Planning a wedding is typically a stressful event, but if you are planning one in 2021 you should anticipate various roadblocks. Overbooked venues, changing health guidelines and potentially not being able to set a date for several years are things couples can expect to experience. We are here to help you navigate your special day with tips and tricks we have picked up throughout this year.
Think Small
Consider a condensed guest list. A small guest list may make it easier to abide by local health ordinances and avoid having to push back your wedding date. Additionally, it may qualify you for smaller, more intimate venues that other couples with larger guest lists cannot use. Smaller weddings mean fewer people have to travel, which could also reduce exposure risk depending on where they are coming from.
Be Unconventional
The more traditional dates, times and venues are going to book up the quickest. Have a discussion with your partner and family about the possibility of doing a weekday wedding. This might mean you and your loved one get to tie the knot even sooner. This option isn’t the best fit for everyone though, which is why it could mean more availability for you and your partner.
Consider an At-Home Wedding
While home weddings have always been an option, they have become increasingly popular throughout the pandemic because they provide more stability for the couple. At-home weddings allow you to keep your preferred wedding date without competing against other couples or having to predict the health guidelines at the time. Planning an at-home wedding will take just as long, if not longer, than planning a wedding with a venue. With guests coming to your home you will want to make sure it is in the best condition it could be. Consider leveraging your home equity to spruce up your backyard, add a garden for your intimate ceremony or an expansion to entertaining areas of the house to accommodate more guests comfortably. These home updates will also benefit you long after the vows have been exchanged, and will save you money in the long run as this investment is recoupable if you chose to sell your home. These savings are unique to a home venue.
Write Out Your Policies
Part of the challenge of planning a wedding during a pandemic is making sure you are making the right choices to keep all of your loved ones safe. If you are in a public venue, you will likely be subject to the venues’ COVID policies. If planning a home wedding, you will be responsible for writing those policies out and making sure your guests are prepared.
Consider putting those policies in your invitation, as some guests might make decisions about their own safety based on them. If you are especially nervous, consider placing over-the-counter COVID tests in your guest’s hotel bags. Overall, these might make for some tough conversations with family members and friends, but this is your day and you need to decide what you feel is best.
Choose the Services You Trust the Most
Trusting the right people to make your wedding special will help make your day run smoothly in 2021, or any other year. Some couples may opt for a wedding planner, this person can point you in the right direction in terms of services for the wedding day. Decide on a caterer who you know will be on time, serve delicious food and can account for the dietary needs of you and your loved ones. Choose a photographer known for taking beautiful shots and who has a reputation for excellent service. Communicate with couples who are also planning, or just recently celebrated their weddings, to see what they would do the same and what they would do differently if they could.
Overall, whether it’s in 2021 or not, your wedding will be one of the most important days of your life. So, we hope you and your loved one have the day of your dreams while making decisions that are in the best interest of both parties. Think outside the box for the solutions to the problems that are giving you the most stress, as those might be the best options in these uncertain times.
