Covid has shifted our societal values and many exciting trends have emerged as a result. From increased mindfulness surrounding personal hygiene practices to remote work culture, our response to the effects of the pandemic have demonstrated that there are a number of ways to do things that were never thought to be possible. In particular, Covid restrictions have forced us to think on our feet and come up with alternative ways to go about our lives. Weddings are no exception to this.
Fortunately for us, nowadays we can host weddings with more than just a handful of guests, though we can’t forget that Covid is still a threat. Nobody wants to host a wedding that cops all the blame for a number of their attendants getting sick. So here are some things you should keep in mind when planning your wedding to avoid organising a spreader event.
1. There Are New Types Of Covid-Safe Weddings:
- Elopements:
Elopements are arguably the most covid-safe type of wedding as well as the most intimate way to get married. Elopements refer to marriages with no ceremony nor guests. Typically the only people present are the couple, the celebrant, and witnesses. Elopements are a simple and hygienic way to marry the love of your life
- Micro Weddings
These are commonly described as a combination of a traditional wedding and an elopement.
Micro weddings are small ceremonies with significantly fewer guests. Typically featuring only close friends and family. Imagine all the people who hold dear in your life seated on a single table enjoying the evening together. There are a number of benefits to micro weddings on top of being a Covid-safe alternative. Fewer guests make them incredibly affordable and also creates an intimate atmosphere. There’s no doubt as to why micro weddings are becoming such a huge trend.
- Outdoor Weddings
There’s no problem if you’re heavily family orientated and cannot fathom hosting a wedding without your extended family present. With each additional guest attending your wedding comes a greater level of responsibility. Choosing to host your wedding in an outdoor venue affords your guests the opportunity to easily socially distance themselves. If you want to be extra cautious, you can advise everybody in guests to get tested prior to attending the wedding.
2. Make Your Guests Feel Welcomed With An Inclusive Wedding
The whole point of making your wedding Covid-safe is to make sure that everybody in attendance feels safe. Nowadays, many of us feel comfortable enough to go out to a restaurant or a concert, but for some, the risk of catching covid is a life-threatening one.
This is why minimising the chances of these at-risk individuals catching covid is imperative at events like weddings. Encouraging your guests to get vaccinated, socially distance themselves, and test themselves regardless of whether or not they have symptoms can greatly reduce the likelihood of turning your wedding into a spreader event – making the wedding more accessible to everyone invited.
3. Style Your Covid-Safe Wedding With Stunning Decorations
Covid-safe weddings have introduced exciting new ways to style your wedding. Emerging trends that celebrate intimacy and small-scale attention to detail. A standout feature of micro weddings has been the table flower arch.
Highly intimate, atmospheric, and photogenic, table flower arches have become emblematic of a movement away from bigger weddings and the pressures they can entail. Quaint decorations like cake stands and reflective wishing wells are also a simple way to spruce up a budget wedding without breaking your bank.
4. Livestream Your Wedding
Regardless of whether a guest is suffering from Covid or simply had unforeseen circumstances preventing them from making it to your ceremony, livestreaming is a great way to share your wedding with those who could not attend in person. Common setups for livestreaming can be mixed, with a popular option including a stationary tripod for the ceremony and speeches at the reception.
To create a more interactive experience, your venue may be able to accommodate a projector screen, so virtual guests and real-life guests can see each other and interact. Sometimes online audio delays and general loudness at weddings can create some difficulties with communication. To circumvent this, another option can include passing around a tablet during the reception, so that virtual guests can interact with a variety of real-life guests.
5. Communication Is Key
If you’re taking precautions to organise a Covid-safe wedding then it’s important to communicate these plans in advance to vendors and venue management. This way, everyone is on the same page and your event can succeed in helping protect guests from covid.
As a rule of thumb, it’s always good to read the terms of service before you sign any contract, and if the last few years of cancelled weddings have taught us anything, it’s that we need to read the contracts we’re signing. Pay particular attention to cancellation policies and the ‘Force Majeure’ section, which should outline the vendor’s policy if covid affects your wedding.
If you have questions, ask them, and get your answers in writing. In doing so, if things don’t go according to plan, both parties have a documented copy of the agreement and can refer to this when coming to a deal.
