Tips for Wedding Planning During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Is planning a wedding during a global pandemic less than ideal? Of course it is, but don't let the coronavirus steal the joy and reasoning of WHY you're getting married in the first place! It’s safe to say that, unfortunately, we’ll be living in a COVID-19 world for the rest of 2020 and most likely a good part of 2021. Whether you're planning your wedding for this year or next, I'm sharing a few tips for how to make it through without (too much extra) added stress!

Follow State Safety Guidelines for Events

Remember the phrase we’re taught from a young age, “Safety First!”. Above all, please remember to be safe not only for yourselves but for your loved ones and vendors as well! Plan the layout of your reception so social distancing measures can take place. Many states, if not all, have issued safety guidelines for rules when it comes to any kind of social gathering. As of the day this blog post went live (Wednesday, August 19, 2020), outdoor weddings can have up to 100 people, while indoor weddings can have up to 25 people. However, this doesn’t mean you can have that number of guests, as the gathering limits must include any vendors and staff that will be on-site during your wedding (think about your wedding planner and their team, photographers, videographers, caterers, venue staff, etc).
You can stay up to date with Connecticut’s gathering rules at this link.

Share Ground Rules & Safety Tips with Your Guests (and Make it Fun!)

Share your safety expectations with your guests BEFORE and ON your wedding day. Yes, the pandemic has certainly been a bit of a downer, but don’t let it crush the joy of your celebration! I’ve seen a lot of creative ways people are sharing safety tips with their guests that ensure everyone follows the rules.

Communication is key, so be sure to share your safety expectations with guests both before your wedding day arrives as well as on the day itself. Before your wedding day, consider having your ground rules and safety tips printed on an insert that you can include with your wedding invite when you mail them out. On your wedding day, you can have them printed once again on the ceremony program and menu that will be at each guest’s seat. You can also have a calligrapher create signage to display throughout different parts of your day; don’t hesitate to get creative with the wording and overall message! If you’ll be having an emcee, you could ask them to make an announcement about your safety wishes, or you could do it yourself when you give a toast at the beginning of your reception. I’ve also seen “sanitation stations” at a few weddings. These are beautifully decorated tables with florals, decor, and signage with safety measures that also hold hand sanitizers and monogrammed or customized masks for guests.

Hold An Outdoor Event if You Have the Option

As we gain more knowledge of the coronavirus, we’ve learned that it spreads more easily indoors than outside, so consider having an outdoor wedding if you’re able to do so! Tented weddings are absolutely beautiful, especially when they’re decorated with florals, greenery, and elegant lighting.

Book Your Vendors ASAP

If you’re a couple getting married in 2021 who didn’t have to push your wedding back from this year to next, book the vendors you want ASAP because we’re booking up quickly! If there’s one thing that’s for sure during this pandemic, the wedding industry is gearing for a busy 2021 and probably even 2022 season as well. If you’re engaged and planning your wedding, don’t wait to book your vendors! With the many reschedules wedding vendors and event industry pros are facing in 2020, now is the time to secure your dream team!

If you’ve had to postpone your wedding, please be kind to your vendors; we know that you’ve dreamed of your day for so long and put so much effort into your planning, only to see them dismantled.  As you change your wedding plans to adhere to certain public health protocols, your vendors are making many changes as well. Our businesses are our livelihoods, so while this pandemic changes your plans and stresses you out, just know that we’re equally as nervous for how long the world may last like this!  The event industry has been one of the hardest-hit industries by COVID-19. Many vendors are balancing countless rescheduled weddings all while trying to keep their businesses moving forward. Please know that your vendors truly want your day to be not only a success but also joyful and celebratory! 

A Smaller Guest List = More Flexibility in Your Budget

If you’re having a smaller ceremony this year and pushing your big wedding to next year, you’re not alone! Many of our 2020 couples did this, which means they get to celebrate their marriage not once, but twice!! I always say intimate weddings can be just as lavish as larger ones. Having fewer guests actually gives you more wiggle room in your wedding budget for additional beautiful decor. Maybe you’re dreaming of having a luxurious floral design to carry out through each part of your day, and now you can! Are you thinking about upgrading some of your rentals? Go for it! These will all have a fantastic impact on your wedding photos as well. With intimate weddings becoming more popular in 2020, I started sharing some inspiration images on my Instagram stories recently, and saved them to a story highlight on my profile labeled “IntimateWed Inspo”. Check it out and see what you can dream up for your wedding!

Gather Inspiration

Speaking of wedding inspiration on Instagram, it really is the perfect place to find ideas as you’re planning your day! Search hashtags like #intimatewedding, #microwedding, or #covidweddingplanning to see how others are getting creative during this time. Don’t forget that you can follow hashtags on Instagram so posts that use them show up in your feed regularly!

Be sure to check your own wedding vendors’ blogs and social media channels to see what their weddings look like during the pandemic. Arturo and I have photographed several weddings this summer where our couples had to alter their original plans due to the coronavirus. One of our favorites was Emily & Chip’s elegant and intimate backyard wedding in Westport, Connecticut!

Though having to change your wedding plans is less than ideal, don’t let the pandemic steal the joy and reasoning of WHY you're getting married in the first place. There will always be time for a celebration, so even if that must come at a later date, don’t forget to enjoy your marriage first!

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shaina Lee Photography is a husband and wife photography team serving Connecticut, New York, and beyond.  We specialize in timeless, elegant, and romantic weddings while celebrating all couples in love. 

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