A magical and memorable time in a couples life. A time to look back on with fond, loving memories. Yet the year of 2020, will be a year that will never be forgotten.
Creating an abrupt halt to life as we know it, as employees discover the art of working from home, pubs and shops shut their doors, weddings were with a heavy heart forced to be either cancelled or rescheduled.
While we all attempt to ride out the storm and stay as safe as possible, planning and perfecting those finishing touches can be all a bride can do to stay sane. What can be certain, however, and that is even once the coronavirus outbreak has passed, the effects of the pandemic will alter and create further disruption to the wedding that you intended.
With this blog, we will highlight the top things that you need to be aware of when organising weddings after Covid-19 and how to ensure that you and your guests stay safe. All the while celebrating the union of the happy couple.
Changes to weddings after Covid-19
Ceremonies will be shorter
One of the first changes to the layout of weddings after Covid-19 and that is the length of the ceremonies. Now shorter in length, it is requested that ceremonies are kept to an acceptable time frame and where possible, completing only the legally binding parts.
Social distancing measures
If you are a couple who were planning a large, lavish wedding ceremony and that thought of holding off until 2021 does not appeal to you, then you will be expected to cut down on your celebrations. Along with a simpler affair, the amount of guests allowed to attend is also rapidly reduced. With no more than 50 people able to attend, this figure includes the couple and staff at the venue.
This reduced figure is to ensure that all guests can maintain the social distancing measures enforced at the time.
Another move to ensure that guests remain as safe as possible, the removal of singing and hymns during the ceremony is another alteration to weddings after Covid-19.
Live wedding bands are discouraged
You have conducted much research and have finally decided to hire a unique wedding band, promising an electric and fun atmosphere to celebrate the union of your wedding. After all that hard work and much deliberation, it may appear that you have no choice but to cancel your wedding band of choice.
This change is due to the latest guidance and to ensure the health and safety of guests. By removing the feature of bands and singers, recordings are recommended and at a noise level where guests don’t need to raise their voices.
While singers are to be avoided, so is the addition of wind or blown instruments where possible. This is to reduce the increased risk of droplets and aerosols being ejected across the room and potentially infecting guests.
To get around this guidance, when it comes to wedding entertainment ideas, we recommend you consider a live piano player, or instead opt for a live DJ to ignite the atmosphere in such a sombre time.
Health and safety comes first
Along with the above changes on weddings after Covid-19, the health and safety of the couple, guests and staff will need to be taken into consideration more so after the pandemic.
This can be achieved through the addition of protective screens, face coverings and even considering an outdoor wedding.
By taking the wedding al fresco and increasing the ventilation, guests can feel comfortable while sitting socially distanced from other guests.
The frequent washing of hands is also to be completed throughout the ceremony. Before and after the rings are exchanged, this cleaning can ensure that the rings stay clean and prevent contamination.
Walking down the aisle
A fundamental feature in the proceedings of a wedding and that is the father of the bride, walking his daughter down the aisle.
But what happens to walking down the aisle when conducting weddings after Covid-19?
If the two individuals live in the same household, a bride can be walked down the aisle arm in arm, while if they live in different households, a social distanced walk will need to be completed.
Receptions are to be avoided
This guidance is in line with the social distancing regulations and to ensure that guests continue to remain safe when attending the ceremony. If possible, it is recommended that receptions are to be cancelled.
Food and drinks are not to be consumed
One of the final changes to the dream wedding that you have planned and that is food and drinks are not permitted to be consumed.
This rule is only exempt if the food and drink feature a role within the wedding ceremony. This means no three course lunch and after ceremony drinks. And definitely no cutting of the cake to share with guests at the end of the wedding celebrations.
Wrap up
With a number of substantial changes to the proceedings of wedding ceremonies, no longer are weddings going to be glamorous and extravagant events.
Although only for the immediate future, the future of weddings in a year to come could be a completely different matter.
If you are a bride who has planned a large and glamourous wedding featuring a multiple tiered cake, a live jazz band and all the little extras, going ahead and having a limited wedding as detailed above can be heartbreaking.
This is where the couple need to make the hard decision to either delay the wedding, or choose to go ahead and get married and tie the knot with their significant other.
What would you do? Are you in the process of planning your wedding, or perhaps you have had to delay yours? We would love to hear from you and discover what decision you have made during these tough and unprecedented times.
Comment below and share your experience with us today.
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