Planning a Wedding During a Pandemic
We are now several months into this pandemic, and it’s clear that things are not going to be going “back to normal” anytime soon - and “normal” may not mean what it used to, either.
In the wedding industry, that uncertainty has been devastating for people who want to marry as well as vendors. If you were planning to get married in 2020, you’re now dealing with 1) postponing everything to next year and hoping that things ARE actually better by then; 2) giving up on your wedding dreams and just having a small ceremony within gathering guidelines in your community, or 3) having a small ceremony this year AND postponing your full reception to next year and hoping that things ARE actually better by then.
None of these options are easy and many things are lost in the process of any of them - not just money, but hopes and dreams, too. But within those options, there’s still room for making and capturing unforgettable memories, and that’s where I can help! Interspersing my advice with some of my favorite wedding photos because this is a blog and beauty still exists and I want you to remember it’s going to be okay, and we’re going to get amazing photos of your wedding, whenever it happens to be <3
You can visit my wedding info page to read about small wedding packages for this weird moment we’re living in, or keep scrolling through some pretty photos to check out my recommendations:
Things change pretty often, as numbers go up and down - be aware of your locality’s situation. You can start on my coronavirus info page to find out details about the regions I generally shoot in, but as states progress through their reopening plans, each one - and sometimes different localities within each state - has different regulations and restrictions. It’s important to find out what will be allowed - how many people can you host in one private gathering? Outdoors or indoors? - before finalizing plans.
Consult with family and guests, and consider all the most important factors in deciding what to do. Think about:
How many guests have you invited? Will any of them have to travel?
Are any of your guests or family members elderly or immunocompromised?
Are the dates you’re considering within the range of certain government restrictions, like Phases 2 or 3 of reopening plans? What are the specific guidelines for each phase for public/private gatherings in each phase?
How important to you are each of the factors, such as season, location and venue, a particular photographer or stylist, a specific guest list?
Okay! Breathe through the next set of fun wedding moments before reading my suggestions for various options:
If you need to postpone, find a range of alternate dates and then consult with your vendors. It is best if you can come up with a number of dates that work for you and your families. Then consult with each of your vendors on the dates that they are available. Even if we may have different contracts and policies, all of us are more than happy to work with you on moving your contract to a new date if we are available. Many clients have already done this successfully! My own policies state that if you have already paid your non-refundable deposit, I can transfer that deposit to another date if I am available on that date; if I am not, we will work together to figure out the best solution. Be sure you find out each vendor’s specific policies and flexibility.
If any of your vendors are not available on your chosen dates, ask them for recommendations for others! Most venues, decorators, photographers, and other vendors are part of large networks and can help refer you to other reputable, talented professionals if one of them will simply not be available for your alternate dates. Don’t be afraid to ask! As wedding vendors, we’re not going to survive this without helping each other, either, and after more than a decade in business, I am proud to recommend a great selection of not only venues, decorators, makeup artists and videographers but also some incredible photographers, if I can’t make your alternate date.
If postponement isn’t going to work for you, or you prefer to actually get married this year and host a reception later, an intimate wedding within health guidelines is a perfect idea. Outdoors is safest - think a small gathering at a park, or in a backyard. A nikah or other vows ceremony can be done with a safe number of people, socially distanced, in a beautiful location - and it won’t be any less joyful or full of love and celebration. Be sure to keep any vendors present - photographer, videographer, officiant, food servers, etc. - in your total guest count, since most locations have gathering limitations of anywhere between 10-50 individuals, or more if your state is further along in its reopening plans. As masks are required in almost every situation, consider getting masks for your guests to wear; there are many resources for custom guest masks and even custom bridal masks to match your dress!
Let it go. Let go of expectations and try to be as flexible as you can. Shop locally instead of ordering from far away - supporting local businesses who are suffering can be an added bonus. And things are changing so fast - any major decision you make this week might be derailed by another major development next week. Hold off on big decisions until things are more stable - whenever that will be! It’s going to be okay, if we can help each other through this!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions! And now for a last set of photos from some of my most gorgeous, fun weddings to remind you that no matter what, we’ll create the perfect wedding memories for you together:
