Franklin Dean
Planning a wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a unique set of challenges, with many couples having to adapt their wedding plans to adhere to social distancing guidelines. From reducing guest lists to providing hand sanitiser, there are many ways to ensure social distancing is maintained at a wedding reception. This paragraph will explore some of the ways in which social distancing can be achieved, while still creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for the happy couple and their guests.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Venue | Choose a larger venue to allow for social distancing |
| Guest List | Keep the guest list small |
| Seating | Seat guests 6 feet apart, keeping households together |
| Masks | Provide face masks for guests and ask them to wear them at all times, especially indoors |
| Hand Sanitizer | Make hand sanitizer readily available in different areas of the wedding venue |
| Sanitization | Increase sanitization practices, with staff frequently wiping down surfaces |
| Games and Activities | Organize socially-distanced games and activities, such as a digital scavenger hunt, to keep guests entertained |
| Food | Consider a relaxing afternoon tea instead of a meal |
| Timing | Finish the event by around 7 pm to help maintain social distancing |
| Communication | Inform guests about social distancing rules and any changes to the wedding due to the pandemic |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Provide hand sanitiser and face masks
Providing hand sanitiser and face masks is a simple yet effective way to help guests stay safe and maintain good hygiene at your wedding. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate these into your special day:
Hand Sanitiser
- Place hand sanitiser in easily accessible areas such as the entryway, reception tables, bar, and restrooms.
- Provide individual bottles or sprays of hand sanitiser as favours for each guest, perhaps with custom labels to match your wedding theme.
- Encourage extra hand-washing by offering disposable "Wash Your Hands" guest towels in the bathrooms.
- Have hand sanitiser, disinfecting wipes, and cleaner-filled spray bottles readily available to ensure surfaces can be cleaned before and during the wedding festivities.
Face Masks
- Include a face mask with the wedding invitation, so guests are prepared and aware of the safety measures in place.
- Provide face masks at the entryway of the ceremony and reception sites for guests to wear, especially when indoors.
- Encourage guests to wear masks at all times, and consider colour-coding or customising the masks with ribbons or badges to match your wedding colours or theme.
By providing hand sanitiser and face masks, you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all your guests as they celebrate this special day with you.
Wedding Venues: Catering Flexibility or Strict Control?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Space tables 6 feet apart
Spacing tables 6 feet apart at a wedding reception is a great way to ensure social distancing and keep your guests safe. Here are some tips to achieve this:
Firstly, calculate the space needed by taking your total guest count, dividing it by two, and multiplying that number by 4.5. This will give you an idea of how many tables you will need and how much space to allocate for each. Remember to also consider the shape of the tables; rectangular tables will require more space than round tables.
For rectangular tables, aim for at least 72 inches between each, and for round tables, allow a minimum of 60 inches. If you're using banquet tables, they will need about 5 feet of space between them to accommodate chairs and walkways. You can also use newspaper templates to experiment with different layouts without moving heavy furniture.
In addition, ensure there is enough space for guests to comfortably walk and sit. Allow at least 24-30 inches of space between the back of each chair and the table behind it. The aisle should be at least 60 inches wide, and the distance between chair rows should be a minimum of 24 inches.
To encourage social distancing, provide a helpful reminder with a sign at your venue. You can also include a card with your wedding invitations, detailing the social distancing measures you will be taking, so guests know what to expect.
By spacing tables 6 feet apart and implementing these additional measures, you can create a safe and enjoyable environment for your wedding guests.
The Perfect Venue: When to Book Your Wedding
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Customise wedding Mad Libs
Planning a wedding during a pandemic can be challenging, but there are ways to ensure your special day is both safe and fun. Customised wedding Mad Libs are a great way to entertain your guests and keep them engaged during the reception. Here are some ideas to customise wedding Mad Libs and incorporate them into your big day:
Customisation Ideas
Customise your wedding Mad Libs to match your wedding theme or colour palette. You can include a background photo, such as your favourite engagement picture, or insert your initials in a heart design. If you're crafty, you can make your own Mad Libs or find printable templates online. Websites like Etsy offer a range of unique, customisable options, and you can even include your wedding colour palette.
Mad Libs as a Guest Book
Instead of a traditional guest book, Mad Libs can be a fun way for guests to offer marriage advice or share their well wishes. You can provide a decorative box or binder for guests to drop off their completed Mad Libs, which will make for a hilarious read later on. This is a great way to keep your guests entertained while they wait for their meals or during any downtime at the reception.
Mad Libs as a Reception Game
Place customised Mad Libs on tables around the reception for guests to pick up and fill out throughout the night. This is a fun icebreaker to get everyone talking and laughing. You can even turn it into a game by asking guests to include specific words or phrases related to your love story. The options are endless!
Mad Libs for Pre-Wedding Events
If you're looking for a fun activity at your bridal shower or bachelorette party, Mad Libs are a perfect choice. You can find themed Mad Libs, such as "How They Met" or "Saying Yes to the Dress." These games will have your friends and family in stitches as they fill in the blanks with their creative responses.
Mad Libs as RSVPs
Swap out traditional RSVP cards with mini Mad Libs to add a playful element to your wedding invitations. You can even make it an interactive online submission with an editable PDF. This is a great way to increase your RSVP response rate and get your guests excited about the wedding.
Remember, it's important to communicate any social distancing measures you're implementing to your guests ahead of time. This can be done through your wedding website or by including a separate enclosure card with your invitations. By providing hand sanitiser, face masks, and ensuring your venue follows sanitisation practices, you can keep your guests safe while they enjoy the festivities.
Wedding Vows: Storytelling or Traditional?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Digital scavenger hunt
Planning a wedding reception is no easy feat, especially when you want to ensure your guests are social distancing. One way to keep your guests entertained and engaged while maintaining their personal space is by organising a digital scavenger hunt. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Planning and Preparation
Firstly, decide on a theme that aligns with your wedding's overall style. This could be vintage-themed, beach-themed, or elegant and romantic. Next, select a time for the scavenger hunt. Will it take place during cocktail hour, after dinner, or throughout the entire reception? It's also important to have someone oversee the game, whether it's a member of the wedding party or a hired coordinator.
Creating the Scavenger Hunt
Craft clues and challenges that are engaging but not too difficult. Here are some ideas:
- Photo Challenges: Guests can capture specific moments or items related to the wedding, such as the newlyweds kissing, a group selfie, or finding hidden vintage props.
- Riddles: Create riddles that lead guests to different locations around the venue, perhaps incorporating significant places from the couple's relationship.
- Trivia Questions: Include questions about the couple's history or fun facts about the wedding party.
Ensure that the locations you select are accessible and safe for all guests.
Execution
Announce the scavenger hunt to your guests and emphasise the fun and prizes. You can even offer a small reward for everyone who completes the hunt. Provide printed scavenger hunt cards or booklets, and consider giving out pens or pencils. Don't forget to remind guests to use your wedding hashtag when they post their photos on social media. You can also hire a photographer or ask a friend to take pictures of guests during the game, capturing cherished memories.
By incorporating a digital scavenger hunt, your wedding reception will be filled with laughter, interaction, and unique memories, all while maintaining a safe social distance.
Finding the Perfectly-Sized Wedding Venue
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Smaller guest list
One of the most effective ways to ensure social distancing at a wedding reception is to reduce the number of guests. This means that the wedding venue does not have to be as large, and it will be easier to ensure that guests remain six feet apart at all times.
A smaller guest list may also result in a lower overall budget, despite the cost per head being higher. This is because the total number of guests will be lower than originally planned.
If you are reducing your guest list, it is a good idea to still send wedding favours to those who are unable to attend. This will ensure that they do not feel forgotten and can still share in the celebration.
You can also ask guests to share their photos and videos so that those who could not attend can still feel involved. This can be done via a screen at the reception, where guests can upload their photos and videos, or by sharing them with you after the wedding.
It is important to inform your vendors if you are reducing your guest list. This will allow them to innovate and help you redistribute your budget. For example, instead of making centrepieces, the florist can add more flowers to the background.
Tipping Etiquette: Wedding Reception Servers
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It is important to communicate the social distancing rules to your guests ahead of time, so they know what to expect. You can do this via your wedding website, or include a card with your invitations. At the venue, ensure there is signage reminding guests to social distance, and provide hand sanitiser and face masks at the entryway. During the reception, guests should be seated 6 feet apart, with different households kept separate.
There are many games and activities that can be enjoyed while social distancing. For example, you could leave Mad Libs on tables for guests to fill out, or send them on a digital scavenger hunt, capturing wedding moments on their phones. You could also provide an afternoon tea, or hire a DJ to play music for up to 5 hours.
Speak to your vendors about your plans to social distance. Inform your caterers that you are reducing your guest list, and ask them to weigh in on any improvements you can make to the catering to accommodate social distancing. For example, instead of centrepieces, you could ask the florist to add more flowers to the background.
Opt for a venue that is spacious enough to allow for social distancing. If you are inviting a large number of guests, you may need to rent a larger space. EnterTRAINment Junction in Ohio, USA, is one example of a venue that offers ample space for social distancing.
