Now more than ever, brides are turning to experts for advice when it comes to planning a wedding during the pandemic.
You’ve dreamed about this day your whole life. You’ve finally met the one who is your other half but now what? We are in the middle of a pandemic. There seems to be no end in sight. Information seems so distorted and you have no idea who to believe.
Now, more than ever, my couples are turning to the experts for advice. While many decide it is in their best interest to postpone their celebrations, many have also taken a risk to keep their originally scheduled date and proceed anyway. Whatever you choose, there is very helpful information that can help you make your decision a little easier.
The good news is, love is love…pandemic or not. The most important thing at the end of the day is marrying the love of your life.
Let’s discuss how to proceed with your original date and some things you may need to consider when planning your wedding. In Atlanta, there are currently restrictions about how many people can gather at a venue. Find out what the restrictions are in your city before determining your guest list. Many venues can divide their even space in to separate “venues” so you should definitely consult your venue on the guest count as well.
Make sure to provide PPE for your guests; especially if your venue requires it. Many guests many not use PPE or they have forgotten it at home. Having it on hand makes it easy for everyone!
Develop a seating plan that allows for social distancing. Plan to seat families together and decrease the suggested amount of people per table. For instance, if a guest table typically seats 8-10, you may consider seating 4-6 at that same size table.
You also need to be understanding with your guest count. Expect last minute notices from guests about attending the wedding or not. Be flexible and do the best you can with your numbers. But at the same time, be honest with you guests about how many people will be in attendance. They will appreciate your transparency and it will make it much less likely people will cancel in the last minute. Many of my clients have chosen to update their wedding website with this information or even just sent an email.
If you think there is a chance that you many need to cancel/postpone your wedding, talk to your prospective vendors about their Force Majeur policy before booking. Each of your vendors probably has a part in their contract that speaks to “Acts of God” affecting the wedding day festivities. This could include but is not limited to anything from a hurricane, ice storm or even a pandemic. Understanding how your vendors handle this and what financial obligations you have to them once you book is very savvy to understand before booking. If their contract wording isn’t clear, ask for clarification. It’s always helpful to have this in writing as well. Also, ask your vendors how they are handling their current clients that have had to be rescheduled or have had to cancel. This information will help you to decide whether or not your vendor is going to work with you or against you when it comes time for you to make a decision about your wedding day.
Look in to wedding day insurance. Many insurance policies will help you if you need to reschedule your wedding date for any reason. Find a policy that is willing to work with you and help you recover any costs associated with your wedding. They are worth the money if you end up needing the policy!
Lastly, trust the advice of the experts in the medical field and in the wedding industry. At the end of the day, their is no right or wrong choice. You are choosing what is best for you and your guests. Put on a smile and remember that this is your special day so give yourself some grace. This is a first for all of us. Know that you are not alone and there isn’t one clear path. Trust your heart, pray about it and talk to others before making any decisions!
