LOVE IS NOT CANCELLED, IT JUST NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE FLEXIBLE DURING COVID. HERE ARE OUR TOP WEDDING TIPS TO HELP YOU SAFELY PLAN YOUR BIG DAY.
1. Review agreements with prospective vendors carefully
Ensure that you have a contract that clearly covers rescheduling, postponements, and other changes. Most vendors are fine if you need to reschedule but will charge a fee if you cancel altogether. Knowing where you stand upfront is the single most valuable way to avoid stress and heartache later.
2. Think about having your wedding on a weekday
Weekdays are a better prospect so if you do need to reschedule your wedding, your chance of keeping your existing venue and team of suppliers together is much better, as demand is lower. Also, if you also opt for a weekday you’re more likely to have your first pick of venue and suppliers and in the event of a reschedule it’s doesn’t become another compromise you need to make. You might even save some money.
3. Stay local.
If travel restrictions tighten you’re less likely to have a problem on your hands if you stay local.
4. A smaller wedding is better
The number of guests that can attend varies depending on where you live, the size of the venue, and whether the wedding is inside or outside. But even if you’re allowed 100 guests or more, think about cutting the guest list to reduce your risk of transmission.
5. Outside is also better
The best venue will be outdoors — open-air, natural ventilation and lots of space. If you choose an inside venue, ask about ventilation, because poor ventilation and a big guest list is only going to increase the risk of transmission.
6. Keep it short and sweet
Instead of the usual ceremony followed by a reception that goes late into the night, keep it shor. We know the risk of COVID-19 spread is related to length of exposure, so the shorter the time spent in close contact — particularly in confined spaces — the lower the risk.
7. Make physical distancing easy
If there’s a sit-down meal, use only every second seat. Place markings on the floor to indicate an appropriate distance to stand apart. And encourage guests to avoid congregating around entrances, exits, toilets, and the bar.
8. Remind everyone of the rules before the big day
With every invitation, include this brief list of rules, so everybody knows what to expect:
please social distance by 1.5m, including when dancing
regularly use hand sanitiser available throughout the venue
use the COVIDSafe app
stay home if you are unwell (including the bridal party).
That last one is particularly important. If guests feel unwell (even with mild, flu-like symptoms), they must not attend. And the same if you are unwell. We know it will be hard to cancel but if you have any symptoms, stay at home and get tested at the earliest opportunity.
9. Livestream the ceremony
Friends and family who are overseas or interstate or vulnerable (with low immune systems) can still be part of your wedding day if you live-stream them in on your ceremony.
10. Remind your guests ‘no hugging’
Social distancing is hard when people’s natural tendency is to hug you and congratulate you. To avoid a flurry of hugs after your ceremony, speak to your celebrant about letting your guests know in a warm and friendly way that they can hug you with their hearts, not their hands.
11. Take portrait photos of you and your guests
Unfortunately taking group photos goes against social distancing, but that’s not to say you can’t get great wedding day photos. Choose a great backdrop and get each guest to pose in a cute or unique way to help you remember your day.
12. Limit the alcohol
Consider limiting the amount of alcohol served. Rather than the traditional endless supply of beer and wine, consider one or two cocktails per guest. The shorter duration of the celebration should also reduce the likelihood of poor decision-making that comes with drinking too much.
13. Tag everyone’s glass
Place an easily identifiable tag on each glass so there’s no confusion about which one belongs to each guest. That way you minimise the chance of people drinking from someone else’s glass. And on the day, raise your glasses rather than clinking them together.
14. Forget the buffet
Don’t share food or utensils, so that means no buffets or serveries. It’s a good idea to ensure your venue has a COVID-safe plan as this will guide the processes waiters and other staff serving your guests will follow.
15. Provide hand sanitiser
Put hand-sanitiser dispensers on every table, and at entrances and exits, to encourage your guests to use it. You could even create a wedding decal to stick on individual hand sanitisers for each guest.
And finally, enjoy yourself.