Weddings can be stressful, everyone knows that; but having your wedding plans interrupted by a novel super-virus from outer space (slight exaggeration on that last part) is almost guaranteed to double down on stress levels. For some of the couples we’re talking to it’s that they have their heart set on a certain date, for others, they have been anticipating their wedding for so long they absolutely-positively- cannot-wait-another-day to marry the love of their life – virus be damned! Regardless, they are stressed about this sudden change in circumstances, confused from by-the-minute updates, and have been asking us for help.
If you find yourself in a similar position – still wanting to have your wedding, but not sure about what to do – Sweet Grass Weddings is here to give you some advice on tiny weddings, social distancing, and love in the time of coronavirus. Here are answers to 5 of the most commonly asked questions we are hearing right now.
1. Can we still get married?
Of course, you can! In fact, this is the time that a tiny wedding really shines. Right now, CDC is saying that 8 weeks is the estimated peak window for transmission; so, if your wedding date is set beyond that timeline, we think it’s fair to keep on planning. However, if you’re currently inside of the 8-week window, no need to slam the sash on your dreams, you can still take advantage of a great setting, fabulous pictures, and a small group of intimates – tiny wedding style – to create your special day. The biggest thing to be aware of if you take this approach is that many probate courts are requiring couples to book appointments to apply for their marriage license. Also, plan your venue accordingly, places like state parks are still open right now, but their services (like restrooms!) aren’t.
2. What should we do about social distancing at our wedding?
Keep it tiny! CDC guidelines discourage any gathering over 10 people so if you want to include a large group of your loved ones for the celebration, we have been suggesting that you livestream your event.
For the in-person celebration, consider arranging your seating with social distancing standards in mind
to make it seamless for people. The best approach is to think about creative ways of creating a shared
experience but at a distance. What’s in: personal bubbles, line dancing, sanitation stations, and giving
air hugs. What’s out: close talkers, open coughing or sneezing, sharing food or drink, and anyone with a
temperature.
3. How can we keep our wedding guests safe, but still have our ceremony?
Everyone is making an extra effort to keep things clean right now and your wedding venue is no
different. Making sure that surfaces have been wiped down and make sure that all guests are symptom-free are easy front-line defenses. Offering homemade hand-sanitizer might even be a fun wedding favor for those in attendance. And most importantly, make sure that you talk to your guests about staying home if they are in, or have contact with, a vulnerable population like elders or the immunocompromised.
4. Is it still safe to get a wedding cake or serve food to our guests?
In a word, yes; but maybe with some modifications. For example, if you want to have cake service you
might consider mixing it up a bit and going with cupcakes, rather than cake you have to slice; and
definitely skip any thoughts on a buffet or family-style meal. If you’re going digital, consider placing take-out orders from the same a local restaurant (they need the love right now) and have a shared virtual supper after the ceremony. Remember that bakeries and caterers always follow strict health and safety guidelines so it is still considered safe to use these services.
5. What do we do if our venue closes?
If your venue has closed, and you’re still moving on with your wedding, you’re probably the type of
person who can adapt and overcome, so get creative! Consider a park space or even a friend’s
backyard. We already mentioned that some places might be open, but not offering public services, so if you absolutely need certain amenities (bathrooms, air conditioning, running water) you might want to look into renting an Air BnB or vacation home. Also consider that many services, like ours at Sweet Grass Weddings, may already have contingency plans so don’t forget to ask what those might look like.
No matter what option you decide to choose, the important thing is to listen to your heart, but lead with your head. While you don’t have to put your world – or your wedding – on hold for Covid-19; it is important to stay safe and well so you can enjoy your new nuptial bliss to its fullest.
