Love is the strongest force. Love can make you overcome challenges, surpass problems, and exceed expectations.
As someone who has been a wedding host for years now, I have witnessed how love has brought out the best in couples — including staying committed and pushing through with the wedding day despite possible dilemmas along the way.
I guess when two people truly love each other and they are both devoted to spending the rest of their lives together, planning for the big day will not feel as difficult or exhausting… even amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Though it may be sad that there are limitations as to what is expected when planning for a “pandemic wedding”, it must go on – especially if the big day is in New York!
If you are planning for a wedding during the pandemic, it is normal to have concerns about how the ceremony would look or have second thoughts about throwing a celebration.
Some of you might even think about postponing the wedding and moving it to a much later date. And that is totally understandable.
Even pre-pandemic couples get thoughts like those, to be honest.
But let me tell you this: Do not overthink it.
A pandemic wedding may be successful. All you need is to take precautions.
With the increasing number of people getting vaccinated and restrictions beginning to ease up, finally, couples can set their wedding dates.
Here are some of my tips to make your New York wedding a success… and also, a COVID-friendly one.
Be Updated
Follow and subscribe to media outlets or news pages to get notifications (via email or your preferred social media account/s) on COVID-19 updates.
As a wedding host, I regularly look out for articles released or published by credible news sites to know if changes in numbers or protocols may affect the couples’ decision on a wedding date. I do my own checking and coordinate with the overall wedding planning head for crucial things like this — and I highly encourage you to do the same.
Always get news and updates from the New York news media, the caterers, venues, and so on. Guidelines and protocols against the viral disease are usually revised from time to time. It is best to click on the right time at the right moment of your wedding day, especially with the pandemic currently happening.
Hire A Wedding Planner
This is one of the best ways to ease up all the wedding preparations at this time of the pandemic. I have personally seen couples getting stressed out with lots of planning, only to end up being ruined by the coronavirus.
Planning a wedding during a pandemic is complex and it is the best time to hire a wedding planner. There are COVID-19 policies and a lot more things to negotiate especially in ensuring the entire venue and team have the proper safety measures in place.
Also, if you ever have to postpone again, your planner’s connections will be everything.
Lay Out COVID-19 Guidelines
The coronavirus is not a joke; we must better be safe than to be sorry about it.
Whether in invitations, through social media, or on wedding websites, the safety and sanitation measures against COVID-19 must be stated and outlined for guests — from wearing face masks, practicing social distancing, sanitizing upon entering the venue, and all other protocols recommended by the government and health department.
Giving your guests this information ahead will set everyone up for success.
You may also use wedding signages to spell out the safety measures for your guests to abide by.
Signages are a friendly way to remind everyone of the rules.
Consider Minimizing the Wedding Day
As much as I hate to break it, extravagance on your wedding day might be useless especially this pandemic. “The bigger, the better” is out-seasoned!
It may sound boring to some, given that most of us have gotten used to grand celebrations with all the people we know being invited to the wedding. But having a small number of guests would allow you to engage and interact more with the people who really matter — the ones who really know you and your partner’s love story.
Considering a smaller-scale event will be more personal and meaningful for couples. From micro-weddings to minimonies (mini ceremonies), there are several new and trend-setter tiny weddings.
I also suggest highlighting your must-have guests to control and properly regulate safety measures. In this way, you can reduce the risk of possible COVID-19 transmission.
Besides, you can always invite other guests to watch your wedding day via live stream. There are numerous ways in which you can live stream, whether through a chosen social media platform or a custom-created website for your wedding.
Just include any information virtual attendees may need to know (e.g. “Please sign our virtual guest book!”) for their reference.
Get On with COVID-Friendly Entertainment
Though I actually miss the dance floor to which a crowd of guests can freely gather around while dancing and singing or playing fun wedding games, the new socially-distanced games being played now are way more fun and challenging — and there are different options to choose from.
Lawn games are the best options especially if you are considering an outdoor reception. From bocce to kan jam, there are ways to encourage guests to play COVID-friendly games at your wedding.
You can also add virtual games, or create one. In this way, you can also interact virtually with your guests who weren’t able to come to your wedding day because of the guest restriction.
Also, consider live entertainment such as fantastic musical performances or cultural dance groups. New York has a wide variety of performers to choose from. This will give a ‘Wow Effect’ on your guests, an experience they won’t forget.
Getting married in New York City is something that many couples dream about.
Do not let pessimism eat you up and do not allow the coronavirus to ruin your blissful plan of saying “I do” in this wonderful city.
