We’ve all been impacted by the current pandemic involving Covid 19. However, remember we will celebrate again! Venues, dress shops, bakeries and all your wedding vendors will reopen. You can’t cancel LOVE! So let’s talk about “Plan B”.
You’ve planned your wedding packed full of fun and personality, down to the very last detail, ensuring your ceremony and reception will be a wonderful experience for your guests. Then everything closed and we had a “stay at home” order for essentially everyone near and far. Now what do you do with all those plans you worked so hard on? Do you postpone our wedding and reschedule? After all, no one plans fore a pandemic.
Consideration now moves to home weddings, especially if you have a back yard that is lush and park like. How do you pivot from a large, lavish celebration to an intimate home wedding?
First, I want you to know that you shouldn’t underestimate what you can do with a home wedding. The sky’s truly the limit. It will still be a great experience for your guests. However, here is where the real work begins if a home wedding is in your future:
- Choose a new wedding date, even if it’s not your typical Saturday or Sunday. Midweek wedding dates are becoming popular and may make more sense for you and your guests.
- Whether your backyard is large or small, you’ll need to revisit your guests list, as any location needs to be consider for maximum occupancy and comfort. No One envisions having to revisit their guests list; however our current times will likely require you to do so. So your guests list that was originally 100, 200 or even 300+ guests simply won’t be possible in a smaller space. This will be difficult, however remember many guests who were traveling distances or have compromised immune systems may not be able to attend at this point. Who do you want and need at your celebration? Additionally, be sure to check the local guidelines in your area to ensure you are in compliance.
- Once you finalize your guests list, you’ll ant to coordinate with your vendors to determine who and what you’ll still need. You may need to revise y our contracts to add or remove services. If you’re working with a wedding planner, he/she will be your liaison with your vendors, handling any changes as needed. Remember your vendors are here to help you through the process, despite any changes.
- Even though things may be a bit different now,, things will be okay. This is a celebration about you as a couple and your love for one another. Don’t sweat the small stuff (or the big stuff for that matter). So when you’re overwhelmed, which is to be expect and completely normal, take a deep breath and remember you are not in this along. You have vendors who will be there for you and if you have a wedding planner, he/she will be your rock, your sounding board and full of ideas to re-imagine this exceptional day for your.
- Don’t be afraid to add a virtual component to your wedding ceremony, so guests who you couldn’t invite are able to share in your wedding day. Weddings may change a bit now, but people love to be a part of a love story and YOURS is the most important to them.
- Self care at this point needs to be a priority. Enjoy a glass of wine with your BFF (even if it’s a Zoom call for now), share your concerns with your planner, family or friends so you have it off your chest (you’ll be surprised how much better you’ll feel) or exercise (whether gyms are open or not at this point). Taking care of YOU is a priority.
- Lastly, don’t forget to relax and ENJOY your wedding day! Your wedding comes and goes in 4-6 hours but your love for one another will last a life time.
Happy planning during these changing times!
Mary Homer
Fairy Tale Weddings by Mary
marysfairytaleweddings 