Throughout the Covid pandemic, the way we walk through the world – and down the aisle – have changed. We are socially distanced, more conscious of sanitation, and facing a whole new world in many respects. This has changed how we work, how we play, and how we get married. Whether you postponed your wedding or just started planning, these changes are going to be with us for a while. Here’s a look at emerging trends and tips for adapting for a “2021-Style” wedding.
DOWNSIZE AND DISTANCE
One major way that many couples are altering their weddings due to Covid is significantly downsizing their guestlist. The pandemic has made couples reconsider the guestlist they already spent hours carefully considering. Selecting fewer in-person guests may be difficult, but it can reap unintended benefits. We’ll talk about that a little later.
More weddings will be outside to allow for easier social distancing. Ceremonies will be shorter and sweeter with minimal seating so that people can sit or stand 6 feet apart. Keeping venue capacity and distancing in mind for the wedding and any following reception or meal service will require a smaller guestlist for everyone’s safety.
DEDICATION TO SANITATION
Couples are offering masks, sanitizer, and gloves to guests. Some brides have made masks into keepsakes by personalizing them and coordinating with wedding colors and decor.
Wedding dinners will no longer be buffet style, but instead plated. In some states and locations, meals may be served in individually wrapped containers. Where buffet-style service is still attempted, it will probably be a series of smaller stations to prevent guests from piling up in a single line and to promote social distancing.
MULTIPLE MINIMONY
Some weddings will happen twice. Instead of one giant wedding, couples are having a simple “minimony” on their original wedding date and planning a larger event for the future, post-pandemic. This allows couples to get married sooner, and then have a grander celebration with a full guestlist at a later date when restrictions are lifted.
DIGITAL I-DOs
Technology can be a beautiful thing. And it’s offering a lot to the wedding industry (and everything else) during Covid restrictions. Digital registries allow guests to give gifts to the couple without shopping trips or contact. A wedding website can help keep guests in-the-know as updates happen, including changes in local restrictions or conditions. This is very important for guest safety and to feel more connected throughout the wedding.
Guests who feel uncomfortable attending a ceremony in person or cannot travel can now watch a streaming of the ceremony with Zoom, Skype or a variety of live video streaming services.
SINGLE-SERVE OR SMALLER CAKE
With COVID-19 safety in mind, many couples are choosing individual dessert options to allow for social distancing and greater sanitation practices. They’re opting for wedding cookies, donuts, or specialty cupcakes at receptions in single-serve portions. Additionally, many couples are having smaller ceremonies, requiring smaller cakes for fewer guests or a small cake for just the bride and groom to cut and enjoy together.
RESET PRIORITIES
Even with smaller guest lists, many couples are keeping their original budget. This means money that would have gone to additional meals, wedding favors, seating, etc., can be reprioritized to more personal touches, more elegant decorations, or better food. This can help shape a more intimate, memorable experience for the bride, groom and immediate family members who attend.
The way we wed has changed, but maybe they aren’t bad changes. Spending one of the biggest days of your life with your intimate inner circle, eating better food, with a shorter ceremony and a more personalized celebration might be just want your big day needs. Your day will be uniquely remarkable and so will your life together. What’s more, even with adjustments to your plans, you’ll be glad your wedding was safe for those you love.