COVID 19 - Planning a wedding during a pandemic
Planning a wedding is stressful enough without the attention of any unwanted guests !!
Here are some helpful tips, information and useful links to help you plan throughout the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Covid-19 A very unwelcome wedding guest.
Like it or not, we all are currently existing in a period where changes to our lives and plans are being impacted upon. These are tough times. Normal life doesn’t seem so “normal” anymore and we are adept at hearing phrases like this is “the new norm”…
For many, me included this leaves me feeling unsettled and uneasy along with many of my wedding supplier colleagues.
As a couple planning your big day you will undoubtedly have already faced some difficult decisions. Maybe you have decided to postpone your special day all together.
Worrying thoughts are commonplace.. is your venue remaining open? Have they undertaken a workplace covid risk assessment? Are they operating under the remit of being Covid Secure and compliant?
Beginning to understand and have a level of acceptance of some of these changes will allow you to remove some of the stress from the process.
As it stands at the time of writing this blog in January 2021, Wedding Ceremonies in England are currently banned, unless there are exceptional circumstances… (serious life-threatening or debilitating illnesses or life-changing surgery). Even then ceremonies are only allowed to proceed with 6 people. That said, anyone working at the event is not included in this number.
Prior to the nation’s 3rd national lockdown, here at Darren Weston Photography, we did undertake photography services at COVID secure weddings. Hopefully soon when restrictions start to become eased once more, the opportunities for reduced number weddings will once again commence.
So thinking ahead, here are a few Do’s and Dont’s to help you navigate a COVID wedding.
DO
Be realistic with your plans and expectations - Accept that elements of your plans might not now be possible. Singing/music is not always permitted at the ceremony or wedding breakfast. It is felt that this could promote raised voices and the chance to spread the virus over greater distances.
Decide which guests MUST be preset…Due to rules on attendees, as a couple, you must decide who you NEED to be at the wedding and who it would be NICE to have there. Don’t think too hard about this as often the necessities are parents, groom, and bridesmaids, etc. Family and friends will understand if they cannot be there.
Consider suppliers that offer insurance and fair T+Cs (this will be options for transferring your agreed package to another date or time in the event that something goes wrong) This is vital. Any supplier that refuses to offer flexibility to their booking or not offer refunds of deposits in certain COVID situations, should be avoided. Request a written contract from any supplier clearly outlining their actions, should things change. During these challenging times, it is an acceptable practice that reputable suppliers will, where possible work with you to resolve any issues.
Plan ahead… Think about the restrictions that are likely to be in that area or tier level. Think about accommodation for guests or travelling plans well ahead. of the big day.
Have a plan B… Review more than one supplier that you like, in case of illness or availability becoming difficult.
Accept that plans might become further subject to tighter restrictions and be subject to short or no notice change.
understand that wedding suppliers will be affected too, and they might have to alter some aspects of their service… Certainly, photography can be accomplished with varying lens choices, allowing greater distance between you and the photographer, however, a wedding makeup artist is still required to be within a 1m distance from you. They might implement additional PPE measures as a result.
Consider whether you can postpone your plans to 2022.
Bear in mind that 2022 will be busy and wedding supplier’s diaries will quickly fill up - consider this and commit to dates as soon as you know you are available. Early deposits will secure your date with the supplier adding to peace of mind.
Dont
request that venues or wedding suppliers breach or bend the rules. Fines can be applied now to anyone that flouts the rules.
enter into agreements with suppliers that won’t offer alternative terms and conditions in the event of cancellations
leave postponing your wedding date too late-its far better to advise guests earlier than leave it right to the last minute.
forget that overseas attendees might have to self-isolate for a given period of time upon entering the UK. Allow time for travel etc
allow your wedding date to be driven by COVID restrictions. Accept them and enjoy your special day
““My hope is by this summer it really will be a different world for the weddings and events industry. I hope that your customers will be full of confidence and optimism as well and will getting hitched in the normal way...”
— UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson”
Regrettably, your special occasions guest list is likely to be looking less voluptuous than originally hoped. Whilst many guests will understand the difficult task of reducing numbers, one way of maximising the number of guests you can include is separating friends and families into bubbles.
Invite each bubble to a different part of the day’s proceedings - just remember you need enough physical space or social distancing when guests arrive and depart.
Ultimately couples face an uneasy task ahead, more so if their wedding date is imminent.
The light at the tunnel is getting brighter and maybe one day we can all look back at your masked wedding images with a special fondness that bought us all together but ultimately to remember we pushed back against our unwelcome wedding guest…
Further reading/help
If after all the above you are in a position to postpone or cancel your wedding click the below button for help and support. Our thanks to all those at “Hitched” for the below useful links…