How to Make Your Wedding COVID-19 Friendly

We’re not gonna lie. More and more frequently this is becoming a much more commonly asked question from our couples. Heck. Not even just our couples, but couples all across the world. You’ve already postponed your wedding date, but now you’re ready to get married, gosh dang it. But the catch? You want to make sure that all of your guests and VIPs feel 100% totally comfortable attending your big day. So how do you make your wedding COVID-19 friendly for everyone?!

Sure, we’ve talked about downsizing. Or live-streaming. And having a Zoom wedding. But for those of you that don’t want to do any of that and move forward with the big wedding day you always dreamed of? How do you make that happen? What can you do? 

Don’t worry, friends. We’ve got your back. In fact, we had this very same conversation with one of our couples earlier this week and made the exact same recommendations. And, because you know that we don’t just like to share helpful info, but also pretty pictures, as we go we’ll be sharing some of our favorites from Christina and Kyler’s engagement session. 

How to Make Your Wedding COVID-19 Friendly

Measure out & social distance your seating 

Likely your venue and wedding planner will take care of this for you. But if you’re setting everything up yourself? Add in some extra prep time, friends. Break out that tape measure and painter’s tape, grab your boo, and get to measuring. Likely you’ve invited several couples and family to your wedding, who will want to sit together. That’s totally okay. We suggest clustering your chairs together in twos or fours. Getting married in a church? Still go ahead and measure your seats out for your guests. 

Hand Sanitizer Stations

This might be a “duh” statement, but we’re going to add it anyway. Whether it’s a big old Costco jug of hand sanitizer, or smaller bottles at each place setting, make sure you’ve got it on hand. This might be something your venue is including in your rental, but it never hurts to double check and double up. Want a hand sanitizer station that’s “pretty?” The Photo Bus is renting out customizable hand sanitizing stations.

Require your Guests to Wear Masks

We know, we know. This IS NOT what you want to hear. But here’s the thing. By requiring everyone to wear masks? You’re keeping all of your VIPS safe. (And your vendors). You can still party and celebrate and scream-sing on the dance floor without any risk of anyone spreading their germs all over the place. Will reception and ceremony photos look like you’ve always dreamt they would? Maybe not. But in all honesty? Which is worse? Having everyone in masks on the dance floor or having a handful of your VIPS stuck in the ER because no one wore masks at your wedding?

A basket for programs.

We know, we know. You needed a job for your 13 year old cousin who is too young to be in the wedding party, but too old to be a flower girl or ring bearer. So you asked them to hand out programs. Instead of having them physically hand a program to each guest, we suggest putting your programs in a basket and having your VIP monitor and guide your wedding guests towards the basket instead. They can also hang out to wipe your guestbook and table down between each guest. 

Ditch the receiving line or formal exit

Most of our couples are 50/50 split on this tradition. Some insist on doing it, others don’t Some only choose to do a formal exit. Either way, doing a receiving line or formal exit is likely out of the question since it requires guests to be crowded in super, super close and make lots of contact with each other. And as much as we hate to say it, bubbles are likely out of the question too. Instead, make plans to visit your guests during dinner at your reception. OR, provide streamers or bells for your guests to ring and shake as you enter your reception. 

Hand sanitizer and face mask favors

This is something that we’re starting to see more and more of. And you know what? It’s definitely one way to make your wedding day more comfortable for everyone. You can even go so far as to customize your hand sanitizer and masks for your guests if you want to be all fancy. You can hand them out at your ceremony, or even as guests enter your reception. Just make sure that whoever is packing them up has thoroughly washed their hands. 🙂 

Red/Yellow/Green Social Distancing Bracelets

So this is totally something we saw on Instagram the other day that’s genius. When your guests enter your ceremony or reception, have a table with three baskets of bracelets available for them. Each basket has a different color bracelet that correlates their comfortability level of interacting with your other guests. Green means they’re cool with close-up high fives, hugs, chit-chatting and dancing. Yellow means they’re okay with talking at an acceptable level, but no touching. And red means that they prefer to maintain a social distance from everyone. 

Expect a Modified buffet 

To be completely honest, we’re not 100% sure how food is getting served at weddings this summer. But we also 100% know that your catering and venue teams will be all over it. It may be a buffet behind a face shield, or even a plated dinner. Whatever your caterer winds up suggesting we recommend you trust them and go with it. Even if it’s not necessarily something that you’re thrilled about. Better safe than sorry, friends. 

Dessert at each table instead of a “main” table 

We know, we know. We’re suckers for a big dessert table with a cake, cookies, and all of the cupcakes and cake pops too. But, unfortunately, this is something that you may have to compromise on. Maybe it means your baker pre-packages your sweet treats and guests pick them up from a common table. Or maybe it means those sweet treats are already placed at each place setting. Either way, work with your baker to ensure you’re helping them meet all of their health requirements. 

Cut the Dollar Dance

This isn’t something that we see a lot of anymore, but thought we’d throw it out there, just in case. And if we’re being honest, a crowded dance floor is something that a lot of wedding industry professionals is still something we’re all trying to figure out how to tackle. But one thing for sure? Don’t do the dollar dance, friends. The last thing you want is to closely dance with most of the attendants at your wedding, breathing the same 6 inches of air for 10 minutes. Just not a great idea. And you know what? We’re sure that they’ll understand. 

We genuinely, genuinely hope this helps someone out there. Just know that as of right now, all of us wedding professionals are still trying to figure out how to tackle a wedding day. We’re still trying to figure out how to give our couples the most “normal” wedding day that we can while ensuring that everyone is comfortable and safe. And you know what? The more we learn from events that have started to happen the more we’ll be able to share with you. 

PS – Christina and Kyler’s engagement session was gorgeous, wasn’t it?! In can you’re curious, we photographed their session at Schwinn Produce Farm in Leavenworth, with the farm’s permission, of course. 

Feel like you’re missing something? Check out Christina and Kyler’s Sneak Peek here.