Many couples are facing the difficult task of planning their wedding during these strange times of worldwide pandemic. A wedding day should be a couple’s most memorable experience, and although current regulations and restrictions may make the day different than expected, with the right preparation, it’s still possible to have a beautiful day. Here are some of the top tips for wedding planning during the times of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Rules To Consider Before Wedding Planning
Before discussing the top tips for wedding planning, it’s important to be aware of the rules and regulations laid out for COVID-19. Here are a few precautions and recommendations that you may need to consider for your wedding:
- State regulations limit the number of people that can gather in a space. Check on your state’s recommendations before making plans and sending out invitations.
- Certain states require masks to be worn while in public. If you are planning to have a wedding in one of these states, you might want to consider having masks available or patrons or anyone that comes from out of state.
- In certain states, traveling to or from the state requires a mandatory quarantine for a set amount of time up to two weeks. If you have friends or family traveling for your wedding, check your state’s rules beforehand.
- Some states or counties have recommended curfews. Check in the area you’ll be hosting your wedding to make sure your party won’t break any curfews.
Asides from these main rules and regulations, you will also want to consider ways you can help your wedding guests to stay healthy and safe while at your wedding. Providing masks and hand sanitizer is one great way. You may also consider more spacious seating so guests can practice social distancing, or even moving your party outdoors if weather permits. You may also want to talk with a few family law attorneys to get information not only on the marriage requirements in your state but also for recommendations of how you can protect your family in case anyone were to get sick while at your wedding.
Wedding Planning Tips
Set A Budget
When it comes to the top tips for wedding planning, a budget is one of the number one things you need to do when you start your planning.
It’s no surprise that weddings are expensive events. When you consider the price for engagement rings, wedding attire, venue, food, flowers, photographer, travel, and more, it adds up fast. Sit down with your partner to plan your budget and talk about where you want to spend more money and where you’re okay cutting back or doing things on your own. Here are some steps you can take to successfully create your wedding budget:
- Start with cash: When you’re planning your wedding budget, the first area of funding you’ll want to check is any savings you or your partner have set aside. It’s as simple as checking your bank account and any hard cash you have to total what you’ve got to work with from there. If you’re lucky enough to have contributions from parents or other loved ones, you’ll take that into account here too.
- Calculate remaining costs with monthly income: The next of the top tips for wedding planning when it comes to a budget is calculating for the rest of your funding. You’ll need to first calculate the leftover earnings each month after bills. Decide on an amount to set aside in a separate account each month that goes towards your wedding budget.
- Plan to track your spending: Whether it’s saving receipts or making a detailed spreadsheet, tracking your spending is key to keeping a strict budget. Do some serious research to get a good idea of what you should plan for with each line item. This might also include calling a few potential venues and vendors to get quotes.
- Prepare for surprises: No matter how much you plan, there will always be surprises along the way. That’s why the next of the top tips for wedding planning is to prepare for surprises. For example, you may think you are booking a vendor that does affordable wedding flowers, but as you add new varieties or more bouquets, you’ll be surprised how fast the bill adds up. When you are making your budget, either create a line item for surprises or make sure that you haven’t budgeted for every cent of funding you have. Better to be safe than sorry.
- Know when to DIY and when to spend the money: Its become quite popular in the past few years to DIY elements of a wedding. While it’s a great way to spend money, it can also turn disastrous very quickly. One of the top tips for wedding planning is to learn when a DIY will save you time and money and when it will just cause undue stress. For example, DIYing corsages for the groomsmen, making centerpieces and photo backdrops, and other decorations could save you hundreds of dollars. Taking on all of the floral arrangements or planning to do all of the decorating yourself will cause stress and could end up costing more money in the long run.
Creating a budget and sticking to it is number one on the list of top tips for wedding planning. If you don’t plan properly, you’ll end up needing to use your credit card or personal loans more than you planned for. Over 20% of people experience stress claim that it’s due to debt, and you don’t want to become one of those due to wedding charges.
Consider Dates And Seasons
Especially nowadays will travel being limited due to COVID-19, you will have to take some time to consider different dates and seasons for your wedding. You may want to consider planning it during the off-season to ensure open vendors and venues. Especially if you’re hoping to have a destination wedding in a more tropical or warm climate, you want to plan for a time when the city will be less crowded. You will also want to avoid holidays and other high travel dates. However, you will also want to plan for the flu and cold season as that is a more dangerous time for COVID-19. These considerations may push you towards picking a more unique wedding venue, such as a family or friend’s backyard. As long as you take into consideration travel dates and higher risk seasons, you should be able to find a date that will work well for you and any wedding guests.
Don’t Skimp On The Venue
While COVID-19 regulations or your budget may push you to select a different venue than you had originally intended, don’t skimp out on your selection. Remember that your venue for both your ceremony and reception will be in your photographs forever, so you want to make sure to select a location that fits your theme and allows for a beautiful layout. Whether that’s an antique church, a woodsy area, or a more modern warehouse space, really think through your options before making a final decision. If you are trying to stick closely to a budget, you may also want to consider venues that have added features like included table rentals or an attached kitchen for a caterer.
Take Time To Work On The Guest List
Especially during the times of COVID-19 when the number of guests you can have is greatly limited, the guest list will become even more important. Take some time to talk with your partner about who you really want to have there on your big day. If there are certain family members or friends that you would love to have there but know won’t be able to attend due to travel limitations or health, you may want to contact them and double-check before you make final plans. Because regulations are so tight, you can’t send out a large number of invitations and just see who is actually able to RSVP. You’ll have to be more specific about who you invite and check to make sure they will really be able to attend.
Get Advice From Other Married Couples
One of the most important top tips for wedding planning is to talk to other married couples for advice and recommendations. Those who have already gone through the planning process will be able to tell you where you can cut out unnecessary costs and where you should plan to spend more money. For example, if you’re thinking about getting personalized wedding rings but aren’t sure about the added costs, talk to friends who chose that option to see what they recommend. If you’re considering a certain caterer, talk to friends who used a caterer to see what they liked and what they felt was missing. Those who have already gone through the wedding planning process will be a great asset as you plan.
Be Picky When It Comes To Vendors
If you’re working on a tighter budget, you may be tempted to skimp when it comes to certain vendors. While most engaged couples spend time really considering different photographers, florists, and caterers, other options like companies that offer chair rentals for weddings, light designers, or transportation may be lower on the list. However, you don’t want to choose a cheap, lower-rated vendor thinking it won’t be that important and be stuck with low quality or even worse, a lack of on your wedding day. Take the time to talk with each of your potential vendors before you sign a contract to ensure you’re making the best choice for your day.
Book A Section Of Rooms For Guests
If you’re planning a destination wedding and will have family and friends traveling to stay out of town, you may want to consider booking a section of rooms so everyone can be close together. It’s also a great gesture for those who have traveled to celebrate you on your big day. Keep in mind that hotels are requiring different things from hotel guests per COVID-19 regulations. There may be certain amenities that are limited to protect everyone’s health. Check with a few hotels for availabilities before you book a hotel.
Postpone Honeymoon Planning
Even before traveling was made difficult due to COVID-19 one of the top tips for wedding planning was to postpone honeymoon planning. Planning for a wedding is stressful and expensive. Trying to conserve money in your budget for a dream honeymoon could add more issues and stress to the already tough situation. And especially when your dream honeymoon destination could be inaccessible due to travel limitations, whether it’s an adventure resort that’s closed or a country that is not accepting visitors, it’s better to wait than add honeymoon planning to your stress.
Be Considerate Of Guests Health
One of the top tips for wedding planning in the time of COVID-19 is to be super considerate of your guest’s health. If you go ahead with inviting friends or family to a ceremony or reception, you’ll need to have a setup that considers people’s desires to social distance. This includes not having chairs set up too close, open space for mingling after the ceremony, maks and hand sanitizer provided, and any other accommodations per your state’s health regulations. You could also talk to your family doctor about recommendations they have for how to keep your wedding guests healthy. You will also need to be understanding and patient with any friends or family that choose not to attend your wedding for their own health.
In Conclusion
Planning a wedding during the times of COVID-19 doesn’t have to mean a dull wedding. As long as you follow state and country requirements for health, you can still have a beautiful day that you’ll remember for years to come. Follow these top tips for wedding planning to ensure a successful wedding and the health of you, your partner, and your wedding guests.