There’s so much to consider when planning a wedding, regardless of when you’re having it - but add in a global pandemic, and it’s sure to get a little more crazy! While we’re lucky to live in Australia, where measures are in place to manage another outbreak, it’s still a very real threat to large events like weddings, so we thought we’d help you out with a few tips to keep in mind when planning your big day.
1. Prepare for change but stay positive!
After you’ve picked your date and venue, you need to mentally prepare yourself for the possibility of having to reschedule or adjust your plans. It’s easier said than done, but trying to be flexible and positive about how things will turn out, will take you a long way during a pandemic. This should be an enjoyable time, planning your wedding is so exciting, but remember to ask the right questions when booking things in, as your date and plans could change very quickly if we have another outbreak. Which brings us to our second point…
2. Check the COVID policies of your wedding suppliers
The best way to build strong relationships with your wedding suppliers, is to have open conversations and share your expectations. Remember to ask your suppliers what their covid-policies are and whether they charge for cancellations or rescheduling. Most wedding suppliers will reschedule free of charge or refund your deposit if your plans change due to COVID, but it’s always a good idea to check first. We recommend getting things in writing, just for added peace of mind! Suppliers you should talk to, include your celebrant, venue, florist, caterers, entertainment, makeup artist and hair stylist. Instyle hair for brides specializes in COVID-Friendly hair and makeup for weddings. Caterers like ElizabethAndrews can arrange a delicious wedding menu for you while keeping all the COVID safety precautions in mind, so you can enjoy your special day without any worries.
3. Print the date last
Invest in low-cost save the dates early on, to let your guests know about your wedding plans. Etsy and Vistaprint are great for this! They have so many great save the date options at a low cost. When it comes to printing your wedding invitations, wait until you’re closer to the date to create your perfect final piece! After all, things change so quickly these days, you want to make sure you’re investing in something that’s final.
4. Know your options if there’s another outbreak
We know you’ve been dreaming about your wedding day for a while, however, given the world we live in today, your dream may need to change a little to suit the times. Your wedding day is about the celebration of your love, try not to get too caught up on the “event” and stay focused on the true meaning of the day. Maybe your dream wedding turns out a little different to what you always thought it would be, but it’ll most likely still be the best day of your life. Here are some options, you may want to consider if your original plans have to change:
• The obvious one: reschedule or be ready to have it at the drop of a hat (like many people did, right before the 5-day snap lockdown Melbournians had in February 2021)
• Elope: get married, all you need is your partner, your witnesses and a celebrant! You might even plan a bigger celebration at a later date, but at least you got the most important part of it done - you’ve married your love!
• Keep it small: minimise your guestlist and keep it intimate, most people who have smaller weddings have only good things to say about how special the experience is. Not to mention the savings!
• The great outdoors: changing to an outdoor venue increases your chances of being able to go ahead - regardless of the pandemic. Even a private property is a good option here!
5. If you’re worried, check safety precautions with your venue.
Most venues are extremely COVID safe now, and they are required to be by law. Depending on restrictions at the time, you might want to check with the venue what the current guidelines are in regards to:
• Guest numbers and social distancing recommendations
• Contact tracing and sign-in requirements for your guests
• Face mask requirements
• Whether hand sanitiser is provided to guests
• The style of dinner service (individual servings vs buffet or shared meals)
Let’s hope you won’t need to use any of this advice, as we get better at containing outbreaks and the vaccines are rolled out. The main thing is, whether COVID affects you or not, your wedding day is still one of the most special days of your life. Stay safe and good luck!