How to plan a wedding in 2020 and 2021!

Weddings have always been complex. Between the social atmosphere of blending family and friends to the practical issues of lighting and food, planning a wedding takes a lot of effort. With rise to the pandemic, traditional wedding plans can no longer be followed, which has made planning even more complex and confusing. 

How To Plan A Wedding 101

The pandemic has drastically changed the way we socialize. While there are many aspects of the pandemic that have affected how we plan events, there are still some wedding traditions that have not budged.

When looking at the essentials, you first must figure out your own priorities. If your priorities include family and the preservation of memories, these things can still be done despite the pandemic. 

The Space

Figure out a place. Depending on where you are, weddings can look vastly different. Many local wedding venues can accommodate social distancing depending on the space itself. Small weddings can be held outdoors in nature or in a friend or family member’s backyard. By placing chairs or lawn darts six feet away, guests can easily see where the boundaries are for social distancing.

In addition to in-person weddings, many couples are opting for what is known as a “virtual wedding”. Virtual weddings can be a “placeholder” for an in-person wedding or they can be the actual event. Before choosing a virtual wedding, first check with the local clerk’s office to understand the marriage licensing rules. Since every state is different, this step is crucial before having the wedding.

There are a variety of different platforms to choose from when hosting a virtual wedding. Depending on your preference, Zoom and Google Hangout are just a few. As with most video conferencing tools, many virtual wedding platforms give you the option to mute guests and use multiple ways of recording distances.

Traditional Weddings vs. Elopement Weddings

A wedding usually consists of a large gathering that is there to witness the start of a marriage. This can be performed in a church, a vineyard or even a backyard. While the ceremony may take place in one location, the reception is often in another. Dancing and socializing can include hundreds of people crowded in sometimes small or indoor areas. Traditional weddings are often memorable to many guests, but can include a lot of pressure. With so many details to focus on (catering, live bands, guest tables etc.) the wedding can become expensive and stressful.

Even prior to the pandemic, many couples opt for elopement weddings for romantic reasons. These type of elopements can ease the stress of a big wedding so that the couple can focus on each other while still providing a way to formally commit. 

Destination elopements are intimate and can involve just a few family members or friends. This can look especially enticing during the middle of a pandemic. Destination elopements involve unique places and can be done at a beach, in a tropical rain forest or even in the woods. Many elopement weddings are very small and consist of photographers and a few family members or friends.

Elopements have long been known for their sense of romance, adventure and simplicity. They are usually a significantly less expensive way to get married. Many couples use the money saved from an elopement to budget their honeymoon. During the pandemic, smaller weddings are often safer since socializing can be spaced out at a distance. 

Traditional Wedding Plans for Alternative Weddings

Even if you decide to have an alternative wedding such as a virtual wedding or an elopement, there are several traditional factors that can still fit. Ideas and Inspirations from classic weddings often have similar priorities. 

Wedding photography is a staple for any type of wedding. For timeless photographs that commemorate a major event, professional photographers are crucial. When planning a wedding, engagement photography is a major part of the process. Engagement photography is done before the wedding and can be artistic, modern or traditional depending on the couple. For Ideas and Inspirations, photographers often have suggestions. 

Formal attire is another part of planning a wedding. Regardless if you are hosting a small or virtual wedding, many brides and grooms want to look their best. Depending on the place, some bridal shops will allow for private fittings to make sure bridal or bridesmaid dresses fit the way they were intended. Other shops can be found online where return processes are designed to be quick and easy.

Flowers are a timeless addition to the wedding ceremony. While floral arrangements are a common decor for both indoor and outdoor weddings, wild flowers can also set the stage. For those who decide on an elopement wedding, many destinations can include gardens or meadows with natural greenery included. While white peonies or roses may be exactly what one couple wants, it doesn’t mean these are the only wedding flowers available. 

Bridal hair and makeup has been part of the wedding process for centuries. Since the pandemic, professional hair stylists and makeup artists may not be currently available. Although the safety concerns seem obvious for professional cosmetic artists, this doesn’t mean you can’t have an elegant hair or makeup style. By choosing the right look in advance, you can experiment with how to style your own hair or makeup through trial or error or even through youtube videos. Curling irons and salon hair products can be an easy way to add elegance. 

Music is one of the most important aspects to a wedding. Regardless of the venue, dancing is a well-known experience that can be enjoyed by the entire party. While dancing may not be a safe way to distance, the bride and groom can still dance with one another. When finding the right music for a wedding, consider any specific songs that make you think of each other as well as the band itself. Many people now are using portable music devices that come with high-quality speakers for sound that can easily mimic any live band. 

A True 2020 Wedding

Since the pandemic, many social norms have changed. The advantage to having a wedding after 2020, is that we were brought back to the fact that it is completely and uniquely yours. No matter how you plan for your wedding, the event is ultimately to celebrate romance and dedication for many years to come.