After more than a year of the pandemic, data forecast a surge in weddings and receptions in 2021. According to The Knot 2020 Real Weddings Study, 15 percent of couples who had a wedding date set in 2020 decided to postpone it, of which a majority rescheduled their wedding to 2021. Among those who went ahead with their wedding in 2020, almost 32 percent only had a ceremony and postponed their reception, with 52 percent choosing to hold it in the first half of 2021, 43 percent in the second half of 2021, and five percent in 2022 or beyond. Add to these the number of couples who got engaged in 2020 and deliberately set their wedding for 2021.
According to results of a poll on The Knot’s Instagram, more than one-third or 36 percent of couples planning to wed in 2021 said that they plan to require their guests to get a test for COVID-19 before attending their celebration, while almost 20 percent plan to require their guests to get a vaccine shot before they attend the wedding.
If you and your loved one are getting engaged and planning to get married this year, here are tips on how to do this safely amid the challenges of the pandemic.
Planning the Engagement
The first element of a proposal is the ring. Fortunately, you can now buy the best ring you can afford online, even if you have a specific design in mind, such as a braided diamond engagement ring. You must make sure that you only purchase from a trustworthy and experienced seller for such a valuable piece.
The next thing you must plan is the proposal itself. People usually want this to be as romantic as possible. You can still do this today even though your choices on places that are open for business and implement physical distancing are limited. You can also do it outdoors with no other people around. You can document the event by recording it from a hidden camera and later share the video with your family and closest friends.
You can then hold an online engagement party with your loved ones. Order wine and have a bottle sent to each household so you can make an online toast.
Planning the Wedding
You must first agree on the number of people you will invite to your wedding. Everything else you plan will hinge on this. Make the number as small as possible, including only your loved ones and dearest friends. Everyone else will understand that it is not yet safe to be in a crowd since the rollout of vaccines is still in its early stages.
Having a smaller wedding will mean lower expenses. You can make up for having a small wedding by splurging a bit on some things, like your wedding rings, for instance. This is a good expense because the rings will last you a lifetime. You can also order your wedding outfits online since you will only be using these once.
When choosing contractors, aim for as few as possible. For instance, get a venue that will also provide the food and decorations. If you hire a wedding planner, get one that will also provide hair and makeup services. This means you have fewer contracts to arrange. Make sure that all your contracts are flexible in case of any pandemic-related changes. With the emergence of new virus variants, lockdowns can happen unexpectedly. Ensure that your contracts allow postponements without you losing any money or having to pay additional amounts.
If you want the simplest wedding, you can do it in your backyard with no planner or caterer. You can order flowers, food, and drinks on your own. After all, it is the ceremony itself that makes the event meaningful.
Whether it is just in your backyard or in a separate venue, your safety and that of your guests are of primary importance. You can require your guests to get vaccinated first before attending your wedding, but this is more for their protection. If you wish to protect everyone at the event, it is best to require your guests to get tested COVID-19 a few days before attending your celebration. You and your partner must also get tested. Require everyone to wear masks. Then, place chairs at a safe distance from one another and remind people to keep their distance as they mingle. Lastly, make sure that you have video coverage of the event to share it with those who cannot attend in person.
Pandemic-Proof Love
Despite COVID-19, love and life go on. While the challenges of the pandemic may have postponed some wedding festivities, many will continue to celebrate their unions this year.
For couples who decide to tie the knot amid various difficulties, this period can provide a solid foundation for a lifelong bond that withstands crisis after crisis. After all, that is what a marriage truly is — a commitment to stand by each other for better or worse.
