HOW TO MINIMIZE RISKS AND COSTS WHEN PLANNING A PANDEMIC WEDDING

Everything this year looks and feels different due to the pandemic. This includes weddings and other celebrations. If you had plans for a large wedding in the coming months, know that you don’t have to cancel your event altogether. You can always adapt your event to fit tighter restrictions or even a smaller budget. Here are some pointers for doing either.

Keeping Things Small vs. Going Virtual

First things first, let’s talk about your guest list. In many states, public health orders may still be imposing limits on gatherings so keep this in mind as you rework your plans. Try to remember that while downsizing your wedding may feel disappointing, doing so is the best way to protect the people you love. Plus you could end up trimming your budget with a smaller celebration.

If you have loved ones who can’t attend due to concerns about increased health risks or travel restrictions, you can always set up a Zoom link so that they can watch your event safely from afar. There are special planning services that can help you set up a secure and smooth wedding link but you can also create a low-cost account and take care of this step on your own.

Safely Working With Wedding Vendors

Next, you need to think about which professionals you need to help your special day go off without a hitch. An experienced photographer and videographer should be at the top of that list, and this is one service where you shouldn’t try to cut costs. After all, you will spend a lifetime looking at your wedding photos and videos, so make sure you choose someone who can capture all of those precious moments and memories.

Check-in with each vendor to make sure they have proper practices in place to keep you and your guests safe. This is also a good time to talk to your vendors about any adjustments you need to make in terms of wedding size or budget.

If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can also make your own accommodations, including bringing makeup and skincare products, rather than using items from your makeup artist’s collection. Check in with your artist to see which items you need and then use Ulta coupons to save a bundle on your beauty essentials.

Choosing an Indoor vs. Outdoor Venue

Another critical decision you may need to adjust due to the pandemic is your wedding venue. To keep costs and risks low, be sure to review this list of popular wedding activities. Each activity is ranked from lowest risk to highest risk, with a smaller outdoor event being one of the safer choices for you and your guests and a larger indoor gathering being one of the most dangerous.

If you do opt for a micro wedding outside, you can either book an outdoor venue or keep your event costs even lower by putting together a backyard wedding instead. With a little creativity and planning, you can create a truly beautiful ceremony and celebration in a backyard. So don’t dismiss this idea if that’s what it takes to keep your wedding safe and budget-friendly.

Adapting Honeymoon Plans to Restrictions

If you were planning on spending a weekend on an exotic island or exploring a foreign city, current travel restrictions are likely to hamper those plans. There are only a handful of countries allowing American travelers across their borders right now and visitors may still face quarantines and movement limitations once they arrive.

To avoid travel risks and mandatory quarantines, you could also keep your honeymoon plans local. Booking a weekend or week-long trip to a beautiful destination stateside will also help keep your honeymoon costs low, which is an added perk for your budget. To minimize contact with other people, consider renting a cabin, cottage or even a treehouse.

You may have to tweak your wedding plans because of the pandemic, but you don’t necessarily have to cancel them. Think about what’s truly important to you and then adapt your event to fit these priorities. If your dreams include an indoor or large wedding, you can also talk to your planner and vendors about postponing until restrictions are lifted and things are safer.

Of course, you’ll want wedding photos that will stand the test of time and outlive the pandemic. Book an appointment at Dean Michaels Studio for your photography and video needs.