Planning A Socially Distant Wedding: A Guide For Couples

Planning a wedding is stressful at the best of times, but when you throw social distancing into the mix, it can feel like a daunting task. However, there are plenty of resources available to help you plan a safe, memorable and unique wedding. From minimonies to micro weddings, there are ways to make social distancing at your wedding feel less awkward and more fun.

Choose a location that allows for social distancing, such as an outdoor venue or a spacious hall

When it comes to choosing a location for your social-distanced wedding, it's important to select a venue that allows for ample space between guests. Opting for an outdoor venue or a spacious hall can provide the necessary room for social distancing. Here are some key considerations when choosing a location:

Firstly, consider the size of your guest list. If you're planning a minimony or a micro wedding with a smaller guest list, you'll require less space. A minimony typically involves an intimate ceremony, with the larger celebration saved for a later date. On the other hand, a micro wedding includes the full wedding experience but with a limited number of guests, usually under 20 people. By keeping your guest list small, you can ensure that your chosen venue provides enough room for social distancing.

Secondly, when selecting an outdoor venue, look for open spaces that allow for natural social distancing. Consider venues with expansive lawns, gardens, or even beachfront access, where guests can comfortably spread out. If you opt for a spacious hall, choose a venue with a large indoor area that can accommodate your guest list while maintaining a safe distance between individuals.

Additionally, pay attention to the layout of the venue. Look for spaces that offer flexibility in arranging seating or standing areas to ensure guests can maintain a safe distance. Consider venues with multiple rooms or areas, providing guests with options to move around and find quieter spaces.

Finally, don't forget to communicate with your venue coordinator or staff. Discuss your social distancing requirements and work together to create a floor plan that accommodates your needs. They may have experience hosting similar events and can offer valuable insights into making your wedding both safe and enjoyable for your guests.

Arrange seating to ensure guests can maintain a safe distance

Arranging seating for a social-distanced wedding is a key part of the planning process. Firstly, you should choose a venue that allows for social distancing, such as an outdoor space or a large hall. This will make it easier to arrange seating with enough space between guests.

When it comes to the seating arrangements, you should aim to keep guests at least six feet apart. This may mean spacing out chairs or tables further than usual, or using a mix of seating and standing areas to give guests more room to move around. If you're having a more intimate wedding, you could also consider a minimony, which is a small ceremony followed by a larger celebration at a later date. This way, you can keep your guest list extra small (usually under 20 people), making it easier to maintain a safe distance.

Another option is to provide guests with fun, personalised masks as party favours. This can add a unique touch to your wedding and encourage guests to keep their masks on throughout the event.

Finally, don't be afraid to get creative with your seating arrangements. You could use unique seating options, such as hay bales or bean bags, to add a fun element to your wedding while still ensuring guests have enough space.

Consider a minimony or micro wedding

If you're planning a social distance wedding, you may want to consider a minimony or micro wedding. A minimony is a small, intimate ceremony with a larger party at a later date, while a micro wedding is a full wedding with a very small guest list (usually under 20 people). Both options work well with a large, open venue so that guests can keep a safe distance from each other. If you choose to ask your guests to wear masks, you could create masks as a party favour for them to wear throughout the night.

When planning a minimony or micro wedding, it's important to choose a location that allows for social distancing, such as an outdoor venue or a spacious hall. You should also arrange seating to ensure that guests can maintain a safe distance from one another.

Create a video or document for guests to explain what they need to do

Planning a social-distanced wedding can be a daunting task, but there are many ways to ensure your guests feel safe and comfortable. One of the most important things you can do is to communicate with your guests ahead of time, letting them know what to expect and what they need to do. Creating a video or document for your guests to explain the safety measures in place and what is expected of them is a great way to do this.

• A clear explanation of the social distancing measures in place, such as the requirement to maintain a six-foot distance from others and the use of masks. You could also add a fun twist to mask-wearing by providing them as party favours.
• Details of the venue and how it will facilitate social distancing, such as an outdoor space or a spacious hall.
• Seating arrangements and how these will ensure social distancing.
• Any other safety measures or guidelines that guests should be aware of, such as hand sanitising stations or one-way systems.

By providing this information in advance, your guests will know what to expect and can feel reassured that their safety is a priority. This will help to ensure that your wedding is a memorable and enjoyable day for all, even with social distancing in place.

Use multiple cameras to capture different angles of the ceremony

Planning a wedding is stressful at the best of times, but social distancing requirements can make it seem even more daunting. However, there are plenty of resources available to help you plan a safe, memorable and unique wedding.

One way to make your wedding feel more intimate and special is to use multiple cameras to capture different angles of the ceremony. This can be done with smartphones, GoPros, webcams or any device that can connect to a streaming platform. By setting up multiple cameras, you can create a professional-looking broadcast that will capture the magic of your special day.

To get the best results, it's important to do your research. Watch streamers and tutorials on YouTube to learn how to set up your stream and cameras for a seamless broadcast. You can also explore online forums and communities for tips and advice from other couples who have successfully hosted social distance weddings.

It's also a good idea to do a test run before the big day. Livestream something else, like your cat, to see how the process works and double-check the internet situation at your venue. Once you feel comfortable, you can help your guests understand what they'll need to do on the day by putting together a video or an easy-to-read document with screenshots.

Frequently asked questions