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Chloe Anagnos

Cultivating a career beyond borders

How Do You Plan a Wedding During a Pandemic?

August 18, 2020 · In: Wedding

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. 

What to ACTUALLY Do Once You’re Engaged

January 9, 2020 · In: Wedding

You’re engaged! Congratulations! So…now what?

Once the initial shock and awe wear off, here’s what you actually need to do.

Tell Close Family and Friends

A quick phone call, text, or FaceTime goes a long way. Start with immediate family, then extended family, and then close friends. Even though you may be tempted to make a social media post, those closest to you might feel snubbed if they aren’t told personally.

Get Your Ring Insured 

Seriously, seriously, seriously. Engagement rings are expensive and if you aren’t used to wearing jewelry, then it could be easy to accidentally damage or lose your ring! It’s a boring chore, but it’ll pay off in the long run if the worst were to happen.

Before You Do Any Planning, Watch Coach Mike Leach’s Rant

All jokes aside, Coach Leach is right. Understand that some people just lose their minds when it comes to wedding planning. I’ve done a ton of event planning in my career and confirmed the majority of my vendors in four days. (I’m not even kidding!) I knew what I wanted and what my non-negotiables were going into planning with my fiance. Speaking of which…

Determine Your Budget and Non-Negotiables

Crack open a bottle of wine and talk through your finances with your significant other and what your non-negotiables are when it comes to your wedding. For example, if you know that you only care about getting married in your hometown church, then make sure the two of you agree and plan around your “must-haves,” then fill in with vendors as they’re available. Also, realize that you don’t have to spend big $$$ to have a fabulous wedding! I think too many couples try to “keep up” and play the comparison game when it comes to their wedding.

I’m a Greek-American and have been to a TON of weddings. The only thing that truly matters is if 1) the couple looks great 2) the food is yummy and 3) the reception was fun. That’s it!

I’ve been to very expensive weddings that were downright awkward, and inexpensive weddings that were so fun I still talk about them. (Cost doesn’t matter!)

Make a Preliminary Guest List, Then Cut That Sh*t Down

When scoping out vendors, everyone is going to ask you how many guests you’re inviting. Your guest list is going to determine almost every aspect of your wedding – from the headcount for catering to the number of favors, invitations, save-the-dates and so on. Make an initial guest list and then cut. it. down.

This is probably the hardest part of planning a wedding, but when the average catering cost for a wedding in the U.S. is $4,000+, the cost adds up quickly.

Enjoy Being Engaged! 

Just ENJOY! The first few weeks can feel overwhelming, but there’s no rush to have your entire wedding planned in four days. (Unless you’re crazy like me!)

If you’re not sure what you want for your big day, take your time interviewing vendors and ask friends and family who have got married recently for their recommendations too.

Enjoy this time planning with your significant other and remember that the day is really about the two of YOU and your vision to kick off married life together.

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