Let’s be honest: We are ALL tired of hearing the words CoVid, Coronavirus, social distance or quarantine as part of our event planning vocabulary. However, after planning and coordinating a few weddings during this pandemic, I compiled a list of ways you can have a CoVid friendly wedding:

1. Choose a seat not a side.. 

• You’ve probably heard that saying before when attending a trying to choose a sit during wedding ceremony. However during a pandemic, choosing the proper seat is important! For my couples, we set your ceremony chairs in groups of two or one six feet apart. That way guests who come together will be able to stay together as well.

2. Plated meals 

• Having a plated meal for you and your guests helps unnecessary exposure to food and beverage during dinner. Each plate can be prepared and stored safely until it is time to eat. 

3. Come together-eat together 

• To help prevent unnecessary contact, we suggest that when you are finalizing your seating chart to keep family and friends who are attending or living together at the same table. 

• Tip: be open to the fact that you may need to have different size tables to accommodate guest party size. Your planner can provide you with amazing ways to set up your space if you do need to go this route.

4. Faux Cakes 

A fake cake? No, thank you! Before you cut the cake idea (pun intended) listen to what Michelle, owner of Bakers Cottage Cakes has to say about faux cakes: 

“People naturally gravitate to the cake area. Sometimes they tease about tasting the frosting and yes, some folks have even done so. A faux cake alleviates this possible problem of contamination. We carve out a piece of the bottom tier “faux cake” and insert a piece of real cake, so our couple can still fully experience their cake cutting ceremony.”

5. You don’t have to go home but… 

• Pre-CoVid days, weddings could probably last until dawn. Friends and family dancing the night away was a must. Now, having a shorter reception might be something to reconsider. Moving up the timeline will help eliminate the unease of guests who don’t want to dance. Plus, you can substitute some dancing with other fun and interactive activities/performances.

Bonus CoVid friendly wedding idea: take off your shoes!

Wait, hear me out.. Don’t ask everyone to take off their shoes. I was specifically talking about the honored couple of the evening. A few of my CoVid couples have played the shoe game during their reception. This is a fun interactive game that limits guests’ interaction, while still being entertaining. 

What exactly is the shoe game? I think this article on Brides.com describes it the best: 

“During your reception, after you’ve enjoyed some dinner, dancing, and drinks, place two chairs back-to-back on the dance floor for the bride and groom. Remove both of your shoes, then trade a shoe with your new spouse so that you’re holding one of each. Then, have a designated person ask a series of questions about the two of you and your relationship (i.e.. “Who will be doing most of the cooking?” “Who said ‘I love you’ first?”). After each question, hold up the shoe of the person you think is the best answer to the question”

I always suggest having your bridal party come up with the questions (15-20 questions would work)! That way the reactions can be really genuine. And have someone that can facilitate the questions in a fun way too!

I hope these CoVid friendly wedding tips helped you realize that you can still have a great (yet safe) wedding. 

Which tip is your favorite? 

Still not sure what to do while planning your wedding? Check out our wedding planning made easy tips!