Who knew that you would still have to adjust your wedding planning for Covid-19 in 2021?

Unfortunately, this pandemic has changed all of our lives, and it’s not going anywhere quickly. If you’re planning on getting married in 2021, get ready to adjust your wedding plans (…again).

But we’re here to help! We have some advice on how to adjust your wedding planning for Covid-19, whether you’re starting from scratch or pivoting from Plan A.

Note: Every place has their own restrictions and rules for social gatherings and dining. Please adjust accordingly to your most updated local guidelines. And when in doubt, be extra cautious.

Change your floor plan

The key is to start small and hope for the best.

But what if your wedding venue is big because you were expecting more guests? With a smaller number of guests, how do you make sure your room doesn’t feel empty?

Try mixing different styles of tables. Before, you may have only had room for round tables. But now that you have less guests, look at incorporating a mix of long and round tables for visual interest. You can also try angling your long tables to maximize space and create something different.

Of course, your tables still need to be 6 feet apart, so make sure that’s possible first.

For long tables, you can also try bumping up to a King’s size. The standard long table is 2.5 feet or 30 inches deep. This size is narrow, and it doesn’t allow much room for decor once all the table settings are in place.

If you go with a King’s size instead, the table is 48 inches deep. There’s more room on the table itself, which means more comfort for your guests, and these tables fill more space on your floor plan. Don’t forget to rent a King’s size table linen too.

Take inspiration from the use of space at some of our previous (large) weddings!

Embrace the seated cocktails + appetizers hour

Cocktail hour may no longer be a stand and mingle activity due to Covid-19.

Guests may need to be seated during cocktail hour, with table-service food and drinks, like at a restaurant. 

While this is not what you originally envisioned, consider the benefits. Your guests don’t have to line up at a bar, and servers bring them food and drink directly. Maybe your caterers can prepare a plate of hors d’oeuvres for each guest instead of walking around with trays — it’s a bit more of an elevated experience. Guests can enjoy more complex hors d’oeuvres too because they are eating at a table instead of standing (in heels), holding a flimsy napkin.

Of course, this means that your cocktails area now requires seating and tables. If your venue does not have enough in-house, or you are not open to renting these items, you could look at moving your cocktails into the dining room and have guests sit at their dinner tables.

Sit at a sweetheart table

You may not have the option of sitting with your wedding attendants like at a traditional Head Table.

The alternative? A sweetheart table. 

The name is corny but the sweetheart table is smart. Sitting as a couple allows you to actually spend time together. Plus, then your attendants can sit with their cohort/family, which means less seating planning for you.

On the wedding day, you’re going to be pulled in many different directions. The day goes by in a blur, and you want to make sure you get to have some quiet time together to soak in every moment. This is advice that should be taken regardless of a pandemic or not.

We love some of the sweetheart tables our clients have chosen in the past.

Keep your DJ

Yes, that’s right. Even if there’s no dance, really think about having a DJ. Music is more noticeable when you have a smaller group of guests compared to a large group. Everything is more in focus with an intimate celebration, so it’s important that you get the right atmosphere.

Sure, you can always have your venue play a Spotify playlist. But who is going to provide extra microphones and sanitize them after every toast? Who will turn down the music for toasts and speeches? Who will fade a song that isn’t going over well and quickly switch to another?

Your venue staff is busy with a ton of new tasks to keep your wedding extra safe. If they’re also responsible for audio and sound, chances are you will get a bit of a delay in making changes. Don’t forget, your DJ not only handles the music, but s/he is responsible for all things audio and sound related too.

Have fun with your Grand Entrance

Although guests might not be allowed to mingle between tables, the couple can (with masks and distancing).

So instead of just walking in for your Grand Entrance and sitting down immediately, take time to acknowledge your guests. Since there are fewer guests, you actually get time to talk to everyone!

One of our couples did this with a Grand Entrance prosecco toast. Right before the Grand Entrance, servers gave a glass of prosecco to each guest and the bride and groom. 

As the bride and groom walked in to their song, they walked by each table and raised their glasses to say hi. It was a sweet way to greet guests and get a bit more mileage out of their Grand Entrance, which would have been otherwise over in 20 seconds!

Wedding planning for Covid-19 is the new reality (for a little longer at least)

No one wants to still be adjusting their wedding plans for Covid-19. Especially not those who already bumped their 2020 wedding to 2021.

We hear you! The time and and energy we have spent re-planning and re-working weddings with changing regulations is like planning 3 weddings in one.

But? This is what we do. It’s our passion. We are focused on helping couples figure out what to do and how to do it.

If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, or simply looking forward to planning for 2022, reach out to us!