How Weddings Will Change Due to COVID-19

Pop the question pre-pandemic? No one planned for coronavirus, but you still have to plan a wedding.

Recently, a groom died two days after his wedding and 100 guests went home infected with the novel coronavirus. Many states have started to reopen, but it’s safe to say, COVID-19 isn’t over.

How are people supposed to build their life with a pandemic working against them? Couples still want to marry – and can – the ceremony will just be different.

Here are a few ways the wedding industry is going to change due COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Reschedule the date

If you had your date planned for summer – or unfortunately even fall 2020 – this may not be the safest time for a ceremony. Rescheduling may be the safest option.

According to the Knot, the first step is notifying everyone on your guest list. If “save-the-dates” have already gone out, you can send a less official notice by email or phone call. People are more likely to understand given the climate of COVID-19.

Now if you still want to say “I do” to your sweetie, there are other ways to celebrate the happiest day of your life.

2. Have an intimate ceremony

The Centers for Disease Control doesn’t have an exact number on the amount of people allowed to be at an event at one time anymore. It simply recommends to stagger the number attending and to keep it as low as possible.

For those not interested in waiting to say “I do,” can have an intimate wedding with a marriage officiant, a witness, and maybe a photographer. If you’re up to it, keep sanitizer stations. The Knot even recommends having monogrammed masks for a wedding favor.

3. Say your nuptials and pushback the party

Couples have even begun streaming this type of small wedding over Facebook live to share the moment with friends and family. They can always have a celebration at a later date. All you really need is a legal officiant. It’s not crazy to hear people becoming ordained ministers online. It costs a small fee of $20. There can be a witness present seated more than six feet apart, and if it’s streamed over social media, plenty will see you read your vows.

4. Things you won’t – or shouldn’t – be able to do

Now is not the best time for a destination wedding. Traveling has become more stringent with rules at airports, and a lot of your guests may not feel comfortable leaving home for your special day.

We may be months into this pandemic, butc cases are still on the rise and death rates have gone up as well.

If you do go through with your wedding, keeping the ceremony limited to 10 people. That will help the wedding venue avoid any trouble with state laws and help you and your guests feel a little more safe.

If you were planning to have a buffet, don’t. Individual meals are the safest way to go. And if your wedding is going to be indoors, everyone will be better off with an outdoor ceremony. Finally, be careful of alcohol consumption. There’s a reason states are so strict on the bar industry and a lot of it has to do with people letting their guard down after drinking.

No one planned for the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that it’s here, everyone needs to adapt to the “new normal.” Weddings aren’t going away, but hopefully this pandemic eventually does. Wedding plan now consists of safety planning. Keep that in mind while planning your big day.