The coronavirus has turned the world on its head. Still, many people have gotten engaged or have been planning a wedding during 2020. While weddings might look a little different this year, that doesn’t mean they can’t happen. Here’s how to safely celebrate your upcoming nuptials during the pandemic.

Enforce masks to be worn at your reception. Strongly encourage your guests to wear their masks during the wedding reception, cocktail hour, and on the dance floor. Doing so will not only keep your guests safe, but those who might feel hesitant about big gatherings will also feel more comfortable if everyone is wearing a mask. To encourage your guests to wear their masks, provide them as a favor. Set them out at everyone’s seat or include a display of them at the entrance of your wedding venue.
Create a smaller guest list. Throwing a wedding during a pandemic means cutting down significantly on your guest list. Consider those most at risk of the coronavirus — if your guest list includes a lot of older people, you may want to think about including them in a safer, more virtual way. Of course, you can also assume some of the people you invite might not feel comfortable attending a large gathering like a wedding. Maintain an A list and a B list so that when you receive declines from your first list, you can extend the invite to those on the second list. By cutting back on the number of people you invite, you help make your wedding a safer environment for yourself and those who choose to come.

Limit the number of guests at each table. Once you have your final headcount, you’ll need to figure out your seating chart. Connect with your venue’s coordinator to see about cutting back on the number of guests at each table. Typically, 10 to 12 guests are seated together. But with social distancing in place, you’ll likely want to cut that number in half. Doing so will help your guests stay safe and feel comfortable with their decision to attend your wedding.
Host the wedding outdoors. If you’re able, hosting a wedding outdoors can help make your wedding guests feel safer. We are gearing up for the cold winter months, but many wedding venues in Bucks County are equipped to handle outdoor weddings. From tented areas to outdoor space heaters and fire pits, there are plenty of ways you can host an outdoor wedding comfortably this time of year. Talk to your wedding venue about what they can provide. If you choose to have your wedding outside during the pandemic, consider supplying guests with throw blankets or shawls to amp up their comfort level.

Shorten the time of your reception. Typically, weddings are an all-day event. From the ceremony to the cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, and sometimes even an after-party, a wedding can be hours long. With the pandemic risks at play, it’s best to cut back on the time of your wedding. Instead of hosting a 4-5-hour reception, have your ceremony and keep your reception to an hour or two. As with the other steps, this will help ensure you and your guests’ safety and allow them to feel comfortable while they enjoy your special day.
This year is all about adjusting and patience. Though your initial wedding plans may be altered, you can still celebrate your big day safely with these pandemic wedding tips. Cheers!