Weddings Amidst Covid: Making Your Special Day Memorable

Planning a wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic can be challenging, but there are ways to make the day special. Couples may opt for a small, intimate wedding, which can be more budget-friendly and allow for splurging on things like professional videography, flowers, or a wedding dress. Micro-weddings, with just close family and friends, can be made special with unique backdrops, virtual components, and safety measures like temperature checks and customised masks and hand sanitisers. Virtual guests can be included through group video calls, and drive-by celebrations can ensure the couple safely spends time with loved ones. Couples can also elope and plan a larger celebration later, or opt for a destination wedding in a scenic location.

Involve guests in the setup, music, and photos

Involving your guests in the setup, music, and photos of your wedding can make your special day more engaging and memorable for everyone. Here are some ideas to achieve this:

Setup

Involving your guests in the setup can make your wedding more intimate and unique. Here are some ways to do this:

• Greet your guests at the beginning of your wedding day. This can make the ceremony feel more intimate, especially if you have a smaller guest list.
• Arrange the chairs in a circle with you and your spouse in the centre. This way, your guests can feel more engaged in the ceremony and you can deeply feel their presence and love.
• If you're having a virtual wedding, test your setup beforehand. Ensure your WiFi is strong enough to stream without glitches and mark the device's placement with an "X" during practice so there's no question about its placement on the day.
• Designate a video moderator to manage the livestream, including muting guests and manoeuvring the camera to give virtual guests a more complete view.

Music

Music is a great way to engage your guests and make the ceremony more interactive. Here are some ideas:

• Ask your guests to sing along during the ceremony. If music is a big part of your relationship or there's a meaningful song you want to include, invite your guests to sing along. Provide the lyrics or hand out kazoos for a fun twist.
• Include your guests in a surprise performance, like a flash mob dance down the aisle.
• Play awesome music during the recessional and encourage everyone to dance.

Photos

Capturing memories through photos is an essential part of your wedding. Here are some ways to involve your guests in this process:

• Use disposable cameras on each table. This is a fun, nostalgic way to get your guests involved, but it may not be eco-friendly, and guests won't be able to see the photos unless you share them digitally.
• Provide mini polaroid-style cameras that produce instant tangible photos. These can be a fun favour for your guests, but they may be pricey if you want one for each table, and you'll need to remind your guests to leave the photos for you.
• Share a Google Photos or Dropbox link with your guests to collect all the photos in one place.
• Create a unique wedding hashtag for social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. This way, you can easily find and collect photos from your guests. However, your photos will be public, and guests without social media won't be able to contribute.
• Use a specialised service like WaldoWed, which allows guests to upload photos via a QR code or text. This service also includes facial recognition and automated photo delivery.

Involving your guests in these aspects of your wedding will create a more engaging and memorable experience for everyone, ensuring your COVID wedding is truly special.

Splurge on the fine details: videography, flowers, and food

Videography

Videography is a must-have for your wedding, and there are many styles to choose from. If you want a classic, traditional video, you can expect a slow cinematic music fade-in with audio of the officiant welcoming everyone, and a chronological order of shots from the day. For something more modern, a documentary-style video captures raw moments as they happen, with no background music, only the audio from the day. For a fun, surprising, and high-energy option, choose a hype-style video, which usually includes short clips with fast cuts and high-energy music.

Flowers

When it comes to flowers, you can still have your dream floral arrangements without breaking the bank. Opt for local and seasonal blooms, which will be less expensive, and consider choosing flowers that are readily available year-round, such as carnations, roses (buy in bulk!), mums, and larkspur. If you have a specific type of flower in mind, use it sparingly to enhance a special décor moment, such as adorning the bride and groom's chairs. You can also mix and match centerpiece styles, with some tables having candle-centric designs and others having floral-based centerpieces.

Food

Food is often remembered as one of the most important parts of a wedding, so it's worth putting some thought and money into it. Many people say that food at weddings is mediocre, so why not seek out amazing food that you know your guests will love? Consider food trucks, which are a fun and unique option. Pizza, Mexican, and sushi are all popular choices that your guests will rave about. If you want something more elegant, try a local restaurant that can cater to your wedding. Or, if you want to save money, opt for a buffet, which tends to keep food hotter and fresher than plated meals.

Create a virtual guest list with no geographical restrictions

One of the silver linings of a Covid wedding is that it can connect people from all over the world. If you're inviting a small group in person, you can still include your wider circle by adding a live stream component via Zoom. Ask a tech-savvy relative, or hire someone, to set up the streaming link. That way, your guest list isn't restricted by geography—you can invite people from across the globe to witness your ceremony.

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to virtual guests. First, make sure to give your guests clear instructions, especially if they are unfamiliar with the video-hosting platform. Ask them to download any necessary software ahead of time and sign on early. It's also a good idea to ask them to mute themselves unless they are giving a toast or sharing a few words with the couple.

You can also encourage your virtual guests to dress up or dress according to a theme to make the day feel special for everyone. Additionally, consider opening up the virtual "floor" for people to share a few words with the couple, so that even those who can't be there in person can feel like they are part of the celebration.

Finally, don't forget to send a photo wedding announcement card to those who can't attend. This way, they can still share in your joy and celebrate with you, even if they can't be there in person.

Test your virtual setup in advance to avoid tech snafus

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly impacted the wedding industry, with many couples opting for virtual or hybrid celebrations to ensure the safety of their guests. To make your COVID wedding special, it is crucial to pay attention to the virtual setup and test it in advance to avoid any technical difficulties. Here are some detailed instructions to help you navigate this process:

Firstly, choose a suitable online platform for your virtual wedding. Popular options include Zoom, HouseParty, WhatsApp, and Paperless Post, each offering unique features and capabilities. Test out the platform by creating an account and familiarising yourself with its functions. Practice initiating video calls, sharing screens, and using other relevant features you plan to utilise during your wedding. This will ensure that you are comfortable with the technology and can guide your guests if needed.

Next, consider your internet connection. A stable and strong internet connection is crucial for a seamless virtual wedding. Test your WiFi speed and, if possible, conduct a trial run at the same time of day as your wedding to account for potential bandwidth issues. This is especially important if you anticipate many guests using the internet simultaneously. Contact your internet service provider if you have concerns about your connection's stability or speed.

Now, let's talk about equipment. For your virtual wedding to be successful, you will need the right equipment, such as a computer, webcam, microphone, and speakers. Test the quality of these devices by conducting a trial run with a friend or family member. Ensure that your webcam provides a clear and focused image, and the microphone captures audio without excessive background noise. Test different positions and angles for the camera to find the most flattering and aesthetically pleasing setup. Mark the spot with tape to ensure the camera is placed correctly on the big day.

Additionally, create a backup plan. Technology can be unpredictable, so it's wise to have a plan B in case of unexpected issues. This could include having a secondary internet connection option, such as a mobile hotspot, or designating a tech-savvy person to troubleshoot any problems that may arise during the wedding. You may also want to consider hiring a professional livestreaming service to manage the virtual aspect of your wedding, ensuring a seamless experience for your guests.

Lastly, don't forget to involve your guests in the trial run. Invite your guests to participate in a test call, especially those who may be less familiar with the chosen platform. This will allow you to ensure that they can access the virtual wedding space and familiarise themselves with the features. It is also an opportunity to address any concerns or questions they may have.

By following these steps and testing your virtual setup in advance, you can minimise the risk of technical difficulties and ensure that your COVID wedding is a special and memorable occasion for you and your guests.

Keep guests safe with temperature checks and COVID tests

Keeping your guests safe is a top priority when planning a wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic. One way to do this is by implementing temperature checks and COVID tests. Here are some tips to make this process as smooth and effective as possible:

Firstly, it is important to communicate with your guests beforehand. Let them know that there will be temperature checks and COVID tests upon arrival and provide them with clear instructions on what to expect. This will help to reduce any confusion or delays on the day of the wedding.

For temperature checks, you can have a designated greeter at the entrance to greet guests and perform the checks. This person should be equipped with a no-contact thermometer to quickly and easily take each guest's temperature. Guests with a fever, which is a common symptom of COVID-19, will then be identified and can be asked to leave and self-isolate.

Alternatively, or in addition to temperature checks, you can require guests to provide a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival. This can be done by asking guests to show a physical or digital copy of their test result, preferably taken within 24-48 hours before the wedding. This ensures that those attending the wedding are less likely to be infectious.

To streamline the process, you could also consider setting up an online system where guests can submit their test results in advance. This way, you can keep a record of who has provided a negative test result and potentially speed up the entry process on the day.

It is also important to have a plan in place for guests who arrive without a negative test result or are displaying symptoms of COVID-19. You may want to consider providing rapid antigen tests at the venue for such instances, or you could offer to reimburse guests for the cost of a test if they can provide a receipt.

By implementing these measures, you can help ensure the safety and well-being of your guests while still creating a special and memorable wedding celebration.

Frequently asked questions