It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm in early 2020. Many couples had to cancel their wedding during COVID-19 due to stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines. And for those who decided to still get married during the pandemic, their wedding likely looked a lot different than they had originally planned.
At HauteFêtes, we experienced this firsthand. Elaborate wedding experiences turned into intimate celebrations. Planned weddings were rescheduled for 2021. The constant updates, changes, rules, and regulations associated with COVID have kept us on our toes.
Now, we look to 2021 and what the future holds for couples planning to marry in southern California, across the nation, and around the world. Here is everything you need to know about planning your 2021 wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic and how we can help you design an elegant, high-end wedding and meaningful experience regardless of the circumstances.
Important Choices When Planning Your 2021 Wedding During COVID-19
While none of us can say with absolute certainty what the future holds for weddings in 2021, there are a few things you can do now to ensure your wedding vision comes to life.
1. Choose a Wedding Date
Don’t delay. While there are a lot of uncertainties about how the world is going to look come 2021 and beyond, it is important to set your wedding date. However, flexibility is essential, especially if you hope to get the venue and vendors you want most. If a Saturday isn’t a must, consider a Friday or Sunday date which may also net you some additional savings, as well as a Fall or even Winter wedding.
With your wedding date set, you can begin focusing on ways to bring your wedding vision to life. And one of the easiest ways to do this is by hiring a wedding planner.
2. Choose a Wedding Planner
Hiring a full-service wedding planner has always been a valuable investment when planning your wedding. However, with all of the changes happening due to COVID-19, now hiring a wedding planner is vital.
This is no doubt a stressful time, but your wedding planning experience doesn’t have to be, even in the midst of COVID-19. When you partner with a full-service wedding planner, such as HauteFêtes, you have consistent design and planning support throughout your entire journey to the aisle – even if some of it is virtual!
Over these past months, we have heard of many couples losing thousands of dollars because they didn’t have specific protections in place. We work with our industry-leading venues and wedding partners to address all possible outcomes upfront to ensure your contracts legally protect your wedding investment should changes occur due to the pandemic. Moreover, we help you navigate insurance questions and establish a budget for a potentially reduced guest count. Throughout the entire process, we are there to safeguard your investment and eliminate miscommunications down the line.
3. Choose to Bring Your Vision to Life, Anyway
Your 2021 wedding during COVID-19 does not have to feel less-than. In fact, with intentional planning, creative design, and contingency plans that still bring your wedding vision to life, this day can be even better than you imagined when you know what you expect and how to prepare.
Essential Considerations When Planning Your 2021 Wedding During COVID-19
Nobody has experienced a global pandemic quite like this one, and it is hard to plan for the unknown. However, you can prepare for unexpected changes by considering these three matters when planning for your wedding.
1. Consider Creating Two Guest Lists
When developing your wedding guest list, create two: one that lists everyone you hope can attend your wedding and one that lists only those who are essential to your celebration. The hope is you don’t have to utilize your “essential guests” list; however, if travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders increase substantially, it is created if you need it. For those guests who are unable or uncomfortable attending your wedding, consider planning an additional virtual experience, so they can still celebrate with you.
2. Consider Booking Your Vendors Sooner Rather Than Later
There were so many postponed weddings in 2020. This means there are couples rescheduling for 2021, as well as couples who had their sights set on a 2021 wedding to begin with. This nearly doubles the number of weddings that vendors are booking. Therefore, as soon as you determine your ideal wedding date, work with your planner to contract your desired vendors if they have your date available, as soon as possible.
At HauteFêtes, we have relationships with the highest-quality wedding vendors across the United States. When you partner with us, you benefit from these relationships, receiving the first choice of wedding dates and discounts when available.
3. Consider Investing in an Outdoor or Tented Wedding
For the safest and most spacious wedding experience, choose an outdoor wedding venue. This will ensure your guests have the opportunity to adhere to the social guidelines they are most comfortable with. If you are concerned about inclement weather, consider these six tented wedding tips to determine if investing in a tented wedding is right for you.
At HauteFêtes, we can bring your wedding vision to life, transforming an outdoor venue into an elegant, festive space for your wedding.
Putting Your Guests First When Planning Your 2021 Wedding During COVID-19
Even though you’re having your wedding during a global pandemic, your wedding celebration can still be spectacular. And there are ways to ensure your guests have a wonderful experience, too.
Along with having an outdoor or tented wedding, consider these 2021 COVID-19 wedding trends to create a safe and comfortable wedding experience for everyone.
1. Provide Adequate and Spacious Seating Arrangements
Social-distancing is trending, and for good reason. It is one of the most effective ways to keep family and friends healthy and safe. When designing your wedding, consider strategically placed seating arrangements that create space to connect at a distance.
2. Emphasize Single-Serve Foods and Drinks
To keep everyone safe, consider serving guests a food and bar menu that consists of single-serve options. Instead of having guests line up at the bar, serve signature cocktails or wine in a tray-passed fashion to each guest.
For food, pre-plated appetizers with a variety of choices, or individual cheese and charcuterie plates versus a station, will allow your guests to get as close to – or stay as distanced from – other guests as they feel comfortable. Menu design is one of our specialties. Reach out to HauteFêtes today for menu and bar inspiration.
3. Communicate Your Wedding Expectations With Your Guests
The best way to ensure your wedding guests feel safe and secure at your wedding is to communicate expectations with them ahead of time. Whether you use your wedding website or include communications on your invitations, if your guests know what to expect ahead of time, they will already feel more comfortable and relaxed during the celebration.
4. Pay Attention to the Details
Details are what make your celebration unique to you and your significant other, and investing in those details to let your guests know they are special is now more important than ever.
Beautiful linens, personalized menus, specialty lighting, and upgraded rentals can all take your day to the next level, creating an intimate ambiance for your guests to enjoy and making your day even more unique. At HauteFêtes, we believe the details are in the design and the design is in the details.
You Are Not Alone: Plan Your 2021 COVID-19 Wedding with HauteFêtes
Planning a wedding can be stressful. There are multiple moving parts and a lot of items to check off your do-to list. However, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, wedding planning has become more tedious and the details more intricate.
You don’t have to plan your wedding experience alone.
At HauteFêtes, we provide planning and design expertise that ensures a smooth, stress-free journey to the aisle. We can help you protect your wedding investment, plan a COVID-proof wedding with contingency plans that still bring your wedding vision to life, and communicate with your wedding guests to ensure a wonderful experience for everyone.
We have endless ideas about how to make your 2021 wedding during the COVID-19 pandemic beautiful and memorable. Reach out to us today!