6 Important Things To Consider For Weddings During COVID-19

Andrew and Elisha Photography

It goes without saying that the past several months have been difficult on all of us. We have changed our daily behaviors and habits to an almost unrecognizable extent. Weddings in particular have been dramatically effected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and I wanted to share a few options couples have during this time to keep their weddings as safe as possible.

​First let's go over the facts. The more people you are around for an extended period of time, the greater the risk of COVID-19 exposure and spreading. 

The CDC classifies risk factor regarding weddings and events held during the pandemic:

1. ​Lowest risk is a virtual-only event.
2. More risk is with a smaller outdoor and in-person gathering in which individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, wear cloth face coverings, do not share objects, and come from the same local area (community, town, city, or county).
3. Higher risk is classified as a medium-sized in-person gathering, adapted to allow individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and with attendees coming from outside the local area.
4. Highest risk would be a large in-person gathering, where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area.

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Josh Felise

 6 Important things to consider to keep you and your guest ​as safe as possible during COVID-19. ​

ONE
Although wearing a mask is not ideal (I honestly don't know anyone who loves it), it is recommended by experts to keep yourself and others safe right now. So expect to have your guests wear a mask for any size wedding right now. Get creative and have custom masks with a design element from your wedding that can be pass out to guests as they arrive.

TWO
If holding a small ceremony during the pandemic's peak, consider omitting food and beverage, since it's essentially impossible to eat and drink with a mask on properly. Most venues have various size tables that can accommodate 2, 4, 6+ guests comfortably, so make sure to utilize them by seating only those residing with in the same household at each table. This careful precaution ensures that while masks are off for food and beverage (should you have it), only people who are living in the same household are near one another. All tables can be positioned at least 6 feet from one another as well. 

THREE
The more people at a gathering and the longer interactions last, the higher risk of becoming infected and spreading COVID-19. Always check with your state, local, and territorial or tribal safety laws and regulations for event size restrictions. 

FOUR
Insuring everyone's safety by not overcrowding spaces. Allowing 36-50 square feet per person is a good number to shoot for. Yes, this greatly decreases the number of guest that can attend, but your guest in attendance will be thankful you took these careful precautions. Check out our blog post on micro and virtual wedding options. 

FIVE
​Make sure guests have access to sanitation stations at entrances and exits. It is recommenced to have attendant outside bathrooms as well. This person can also monitor and limit crowing that tends to happen in restrooms at events and provide sanitizer for those who need it. For best practice, be sure to wash your hands with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds, and frequently throughout the evening (at least once an hour).  

SIX
Wedding are about getting close but during a pandemic, its imperative to stay physically distanced to limit the virus spread.  Include on your wedding website a few wedding expectations guest can prepare for, such as mask requirement, food and beverage expectations, and no hand shaking or hugging. Instead of hugging or hand shaking at the wedding, create a sweet gesture to represent a hug, kiss, etc., and post on your wedding website ahead of time. Your guests will see you doing the gesture and know you are thinking of them! ​