How to Plan the Perfect Wedding Reception During a Pandemic
The pandemic has changed a lot about our lives, from virtual events to working at home. The wedding industry has definitely been affected, with couples postponing or canceling their weddings, or having to adjust drastically to make their big days COVID-safe.
The big post-wedding party you imagined when you first started planning may no longer be viable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a memorable—and amazing—wedding reception anyway! While your day may look very different, you can still plan and host a wedding reception that captures and celebrates your love with your closest friends and family.
Check out our top tips for planning a perfect—and pandemic-safe—wedding reception!
Go virtual or micro
Every couple wants their loved ones to witness their wedding day, but if your relatives are immunocompromised, you don’t want to increase their risk of getting COVID-19. A virtual wedding can allow everyone to participate in your wedding from anywhere in the world, and in many cases you will end up with a video you can re-watch later to remind you of your special day.
A virtual wedding reception may sound impossible, but it can actually be a lot of fun! You can create a menu and encourage your guests to make or order similar food that you can all eat at the same time. With a Zoom call, guests can send you live well wishes just as they would if they were at your reception in person.
The other option is to turn your wedding into a micro-wedding, which just means a more intimate gathering with just close friends and family. A smaller guest list allows everyone to better meet social distancing guidelines and also keeps costs low for you.
Opt for an outdoor reception
If you decide to have guests at your wedding, an outdoor reception is the way to go if at all possible. Hosting your reception indoors raises issues of ventilation that require more planning and consideration than an outdoor reception.
If you are unable to have your reception outdoors, look for a venue that is large enough to allow everyone to safely keep their distance and is well ventilated.
Your wedding reception can still reflect and celebrate your love, even if you have to make some major adjustments because of the pandemic. And remember, you can even host a bigger party once it’s safe to do so! Now that’s something to look forward to!
Hire a professional wedding planner
Even if you’re hosting a smaller wedding, a planner can help you get all the pieces in place and ensure that everything meets safety requirements. From vendors to food to the timeline, a wedding planner or coordinator will make sure that your day goes smoothly, that everyone is where they are supposed to be on time and that you and your partner don’t have to worry about a thing except saying “I do.”
While a wedding planner may seem like an unnecessary budget item during a pandemic, they can actually ease your worries about keeping your wedding safe and sanitary and take a lot of the more stressful aspects of planning (especially during COVID-19) off your back.
Focus on what matters most to you
One of the few benefits of planning a pandemic wedding is that you are less likely to feel bound by family expectations and can do your wedding however you want. Do you want to dump certain traditions? You can! Your wedding is whatever you want it to be, and that is even more true when you have to adjust your reception to fit with the way the world currently is.
Take this opportunity to talk to your partner about what parts of the reception are most important to you. What events or items are must-haves and what can you do without? Do you want to do something crazy or unusual? Go for it! The most important thing about your wedding day and reception is that it reflects your relationship and the love you share
