a wedding is difficult enough, period. Sans pandemic. It would be easy for that couple to feel absolute panic. But take a deep breath. Like seriously, take a breath and remember that your wedding day is first and foremost about you and your partner; the commitment of forever that you are making to each other. So, try to smile, and hopefully these planning tips take away some of your angst, and if they don’t there is always that glass of wine ;)
Change your vision. Don’t cancel your vision, but make some alterations. Getting married during a pandemic most likely means your wedding won’t be 100 percent what you thought, but don’t throw the dream out the window.
Must Haves. When you initially envisioned your special day, what were your non-negotiables? Was it the dress, the white hydrangeas, the rustic farm venue? Your pug being the ringbearer? A specialty cocktail? Decide on what you can’t live without and make those a priority (as long as they don’t involve 500 guests). Stay positive and take joy in the parts of your day that won’t be changed because of COVID.
The Guest List: Keep in mind that your guest list will be reduced( if you were planning on having a larger wedding). Decide on who is most important in your life. Immediate family members, and your closest friends? Make the word intimate part of your wedding vocabulary when deciding who is invited and who isn’t. The plus side of this is you don’t have to invite those relatives you don’t really know/like (and you don’t have to feel guilty about it).
Personalization: It totally stinks not being able to have everyone you are close to at your wedding, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be part of your special day. Consider sending out a “Wish You Were Here” video, and having guests send videos of well wishes to you. Maybe a personalized gift to those who don’t make the invite list.
Keep it Clean and Classy: Hand sanitizer stations for your guests by the bathroom? Mini hand sanitizer bottles at each table? White gloves for the bride? Think back to the Grace Kelly, Rita Hayworth, and Audrey Hepburn era and make it a fashion statement. Those women are still timeless. Make it part of your look.
Meal Planning: In terms of meal options consider switching to a sit down plated meal instead of a buffet, and pre-plated hors d'oeuvres at each individual place-setting. This will limit the amount of people close to your guests’ food.
Get Up and Dance: Dancing does not have to be off the table. Consider floor markings to keep people six feet apart. Maybe floor picture stickers of the couple, your initials, or stickers of the all the romantic places you’ve been together. Get creative with it. During special dances like “First Dance”, “Bride and Father”, etc. announce ahead of time for people to spread out around the dance floor instead of congregating.
Receiving Line: While one of the major parts of a wedding may be a receiving line, hugging everyone you know and love, consider giving out masks with your monogram embroidered (so you can still hug). And if that isn’t your thing, consider alternate ways to show intimacy when walking around to say hello to your guests. Think lots of waving/fist bumps/kisses blown. Great conversations and moments can still be had from six feet away.
Change your mindset. So many people’s weddings and lives have been turned upside down. Remind yourself to enjoy the benefits of a smaller wedding, and actually getting to talk to people, actually getting to enjoy your meal instead of inhaling it in a few minutes because you are too busy to enjoy. Just take in the magical little moments.
This is your day: Remember you got this. COVID may be turning the world upside down, but you can still have a perfect, intimate wedding that showcases the love you and your partner have.
