How To Plan A Wedding During COVID (When You Don’t Know What You Can Plan)

2020 was the year of waiting. Everyone just sort of held their breath and waited to see what happened.

People planned weddings, but those weddings many times got postponed, cancelled or downsized because the situation kept changing.

The roller coaster of changes left everyone feeling the effects of whiplash.

But, now that we’re in 2021 and vaccines are a reality, weddings are picking up again.

Couples are actually planning because it finally feels like you really can plan!

And yet the question still remains… How do you plan a wedding during COVID when you don’t know what you can plan?

Because COVID restrictions still exist and while the future is way more hopeful, we still don’t yet know when things will go back to normal.

Or even what “normal” will look like.

And that fuzzy picture with all those unknowns can make you want to crawl back into your fetal waiting position. But, don’t let it!

You can start planning even though you don’t yet know what will be allowed at the time. And there are 3 things you’ll need to plan a wedding during COVID.

What You Need To Plan a Wedding During COVID

#1 – A realistic plan

While we don’t know for sure what the future will look like and what will or will not be allowed for weddings, we can plan for what we think it will be.

And when I say think, I mean realistically.

This is not what you hope will magically happen by a certain time.

This is what realistically could be possible at the time of your wedding, given the information we have.

So, if you’re planning a wedding for the summer of 2021, that will be different than fall of 2021 or winter of 2021 or 2022.

The closer your wedding date, the more restrictions you can expect.

Now, what kind of restrictions?

As more people get vaccinated, counties and states will move into bigger stages of reopening. And thus, more will be allowed.

But I would expect restrictions and rules on guest size, indoor weddings, food and beverage service, masks, distancing and sanitation requirements to continue for at least a good portion of 2021.

So what this means is don’t start planning a “normal” wedding for 300 people in the summer. What’s more realistic? A 100 person wedding with some adjustments.

But let’s say you’re planning a wedding in 2022. A “normal” 300 person wedding could be realistic by then if enough people are vaccinated.

What you’re doing is planning for what is realistic for your wedding date.

And you’re going to want to think about it from all aspects of your wedding. So, a plated meal will be more realistic than a buffet. And an outdoor wedding will be more realistic than an indoor one.

When you think about your wedding and the restrictions with those realistic glasses on, you can safely plan your wedding even with the unknowns.

Because it gives you a framework with realistic possibilities.

So, there is a much higher likelihood that what you’re planning for will be a reality.

#2 – Your What Ifs

So you have your framework, but we obviously don’t know for sure what will be allowed.

So, you also need to understand your what ifs.

These are the what if scenarios.

And your thoughts and plan of action should that what if scenario happen.

Because understanding what you would do in the what if scenario allows you to not only plan for it, but not be surprised (and stressed) if the situation comes up.

So, what happens if you can’t have 100 guests? What happens if you can have more than 100 guests?

What happens if dancing isn’t allowed? Or what happens if not all your guests are vaccinated?

You need to think through the what if scenarios and what you would do.

So, it might be that if you can’t have a wedding with 100 people, you’re going to postpone. Or perhaps you’d downsize because you’re getting married no matter what.

Those are two very different answers. And there are others.

But there is no right or wrong answer. Just your answer.

Which is why it’s super important to figure out how you feel together.

Because you might feel differently and you have to come to an agreement so that you know where you stand and what happens should something happen.

Planning realistically gives you the framework, and knowing your what ifs help round out the picture beyond the borders.

#3 – Plan with Backup Plans

The last piece you need to plan a wedding during COVID is to take those what ifs and plan with backup plans in mind.

So what does that mean?

In some cases, it might be actually taking steps to ensure you’re covered. In others, it might just be about hiring the vendor or making the decision that has more flexibility or longevity.

Because now that you know your what ifs, you also know your plan should the scenario change from your realistic one.

And since you know that plan, you know what will be needed for it.

So this could manifest itself in renting more items than you need so that they’re reserved for now allowing you to eliminate them later if needed.

Or it could be hiring the florist whose policy would allow for any changes up to 2 weeks before the wedding.

Or it could be deciding to go with an electronic invitation because you can send it out quicker and make adjustments to the wording at the last minute.

Planning with your backup plans in mind means you’re covering yourself should things change.

Which means the entire picture is now a lot clearer no matter what happens.

Because the hard part about planning a wedding during COVID are those unknowns. And while you don’t know for sure what will happen, you can manage those unknowns by planning with a realistic plan, your what ifs and backup plans in mind.

Those 3 pieces are what you need to plan a wedding during COVID.

But don’t forget you don’t have to do it alone! Let us help you make it easier. Get in touch to set up a free consultation today.