How to Host a Wedding Safely During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a lot of couples postponing or even canceling their wedding celebrations. As concerns about staying safe and healthy continue, many brides and grooms are looking for ways to still celebrate their weddings without endangering their loved ones.

Fortunately, you don’t have to give up your dreams of a memorable wedding day because of the pandemic. You just may have to adjust them a little. We’ve put together a few tips for how to plan for a safe wedding experience during COVID-19.

Work With Your Venue

Your venue is one vendor you'll want to work closely with while planning a COVID wedding. Be clear on guest limitations so you don't invite too many people. Talk to the venue about their rules regarding masks indoors and social distancing as well. That way, you can tell your guests exactly what to expect on the wedding day.

You should also think through the layout of the space to allow for proper social distancing. Work with your planner or the venue coordinator to figure out how guests can stay six feet away from each other throughout the event. They likely have creative suggestions for this, so be open to their ideas. For example, some venues are setting up socially distanced dance floors and ensuring tables are six feet apart.

Host Your Wedding Outside

Weather can be unpredictable, but hosting both your ceremony and reception outside allows for easier social distancing and eliminates many of the risks associated with a large number of people in a confined space.

 Check-In With Your Vendors

Once you're aware of local and national guidelines, call all of your vendors. Talk about their COVID-19 protocols and how they will be implemented on the wedding day, and discuss your role in implementing those measures as a client. Perhaps even consider ways you, the couple, can help your vendors (see below for communication with guests). This responsibility doesn't solely fall on your vendors as it's your wedding and these are your guests, so you should help make sure the event is as safe as possible.

Your caterer is another vendor to stay in close contact with. Talk about the ways they'll be making mealtime as safe as possible (servers wearing masks and gloves, for example). The buffet meal you originally planned might have to be adjusted, but that's OK. Talk to your vendor about the options available so that you and your loved ones can enjoy a lovely meal together—safely.

Offer Face Masks and Hand Sanitizer to Guests

The perfect favors for a COVID-19 wedding? Fun, fashionable face masks for every guest and personalized bottles of hand sanitizer. Not only are these gifts practical and consideration, but they’re something your guests can take home and continue to use.

Colored Wrist Bands to Indicate Comfort with Social Contact

Your guests will likely have different needs and different levels of comfort with being around other people. To help everyone respect others’ comfort levels, you can use colored wristbands to indicate whether a person is comfortable being approached or not. For example, green could signal that a person is comfortable around others, while red could be there for those who want to keep their distance from other guests.

Make It Intimate and Live-Stream the Festivities

The best way to ensure your wedding is safe and your guests stay healthy is to limit your day to just your closest family members and friends. For everyone else, you can live stream your ceremony and even your reception so that all your loved ones can feel like they’re a part of your special day.

Show Grace to Your Guests

Coronavirus is a serious health concern for many people. Even if they specifically may not be at risk, they might be living with someone who is or come in contact with someone who is (like their parents, who they're grocery shopping for). Rather than pressuring guests (or members of your wedding party) to attend, go out of your way to tell them that they don't have to attend if they don't feel comfortable. They will appreciate how considerate it is of you to start that conversation. Know that your guests all wish to celebrate with you, but the pandemic is a unique circumstance. If they're unable to attend, make sure you tell them you understand and that you can't wait to celebrate together when it's safe