Weddings Unveiled: Adapting To Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the way weddings are celebrated. While some couples have opted to postpone their weddings, elope, or host virtual ceremonies, others are choosing to tie the knot in-person, adapting their celebrations to comply with local guidelines. This includes reducing guest lists, enforcing social distancing and mask mandates, and opting for plated meals and outdoor celebrations. However, the effectiveness of these measures varies, and weddings have been identified as potential super-spreader events, with guests and vendors contracting COVID-19 despite precautions. The decision to host a wedding during the pandemic has sparked debates about personal responsibility and the potential risks to loved ones.

Guest lists and social distancing

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the wedding industry as we know it. While the pandemic is still ongoing, the world is slowly reopening, and weddings are returning to pre-pandemic numbers. However, many of the changes that were implemented during the pandemic are still in place.

Reduced Guest Lists

Due to restrictions on large gatherings, guest lists have been significantly reduced during the pandemic. Couples are opting for more curated guest lists, focusing on immediate family and close friends rather than extended family and work colleagues. This reduction in guest numbers allows for better social distancing and a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Social Distancing Measures

Social distancing has become an important aspect of weddings during the pandemic. Couples are encouraged to work with their venues to create socially distant seating arrangements for guests during the ceremony and reception. Spacing out chairs and tables, or using standing room, allows guests to maintain a safe distance from one another.

Additionally, couples may opt for outdoor weddings or incorporate open-air elements to provide more space for guests. Backyard weddings have gained popularity due to their intimate nature and ability to facilitate social distancing.

Health and Safety Protocols

To ensure the safety of guests, couples are encouraged to communicate the health and safety measures that will be implemented at their weddings. These measures may include temperature checks, mask mandates, and hand sanitizing stations. Guests are also advised to follow vaccination and testing requirements or guidelines.

Alternative Greetings

Traditional receiving lines, where couples and their families greet each guest, may be replaced by contactless greetings to maintain social distancing. This could include cultural gestures like bows or more casual options like a "gesture line" with winks and waves.

Food Service

Buffets are no longer considered safe, and couples are opting for plated meals or, if they prefer a self-serve option, multiple smaller food stations. This reduces the number of people gathering in one place and minimizes contact with communal serving utensils.

Dance Floors

Dance floors present a challenge when it comes to social distancing. Some couples have opted for satellite dance floors or satellite bars to provide multiple spaces for guests to dance and move around, reducing crowding.

Weddings during the COVID-19 pandemic have required creativity and flexibility from couples, wedding planners, and venues. While guest lists have been reduced, the focus on creating a safe and enjoyable experience for guests has been paramount. Social distancing, health and safety protocols, alternative greetings, and adjustments to food service and dance floors have all played a part in ensuring that weddings can take place while minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Masks and other safety measures

Masks

• Masks are a critical accessory for wedding guests, and it is recommended to bring your own face covering to ensure comfort and a proper fit.
• Couples are encouraged to provide masks for their guests, but it is a good idea for guests to bring their own as well.
• In some states, like Ohio, masks are not required for vaccinated individuals in indoor settings. However, it is important to follow local and state mandates, as rules may vary.
• If the wedding is held indoors and guests are not vaccinated, wearing a mask is strongly advised.
• For outdoor weddings, masks may be optional for vaccinated individuals but should be easily accessible if needed.

Other Safety Measures

• Social distancing is vital, and guests should maintain a distance of at least six feet from others. This may require expanding tables and chairs to create more space.
• Arrival times should be staggered to prevent guests from congregating at the entrance.
• Food should be served individually plated rather than as a buffet to avoid guests gathering in close proximity.
• Temperature checks and other screenings for COVID-19 symptoms may be implemented at the entrance to identify potentially infected individuals.
• Hand sanitizing stations should be readily available, encouraging good hand hygiene.
• Dancing may be restricted or limited to ensure social distancing. If allowed, consider providing a large dance floor to accommodate distancing.
• Communicate safety measures to guests ahead of time through the wedding website or invitations. This includes expectations for masks, social distancing, and any other precautions.
• If possible, hold the wedding outdoors, as this significantly reduces the risk of virus transmission.
• If holding the wedding indoors, ensure proper ventilation and air circulation to reduce the risk of airborne virus spread.
• Consider providing guests with welcome gifts or favors that include hand sanitizer and masks, ensuring everyone has access to these essential items.

These measures can help create a safer environment for weddings during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing couples to celebrate their special day while prioritizing the health and safety of their guests.

Food and drink

Appetizers and Cocktail Hour

Instead of guests moving around the room and sampling food from stations, caterers are recommending that guests remain seated at their tables during cocktail hour. Bento boxes, individual cheese boards, and crudités are being served to guests to avoid the use of communal utensils and sauces. Pre-packaged and pre-plated options are also being offered, ensuring that guests have a variety of COVID-friendly appetizers to choose from.

Bar Service

Bar service varies depending on location. In some states, plexiglass screens are placed between bartenders and guests, and masks are worn by those ordering drinks. In other states, traditional bar setups are prohibited, and beverages are passed butler-style or served directly to seated guests.

Meals

Plated dinners are becoming more popular as they allow for better social distancing. Family-style service is also an option, particularly for guests who are already in close contact, such as family or friends quarantining together. Buffets are still possible, but with increased safety measures. More staff are required to monitor guests, ensure social distancing, and serve food to avoid guests approaching the buffet themselves.

Desserts

Desserts, including wedding cakes, are being served pre-plated and directly to guests. Instead of large dessert buffets, guests may receive their own assortment of treats like cupcakes, cake pops, and jarred desserts.

Food Safety and Catering Staff

Caterers are adjusting to ever-changing state and local guidelines, and it's important for couples to closely follow these regulations. Catering staff have increased safety measures, including temperature checks, screening forms, face masks, gloves, and proper handwashing and sanitizing. These measures help ensure the safety of guests while providing a delicious culinary experience.

Dancing

The UK government's stance on dancing at weddings received criticism from some industry members, who felt that weddings had been "forgotten and ignored". A campaign group called What About Weddings urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to review the guidance and ensure that all restrictions on weddings were removed by 21 June 2021. They argued that people could attend indoor Zumba classes but not dance at weddings, and that guests could hug their family members outdoors but not walk with them down the aisle.

The restrictions on dancing at weddings were particularly frustrating for guests, who missed the "free-for-all" nature of wedding dancing, where people of all generations and abilities are united by cheesy songs. Wedding dancing is a chance for guests to let loose and enjoy themselves after the formalities of the ceremony and the often-agonising small talk over underwhelming food. It is a time when, after a few drinks, concerns about how one looks on the dance floor disappear, and even flash mob routines from guests can be a hit.

While some couples decided not to have a first dance due to the awkwardness of performing alone, others embraced the opportunity to have their moment as a newly married couple. However, with COVID-19 cases still a concern, it is unclear when, or if, wedding dancing will return to its pre-pandemic glory.

The role of venues

Venues also had to implement new safety measures to protect guests and staff from the spread of COVID-19. This included temperature checks, mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing, and enhanced cleaning protocols. In some cases, venues had to close dance floors and enforce restrictions on food service, such as eliminating self-serve buffets and opting for plated meals instead. These measures significantly impacted the traditional wedding experience, but they were necessary to ensure the safety of all involved.

The pandemic also led to the rise of virtual weddings, with venues shut down and large gatherings prohibited. Companies like Wedfuly offered virtual wedding planning services, utilizing platforms like Zoom to allow couples to tie the knot in front of their loved ones remotely. This option provided a safe and affordable alternative for couples who wanted to proceed with their weddings despite the pandemic.

Additionally, venues had to be flexible and accommodating to couples facing challenges due to the pandemic. Many weddings were postponed or rescheduled, and venues worked with couples to find new dates and adapt their plans. Some venues offered packages geared towards smaller or micro-weddings, allowing couples to celebrate with immediate family and close friends, often with a virtual component for guests who couldn't attend in person.

Frequently asked questions