What Will Weddings Be Like After COVID Restrictions are Lifted?
While there’s still much unknown about what life will be like over the next few months, we know that weddings after COVID gathering restrictions are lifted will look somewhat different. As many couples have postponed their nuptials to later this year, wedding professionals have already started to think about how to make events joyful, romantic—and yes, safer. Of course, much of this depends on the CDC guidelines and state and local regulations, but we predict that many of these new (and creative!) ideas will be implemented in the coming months.
If you’re planning a wedding to take place after COVID restrictions are lifted, read on for advice for hosting a memorable event.
Guest list
When people are once again able to gather, weddings will likely be smaller than before. I can see couples going for more intimate weddings over the larger ones just a year ago. This will allow you and your spouse to be able to enjoy it more and also give the attending guests more of a piece of mind for attending.
While figuring out how to cut your guest list can be an overwhelmingly difficult task (but we promise your loved ones will understand!), in the end, there are benefits to having a smaller event. Instead of paying for a plate for your hairdresser’s next-door neighbors’ best friend, that money can now be used on the honeymoon or add-ons that you wanted, but were outside of the budget. In fact, that extra money can be used to set up a live stream for your friends and family that can’t make it to your wedding.
Invitations & pre-wedding communication
Many couples have sent change-the-date cards to announce a wedding’s postponement, but there are additional pieces of stationery that weddings after COVID may need. Before your event, send a coordinated note in your invitation explaining that, “You will be monitoring health and regulatory guidelines as we navigate through these unprecedented times.” Digital invitations can be sent to those who cannot make the live event to join the ceremony live on live stream. These custom digital invitations are detailed to match the couple’s formal invitation and give instructions on where and how to view the video. They are a great way to build excitement and community before the big day.
Ceremony
At weddings after the COVID gathering restrictions, the ceremony will still be an emotional and special experience, with a few tweaks to the layout to enhance the safety factor. Be prepared for venues and wedding planners to suggest that everyone stands for the ceremony. This will allow for social distancing. Here in Florida though, if it’s an outdoor wedding, you will want to look at the length of the ceremony. Even in the winter, it can be quite warm outside, and you may have guests that need to be thought of, when it comes to standing long periods.
Guest seating
When it comes to guest seating at weddings after COVID restrictions are lifted, expect to see smaller tables, spaced more of a distance—think more restaurant-style seating, as opposed to large tables with lots of guests.
Food & drink
From cocktail hour to the reception, food and drink is a major part of any wedding reception. That won’t change, but the way meals and beverages are presented likely will. The goal here is to ensure as few hands as possible involved in plating and setup, while still providing guests with a delicious culinary experience.
During cocktail hour, an increase in the number of bars and bartenders will alleviate the number of guests standing in line. Passed hors d’oeuvres may be skipped in favor of beautiful mini boxes of appetizers that are passed out to guests.
“Bars will likely require sneeze guards, like we are seeing already at businesses that are open. This may present to you another way of adding a personal touch to your reception by decorating it or even writing thank yous on them for your guests.
For the reception meal, the focus will be on serving each guest individually to avoid touching communal surfaces. Expect plated meals to become the norm again. This will get rid of the long buffet lines and if buffets are requested, expect the venue and caterers to set up sections around the venue to lessen the potential of long lines.
The same goes for desserts—cakes will be sliced and served to each guest, rather than guests taking a plate from a communal table. Elaborate self-serve dessert tables of cookies, cupcakes, and candy will be replaced with individually wrapped and packaged items or dessert sampler plates prepared by the catered and served one-by-one to seated guests.
Music
Instead of packed dance floors, couples may be moving toward a fancy dinner party atmosphere focusing on toasts and speeches, special dances, and unique entertainment. Even prior to this current pandemic, I noticed more and more weddings going to this idea of unique entertainment. Some things I saw were silk dancers and hula-hoop performances.
Dancing is not out of the question though, more “real estate” may need to be set aside for a larger dance floor though and/or more intimate with slow songs.
Flowers & decor
Smaller weddings mean couples can be even more creative with their decor. Signage will be even more important, from menus to seating charts, even signs featuring fun song lyrics near bathroom sinks to encourage 20-second hand-washing.
In terms of flowers, flexibility is key. Couples will want to think in terms of color palettes and textures when it comes to their vision, because their favorite blooms may be more difficult to procure. Going local and with what’s in-season will be big.
Favors & giveaways
Hand sanitizer is a hot commodity these days, and it’s going to be a popular wedding favor in the months to come. Guest care stations complete with hand sanitizer and wipes will be more commonplace, particularly near restrooms and any doors that guests will walk through.
A big question for weddings after COVID restrictions revolves around masks—should couples provide masks for their guests? Really there is no wrong answer for this. I can see wedding masks that are customized with your name and your wedding date on it. I can also see no masks provided. If your and your spouse decide on the latter, I would suggest having a few on hand in case your guests forget them at home.
Welcome bags will also be re-imagined. Instead, maybe something is mailed to each guest in advance to get them excited for the weekend to come and to communicate any last-minute details.
Photo & video
Photography and videography will play an even larger role in weddings that take place after COVID restrictions are lifted. Loved ones who are not able to attend will be able to experience the event through live streaming, photos, and videos. Professional photography and videography will provide more of a value for you now. With guest lists shrinking and loved ones that can’t make it because of quarantines, experiencing the joy of your day through live streams, photos and video is crucial.
My plan, when it comes to photography, is to having multiple conversations with you and your spouse, before your wedding. I want to make sure that you two and your friends and family has the appropriate comfort level with the way I photograph the wedding. As you know, there are multiple “touch points” during the wedding, such as handling bouquets and adjusting the grooms tie. So, I will do my best to ensure the health and well-being of everyone involved in the photography side.