Getting married during a worldwide pandemic is not ideal, however, it is possible. A study revealed that 96% of couples were not willing to cancel their weddings in 2020, but rather move them to a later date in 2021.
According to Shaun Lamont, the managing director of First Group Hotels and Resorts, all of the 2020 wedding postponements, will most likely see 2021 become the year of the wedding boom.
© Pexels
“The truth is, weddings have changed, and we are unlikely to see a 100+ guest wedding for many more months to come. Planning a wedding under normal circumstances is tough, so I truly sympathise with couples who are navigating the uncertainties that have come with having to plan a wedding during a pandemic,” says Lamont.
Lamont adds that while we must all ensure that we’re doing our part to limit the spread of Covid-19, couples shouldn’t rule out their fairytale wedding altogether just yet.
As the numbers start to lessen, the lockdown measures will loosen, and a dream wedding with the opportunity to make lasting, magical memories will be back on the cards,” he says.
He also offers four tips to couples looking to plan the perfect pandemic wedding:
Stay safe
Masks, sanitiser, and social distancing are now a daily feature in our lives, and your wedding should be no different. Not only must you ensure that your guests follow the health and safety protocols, you need to ensure that your selected venue is compliant with Covid-19 regulations too!
Keep it small and go virtual
Social gatherings are prohibited at the moment, but once the lockdown eases, likely, the number of guests will still be limited to 50% of the venue’s capacity or 50 people indoors. The plus side is that you will not only save on cost, you will also have the opportunity to share your special day with those closest to you (yes, that means no distant cousins or dodgy uncles!). And, if you embrace technology and get a hot-shot videographer the rest of your guests can still join your special day online ensuring that no one misses out (not even Uncle Kenneth and Cousin Zethu)!
Embrace the concept of less is more
Limiting the spread of Covid-19 means, you must reduce the number of touchpoints on your wedding day and this includes décor. Less is more when it comes to pandemic wedding décor, so instead of spending a fortune on table centrepieces and draping, rather choose a venue with breath-taking views to provide a beautiful, natural backdrop for your day.
Extend the wedding day to a wedding weekend
Fewer people at your wedding means that you are likely to save on cost. Use the extra cash to make a wedding weekend away with those you love the most. You can spend quality time with those who mean the world to you making magical, lasting memories, not just for a couple of hours but for an entire weekend!
“Life has changed, but that doesn’t mean we stop living or stop loving or stop planning. It simply means that we adapt accordingly,” Lamont concludes.
