The last year and a half has been a great learning curve for the wedding industry. With a whole new layer of things to consider – I have put together some practical tips for planning your wedding during a global pandemic (based on my experiences).
1. Cover your ass (to put it bluntly)
Conversations need to be had with your venue and vendors early in the piece to ensure that contingencies are in place that deal with the many moving parts of a COVID-19 world.
The following things can be inevitable (unfortunately), and should be considered by you and your suppliers:
- The implementation of restrictions and dealing with them in accordance with Government directives (remember – these can drop at any time – so be ready to ‘pivot' – yes that bloody word again…).
- Make sure you look at alternative options and make sure that your deposit can be rolled over in case you have to change your date at the last minute.
- Become acquainted with your vendors’ cancellation and rescheduling policies and make sure that they work for your circumstances. Ask questions that can be solved together as a team.
- Check any updates from governing bodies regularly – if you’re in South Australia – these can be found via the Government of South Australia website HERE.
- Look at the bigger picture – it is important that we all do the right thing to prevent the spread of the virus.
2. Embrace your backup plan
Your dream wedding of 500 people on one long table covered in fresh peonies with a live performance by Michael Bublé just may not be a reality if you decide to get married during this ‘unprecedented time’. Maybe you can do something smaller with those people really close to you. Do you really want your friend that you haven’t seen in ten years’ tinder date at your wedding anyway? No. Not really.
Some of the best weddings that I have attended are the small and intimate ones. The ones where the couple has chosen exactly what they want – not what will please others. Use this time to take stock of what and who is important to you. If you have to cull your guest list, don’t feel bad about it. If you have to be conscious of your budget to ensure you can pay your bills for the rest of the year, DON’T FEEL BAD ABOUT IT!
3. Relax
Chill out. Seriously. Take some time to smell the roses (or flowers of your choice – no judgment here) and enjoy making plans with your special person. Think of the fact that you are having a wedding during a pandemic as a romantic and adventurous experience that you will be able to talk to your grandchildren about. Make sure you can look back at your day with the warm fuzzies, not an impending anxiety attack.
4. Be patient
Many wedding businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, both financially and emotionally. If you don’t get a response from an email straight away – give it a few days. Show some support for your vendors. We are all in this together, doing the best we can.
5. Be kind – stay connected
Be kind – and that includes to yourselves. Everybody is fragile right now.
We are all dealing with the stress of Covid, accompanied with the other things that pop up in everyday life. Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody needs to be asked how they are doing and if they are ok. Reach out.
6. Get vaccinated
When you become eligible to be vaccinated. Just do it.
If you’re looking for music for your wedding day – Little Ditty Entertainment can provide a selection of options that best suit your style. Whether it’s an acoustic duo during a seated dinner, a DJ or jazz band to get the hips wiggling, we can make it happen. For package details, pricing and COVID-19 information, send your enquiries to info@littledittyentertainment.com.
