How to Have a Fabulous Wedding PostPandemic (Almost)
W
hat a wild year it’s been for weddings and events worldwide!
COVID-19 is the uninvited guest who brought a date, hit the buffet line for a third serving and ordered himself four shots of Patron at the hosted bar. It’s safe to say that we’re all over it! Almost. In 2020, hundreds of couples were forced to either elope, reschedule their weddings, modify their guest lists or even cancel! The best thing about 2021 is that we now have more information. We know the safety measures and can finally take control. Here are a few tips that will help you plan and provide comfort and safety to yourself and your guests. This is due diligence done beautifully! • First, find your venue! The right venue can preclude tons of worry. You should be able to ask a venue manager to outline their COVID-19 protocols and have them recited without hesitation. Your wedding place should be up to date on the most current CDC/ CDH guidelines, provide previous successful scenarios and share best experiential practices. Good venue operations will manage COVID-19 protocols. Some will even do temperature checks at the door. • Second, leverage guest communications. Add a personal note to your website or invitations. For example, “Two weeks before the wedding, please do not feel obligated to attend if you’re showing any symptoms of illness or have been in direct contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19.” • Third, identify high-contact areas -- dinner service looms at the top of the list. Here’s my advice: Keep it simple! If you’re going the buffet route, be sure staff will be stationed so your guests are served food with protocol. Your best option is a plated dinner. This
dinner service typically covers food immediately after it’s plated, places it in a hot box, then delivers it directly guest by guest, providing the least contact to air borne particles. • Fourth, consider providing masks for your guests or giving out hand sanitizers with customized labels as gifts. Also, once the drinks start flowing, ask your DJ to give friendly reminders during the evening to social distance, wear masks and use sanitizers. DJs are such a huge help! You can also provide stoplight bracelets! They come in red, yellow and green. Red means “social distancing”, yellow is “elbows only” and green means “shakes and hugs.” Consider it “safety jewelry”! • Finally and always, hire a wedding planner. An experienced professional can review vendor contacts and clearly address COVID-19 “what if ” scenarios. Family can be a great help, but professionals remove stress and offer effortless guidance and management to ensure your wedding day is FABULOUS–even in a pandemic! With all that said, GO HOME COVID-19, YOU’RE DRUNK! It’s time for us to get back to celebrating!
About the author Since 1997, Maya Renee, of Maid of Honesty, has been applying thoughtful design and meticulous attention to detail in assisting her clients with planning and executing the perfect event for any type of occasion. www.idahomemagazine.com
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