Social distancing

Wedding Ceremonies 2020 Style

 in Ceremony / COVID-19 / Personalization / Wedding Party / Weddings  tagged COVID-19 / livestream / Social distancing / wedding ceremony / weddings by

Wedding Ceremonies 2020 style have changed due to COVID. And the truth is that these changes may last well into 2021. So if you’re planning to get married this year or even next year, it’s time to move toward acceptance of that fact, and then plan a memorable wedding day. Memorable may not look exactly like you expected it to last year, but it can be special, safe, sincere and significant.

Here are some ways to make wedding ceremonies 2020 style safe and special:

  • Reduce the size of your guest list: This can be tricky if save the dates or invitations are already out, but everyone understands the situation. You’ll want to stay aware of all state and local public health requirements so you are in compliance.
  • Provide custom masks for your guests: These can be simple disposable masks in your wedding colors, or elaborate ones with your monogram embroidered on them. While an added cost, the reduced guest list will make this more manageable.
  • Small or no wedding party: If you’re only going to have a few people at the wedding, you don’t want them all standing up with you. You also avoid issues with social distancing of your wedding party by limiting attendants to only one each for you and your fiance(e). Better yet, opt to go without a wedding party at all, and keep the focus on the two of you. You can have any guests of your choice serve as your official witnesses.
  • Seat your guests by household, with social distancing between each group: You can use sofas, hay bales, chairs or any other seating to accomplish this, but some creativity here can create a lovely visual.
  • Invest in a streaming service for your ceremony: Since only a small number of your community can be present in person, it’s a great idea to have someone livestream or Zoom your ceremony. A professional can provide this service so all your in person guests can focus on being truly present for your ceremony.
  • For a punch of interest, try a reverse receiving line: At the end of your ceremony, have your guests line the aisle by household, socially distanced, of course. Spread them out so you can walk down the aisle without getting too close to them. Then turn from side to side as a couple, pausing to acknowledge each group with smiles, receive their congratulations, and exchange a few words. It won’t take too long with only a few guests present, and can provide a great way for you to exit the ceremony space.

Wedding ceremonies 2020 style are certainly different than the large scale extravaganzas we’ve become used to in recent years. But there are still opportunities for you to customize your ceremony and your day to fit your style. Keeping the health and safety of your guests in mind shows your consideration and love for them, and allows everyone to celebrate with you in some way. In January of this year no one expected that wedding ceremonies 2020 style would be so radically different from previous years, but your wedding will be memorable in its own way.

Social Distancing at Weddings

 in COVID-19 / Weddings  tagged COVID-19 / Social distancing / wedding ceremonies / wedding ceremony / weddings by

Social Distancing at weddings is a daunting thought, but you can make it work. While the COVID-19 virus continues to be a threat in our country, especially to older Americans and those with some pre-existing conditions, many areas are relaxing rules about gatherings. Weddings in particular are currently allowed, but we are being asked to continue to practice social distancing to help keep each other safe and healthy.

I recently performed a small wedding where social distancing was observed during the ceremony. Each household sat on their own bench which were widely spaced. The couple and I kept our distance from each other, too, except for the few moments of the ring exchange.

Social distancing at 2020 wedding.

The couple chose to forgo their initially planned large wedding party in order to keep the number of attendees down. This wedding took place when gathering sizes were even more limited than they are today, but you’ll need to consider the size of your wedding party given social distancing requirements. You might consider having your honor attendants (best man, etc) stand with you, and have the rest of the wedding party walk in, and then be seated with their households for the ceremony.

The couple in the ceremony above kept their original wedding date, and modified the wedding plans as needed. Other couples are making different choices including postponing to later this year or even next year, hoping that the virus won’t be an issue. There is no right answer in these uncertain times, but making the decision considering what is most important to you about your wedding day will ensure that you’re making the right choice for you as a couple.

While social distancing at weddings is possible, it is more practical if you have a smaller guest list. The ceremony space is something you have reasonable control over, setting chairs apart from each other, identifying groupings for the households you know will be attending, etc.

You’ll also need to consider your reception plans with an eye toward social distancing. Table placement, seat assignments, and certainly unstructured activities like social hour and dancing must be considered. Your wedding plans may need to be modified to accommodate current limitations, but social distancing is possible at weddings, and most importantly, you’ll still be married at the end of the day, and will be embarking on your unique marriage journey.

Our Responsibilities Going Forward

 in Ceremony / COVID-19 / Guests / Memorial services / Weddings  tagged COVID-19 / funerals / Masks / memorial service / Social distancing / wedding ceremony / weddings by

Our responsibilities going forward continue as states begin to ease restrictions on gatherings including weddings and funerals/memorials. As our country and state continue to deal with COVID-19, many areas are beginning to lift or ease limitations on wedding ceremonies and memorial services. In almost all cases there are still restrictions in place, and we owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to honor them.

The number of people allowed to gather for ceremonies varies depending on whether it is taking place outdoors or indoors, and depending on the capacity of indoor spaces. But in all cases we are being asked to observe social distancing and to wear masks. Social distancing by household will require different seating plans (and in some places chairs are not being allowed at all). While masks hardly make a fashion statement as part of guests’ attire, the long incubation period of the virus makes them essential.

Masks are not worn to protect the wearer, but to help ensure that the wearer is not unknowingly transmitting the virus. Anywhere between two and 14 days can elapse between the time you are infected and the time you begin to show symptoms. If you attend a gathering during that time, feeling perfectly well and not knowing that you’ve been exposed, you can infect dozens of other people without knowing it.

A number of COVID-19 outbreaks have been traced back to funerals and other gatherings. That’s in part because it is so difficult to keep our distance when we want to show our support and to mourn together. We get too close without even thinking about it. And it doesn’t take long for the virus to spread.

Have you ever attended a wedding where you didn’t want to hug the happy couple, or the relatives you haven’t seen in awhile, or the school friends you’ve lost touch with through the years? We do it without thinking, and might well not know that we are giving or receiving the virus with those happy hugs. Our responsibilities going forward are to care for ourselves and others as COVID-19 continues to be an issue.

It may not be fun, but our responsibilities going forward include continuing to practice social distancing and to wear masks. It may be your own life you save, or the life of a relative or friend. None of us would knowingly put others at risk, and unfortunately, masks and social distancing are the best tools we have at this time to keep each other safe. So let’s be happy that restrictions are easing, but be cautious and diligent going forward, so we are part of the solution to this virus, and not part of the problem.