Weddings have always been a special occasion, an opportunity for a couple to declare their love for one another in front of family and friends. But with the onslaught of Covid-19, people have had to revaluate how they want to proclaim their commitment to one another. Before Covid-19, big, extravagant weddings with huge guest lists were common, providing an environment for family and friends to interact. Because of Texas guidelines cutting venue occupancy in half, Lavish weddings are no longer possible.
So before you plan your wedding, we recommend asking yourself these questions to help you and your partner determine your expectations and how they might be adapted to Covid-19.
Can you wait to get married?
Weigh the risks of wedding now, with Covid-19 cases spiking again, all of us should evaluate our urgency to have big events. For some of you, waiting to get married isn’t an option for a variety of reasons….
What kind of wedding format are you looking for?
If you cannot wait to get married there is an option for you. Elopement’s are small wedding ceremonies conducted at venue’s with cozy little chapel’s, bringing together close, immediate family and friends to celebrate and witness your declaration of love for each other.
Remember bigger weddings require bigger venue’s.
When considering your venue for your wedding, you need to contemplate not only occupancy but decoration. Texas residents need to remember that occupancy is limited to half, so if a venue would normally have a occupancy limit of 250, it could now hold less than 125.
With many people hurting economically, considering a venue that has already been decorated with artifacts like chandelier’s, paintings, crystal, flowers, candles, pottery, and stained glass like a cultural museum can be a smart choice if you wish to save money, support your community, or have a theme wedding at a lower cost.
Once you have your venue, the next precaution you need to take is safety. Many venue’s in response to Covid-19 have changed their policies to abide by state guidelines such as social distancing and masks. Consider using these tips to keep, you, your partner, and your guests safe.
Safety, Safety, Safety
Hand washing/temperature check station.
With the continued concern of Covid-19, hand washing and cleanliness is of high priority. Setting up hand washing stations is the best way to achieve this. In your venue lobby, set up a table capable of maintaining social distancing while taking temperature using a forehead thermometer. Set up handless hand sanitizer dispensers and 6 foot distancing signage on the floor of the lobby. Have signage on your website, outside, and inside the venue stating masks are required inside at all times except when eating or when taking pictures with the official wedding photographer.
The Bar.
A bartender that serves guests at their tables is highly advised. This would discourage guests from crowding around the bar.
The Seating.
Seating is a high priority for weddings, planning where the happy couple sits, who grandma is seated next to, and whether Aunt Mary should sit next to Uncle James can be stressful for whoever is planning the wedding. With Covid-19 guidelines cutting occupancy in half, couples and wedding planners are having to narrow down their guest lists to essential family and friends.
When planning seating for wedding’s, we must remember to seat everyone 6 feet apart to maintain social distancing. This means cutting normal table seating in half, for example, the standard 60 inch table used at weddings can normally seat 8 to 10 guests. With the new occupancy guidelines, 4 to 5 is now the recommended seating. But there is an exception to this rule and that is a family of more than 5 people that arrive together, they may be seated at the same table.
Jordan Luce