I have no idea, but apparently I’m doing it.
The last time I blogged about my upcoming nuptials, I mentioned that I originally planned our wedding in about four days . . . and I know exactly how I did it.
I used the same “event planning formula” I use in my business – pick a color scheme, build trust with vendors, keep all details in one spreadsheet, and delegate, delegate, delegate.
Unless you’re a Kardashian, event planning is really not that hard.
What I didn’t realize, however, is how difficult planning a once-in-a-lifetime-event is during a global pandemic.
I’m not writing this blog post to get any sympathy or attention – that’s not my style and there are much larger problems in the world than “My WeDdInG!!!” *cue whiny voice*
However, I realize that – like most industries – COVID has greatly disrupted events and weddings in 2020. (And it will most likely continue into 2021 and 2022 as more people get engaged.)
Here’s how we’re making it work.
Keep Up With State and Local Guidelines
This one should really go without saying, but read your state and local government websites. Are there mask mandates where you’re getting married? Limitations on the number of people who can be in one space at a time?
You might get put into a position where decisions will be made for you in terms of guest count, etc. If your venue location dictates that you can’t have more than 150 people and your guest list is 250+ . . . then it looks like you need to cut your list down if you plan to keep your original date and location.
Talk to Your Vendors & Read Your Contracts
Talk. To. Your. Damn. Vendors.
Read. Your. Damn. Contracts.
What are your vendors’ limitations, if any? Are they even still operating?
Depending on your date, check-in with your vendors every 2-3 weeks to make sure you’re all still on the same page in terms of expectations.
If you’re rescheduling your date or really modifying it, read your contracts so that you aren’t surprised if you can’t get a deposit back, etc.
In my experience, most vendors are willing to bend over backward to keep your business if you need to push your wedding into next year.
Set Real Expectations
At the beginning of the pandemic, I kept telling myself that “Oh-it’s-okay-we’ll-be-fine-by-September.”
This was dumb.
Have an honest conversation with yourself.
If you are still planning on having a 2020 wedding, you will most likely have a shorter guest list, your guests will have to wear masks except when eating/drinking, and you’ll have to distance tables.
If you really are set on having a larger wedding, be okay with the headache of rescheduling.
Setting REAL expectations all goes back to my original piece of advice about communicating with your partner and having a list of “must-haves” when it comes to your event . . .
Communicate With Your Partner
What do you both really want?
Do you want a giant celebration? Or do you just want to be married?
For us, it was more important to be married in the eyes of God on our original date no matter the size of our guest list.
Does it suck that some of our out-of-state family and friends can’t be there? Of course!
But do we know that they still love us (and we love them) and that they’re always with us no matter what? Obviously!
Make a Decision and Stick to It
About two months out, we went through all of our options and decided to keep our date with modifications knowing that our guest list would be smaller.
I called it “rolling the dice” with our wedding, but not having “a decision” weighed on me, especially since the goalposts kept moving for us in terms of government restrictions.
If you find yourself in the same position, make your decision and stick to it unless forces outside of your control make you move to Plan B, C, or D.
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