How to Get Married During Coronavirus | Guide to Wedding Planning During Covid-19
The coronavirus pandemic has left the wedding industry shook. As well as resulted in a lot of disappointment for bride-to-be’s around the country. But all hope isn’t loss! If you’re trying to get married during the Covid-19 pandemic or just trying to plan a wedding for next year, we’ve got the best tips to help you plan the wedding of your dreams despite the inconveniences we’re currently facing.
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During Coronavirus
If you’ve had to change your wedding day plans but still want to get married this year, rejoice! It can be done with some creativity and careful planning. There are several options:
Backyard Weddings
Weddings from the comfort of home are becoming increasingly popular because of their intimacy, outdoor location (hello, fresh air!) and their convenience. If you’ve been dreaming of an outdoor wedding, these may be a great option for you.
Backyard weddings are highly customizable and can really be quite spectacular depending on your space and budget. Even small space, small budget backyard weddings offer a intimacy and warmth you just can’t find at a venue!
Check out our complete guide to planning an incredible backyard wedding here.
Live Stream Wedding
These weddings have become common all of a sudden for the love birds that cannot wait another second – and really, isn’t that so romantic? Use a platform like Facebook Live, Zoom, or LoveStream to include your family and friends on your big day.
Adventurous Elopement
If there’s ever been a time to elope, one could argue it’s right now! Tie the knot in a gorgeous location and bring along a photographer to capture breathtaking shots you can share with loved ones. You can even have a reception to celebrate at a later date.
Parade-Style
Get married in your front yard or another open space where friends and family can “drive thru” your wedding by watching from their cars, honking the horns and cheering you on from a safe distance.
Any of the Above Options + Vow Renewal
Do any of the above options for the time being then on your postponed wedding date, celebrate with a vow renewal that includes all of your friends and family, and fits your original vision!
How to Wedding Plan During Covid-19
If you’re just starting planning your wedding or adjusting your future plans, here’s how to navigate the troubling waters we find ourselves in while still creating your dream day.
Note: Because restrictions and guidelines for coronavirus are different everywhere, make sure where you are planning your wedding meets those requirements to help keep your guests and yourself healthy and safe.
Set Your Budget
This is probably the most important factor in planning a wedding. It will affect all of your planning decisions so make sure you work out this essential detail first before you start looking at venues and dream dresses outside of your budget – that’s where you’ll get in trouble!
Once you have your budget, you can play around with your variables to create an ideal scenario for that budget. This may include an otherwise expensive venue but holding your wedding there during the week or off-season to reduce the price, reducing your guest list, or changing your catering options around. Make a spreadsheet to run different scenarios and find the best one that works for you, keeping in mind which aspects of your big day are the most important to you.
Determine Your Timeline
2021 seems promising for many couples planning their weddings, but obviously if you push it out to 2022 you may have more selections available for picking a date. Many venues are getting completely booked up for the year because of the weddings that have been cancelled due to Covid-19 this year.
It’ll be important for you to decide if timing or being able to book your dream venue is what’s most important to you in planning your big day.
Determine Your Vision
This is arguably one of the most fun parts of planning a wedding, looking at all the pretty Pinterest pictures and finding loads of bridal #inspo! Look around the web and on social media and see what styles you’re loving in terms of venue, decor, and general vibe.
Do you like the serene woodsy, fairytale feel of a garden wedding? The drama of a ballroom with colored lights and show-stopping centerpieces? Boho, beachy, glitzy, classic… find and save pictures that pique your interest and you’ll start to notice a general theme. This is how you determine your vision and it will make venue shopping much easier.
Virtually Tour Venues
2020 is quite the exciting times isn’t it? We can do anything online these days, including taking a virtual tour of venues! Many venues are opting to put very detailed videos and pictures of the space on their websites, as well as giving potential customers the opportunity to Facetime or video call and take a “virtual tour” of the venue in real time.
Narrow down your list online with videos and pictures you find on their website, as well as social media. Then get in contact with the owner or wedding coordinator to set up a virtual tour appointment to make your final decision.
Make Your Guest List
This can be super time consuming as you’ll likely have lots of people you’d like to invite but depending on budget or space-requirements, might not make the cut. You’ll also likely be adding guests that your parents or future in-laws would like to attend.
This detail is crucial because it impacts most of your decisions going forward in terms of venue, food, seating and other vendors. Break out the spreadsheet and make your list of “must” invite guests and add another column for your “maybe” list if budget allows for it, depending on your venue and other choices.
Virtually Meet With Vendors
Many vendors you can talk to over the phone or video call with to make your selections, especially the ones with visual elements. Many vendors have loads of reviews online to help you choose one that fits your needs and standards.
When it comes to taste-testing your menu options, talk to vendors about their social distancing protocols and how you can make your selection. Many vendors are getting creative and doing their best to accommodate people during this time because they absolutely want to be able to keep working and booking gigs!
Once you choose a venue, you can also see if they have any recommendations. It can also be helpful to choose a venue first because some venues will have on-site staff for food and bartending and will require you to use those services rather than hiring another vendor.
Send Out Your Invites
Let guests know when and where your wedding is going to be – shocking, we know! There are so many options for easily creating wedding invites, ranging from simple & basically done-for-you to unique, custom options you won’t find anywhere else.
Minted
Minted offers loads of unique options and will even send brides free samples so they can see how their invites will look before committing to hundreds of them. Shop the above ones here!
Shutterfly
These metallic etched invites have the prettiest shine to them and are obviously indicative of the elegance and glitz you’ll have at your wedding! Shop them here.
Etsy
On Etsy, you’ll find custom creations that will wow your guests with your wedding from the moment they open that invitation envelope!
These see-through invites are so unique and elegant. You can shop them here!
Romantic and stunning, these laser-cut invitations will make your guests hold onto them forever rather than throwing them away after the big day. Shop them here!
Find Your Dress
There are loads of options for shopping for wedding dresses online these days, some popular sites include:
BHLDN
BHLDN caters to every style of bride on a budget and offers a huge selection of online dresses. From wispy chiffon, flowy layers to romantic lace, there’s every dress you could imagine on this site!
Azazie
Azazie is fan-favorite store has a massive selection of affordable & unique wedding dresses, mother of the bride dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and every accessory under the sun. It also allows you to shop by style & color
Nordstrom
Nordstrom is a classic bride’s dream and a total one-stop-shop for high-quality, gorgeous dresses and wedding accessories. You’ll also be able to take most dresses into the store for free tailoring!
Local Bridal Shops
But sometimes nothing can really beat the experience of trying them on! Check with your local wedding dress boutiques on their policies regarding social distancing. Many are taking one small group at a time to shop inside the store – which makes for a fun, very exclusive experience!
Shop For Your Bridesmaids
Your bridal party needs to be looking as amazing as you do on your big day! Check out local bridal shops for in-person small group experience, or try the modern approach of shopping or renting dresses online.
Lulus
Lulus is a great spot for effortlessly chic and super affordable bridesmaid dresses. Many of them are so trendy and versatile, your bridesmaids can even wear them again!
David’s Bridal
David’s Bridal is the classic bridesmaid dress shop for a reason – they have a huge variety of colors and sizes to fit every bridal party, and definitely offer dresses that have a more formal feel. You can also check out wedding dresses for yourself or every bridal accessory you may need!
BHLDN
Just like with their wedding dress selection, BHLDN has a huge selection of affordable dresses that range from boho and effortless to formal & chic. You’re bound to find something you love!
Look Into Wedding Insurance
Many venues will have their own, but with the variability of Covid-19 and its outbreaks, it’s not a bad idea to protect yourself in the event another one takes place and you have to postpone or cancel your big day.
Do your own research online or work with an insurance broker or wedding planner to find a wedding insurance policy that works for you and your budget.
Design & Decorate
It’s time to bring that wedding day vision to life with all of the beautiful details! Decorating will transform a space. So whether you’re doing it all yourself or hiring someone for help, keep in mind how important it is for the atmosphere of your big day.
Make Your Registry & Wedding Website
These days, a wedding website is the best way to keep wedding guests in the loop about your registry and all of the festivities. We recommend printing it on your invitations so guests can easily find the website (many even offer RSVPing right on the site to help keep everything organized and in one place for you).
The Knot & Zola are the most popular choices for creating a registry, website, and taking RSVPs all in one spot!
Make a List of Must-Play Songs for Your DJ
Every DJ plays the classic wedding songs to get your friends and family on the dance floor but if you have specific favorites, make sure you talk with your DJ and send them your list.
You’ll also want to be sure you’ve communicated your first dance song, father/bride dance, mother/groom dance, and entrance songs, as well as any other important songs you want planned. Most DJ’s will ask but make sure this is communicated well ahead of time!
Plan Your Honeymoon
After all this planning you’re definitely going to be in need of a vacation! Whether you’re staying close to home or jetting off to the other side of the globe, make sure you’re staying up to date on any coronavirus developments in that area.
Most resorts and hotels are heavily sanitizing their properties and a lot of people are feeling comfortable traveling to them. Whatever you choose to do, make sure to see what that property is doing to protect its guests and find a place with guidelines you’re comfortable with.
It’s also not a bad idea to purchase travel insurance considering the up-in-the-air times we are finding ourselves in.
Draft a Day-Of Timeline
There’s nothing worse than running around like a chicken with its head cut off on such an important day. If you don’t have a wedding planner, this step is super important to help you stay organized. If you do have a wedding planner, ask for a copy of theirs so you can stay on top of what’s going on behind the scenes.
When drafting your own, start with the big details first like meeting your bridesmaids at the spa first thing in the morning, bridal party luncheon at noon, and being in your suite to get ready by 3 PM. From there, you can fill in smaller details that you don’t want to forget before the main event.
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