How COVID-19 Will Continue to Impact Weddings in 2021

Recently, after dating for some time, your sweetheart proposed, and you were thrilled to say “Yes!”  Now, the two of you are excited to plan your wedding.

As you know from speaking with friends who got married in 2020, COVID-19 has greatly impacted the way weddings are held. The entire wedding industry has had to adapt to CDC guidelines during the global pandemic, creating a challenge for couples as they plan their wedding day.

To help make the process as easy and stress-free as possible, it’s important to have a good handle on what to expect during the planning process, as well as to have some backup options in mind. Additionally, know that in spite of the pandemic, you can still have the big day of your dreams, including keeping plenty of time-honored traditions.

What Has Changed

Prior to COVID-19, couples would typically meet in-person with vendors to decide on things like food and drinks, a DJ or band, photography, flowers and more. Of course, the pandemic has thrown everything for a loop and changed this approach. Many wedding vendors and site coordinators may prefer — and be more comfortable with — meeting via Zoom and other online methods. You may also find yourself texting photos of flowers back and forth to your florist and doing dress and tuxedo fittings through FaceTime. The pandemic has also impacted occupancy at many venues; instead of a big group of friends and family, you may have to pare down your guest list considerably.

Alternatives to Consider

Because you’re understandably eager to tie the knot, there are ways to go about it that take COVID-19 precautions into account. Of course, one option is to get legally hitched now — either at a local courthouse or by a wedding officiant at a venue of your choosing, with a small group of people in attendance. Then, once the pandemic is behind us, you can plan a bigger, second celebration that includes everyone who couldn’t make it to your “minimony.” 

Another idea is to plan a relatively small wedding with a limited number of guests and then invite others to join in the festivities online. You can set up a laptop decorated with flowers near where you’re reciting your vows as guests log in via Zoom to watch the nuptials take place. To make this work as effectively as possible, it’s important to communicate ahead of time all the important details with your guests who will be “attending” your wedding online. For any in-person guests, let them know about any mask or social distancing policies, as well as how many people are expected to attend.

What Remains the Same

While some aspects of a pandemic wedding are decidedly different than normal times, there are still plenty of traditions you can include with little to no issues. If you’re hosting a minimony, you can still cut the wedding cake with your beloved and serve your guests slices of the delicious dessert.

Additionally, you can certainly treat yourself to some gorgeous, sexy bridal lingerie to wear on your wedding night. Most importantly, you’re still able to celebrate your love for each other with a meaningful ceremony — even if it’s rather small in nature. After all, weddings are ultimately not about the location, the size of the guest list, or what’s on the dinner menu, but rather about the love between two people and the desire to spend the rest of your lives together.

Enjoy Your Special Day

COVID-19 has impacted our world in a number of ways, but it doesn’t have to stop beautiful weddings from taking place. By anticipating some challenges ahead of time and making some contingency plans, just in case, and enjoying the traditions that can still be part of your big day, your wedding will still be a beautiful and memorable occasion.

Flush the Fashion

Editor of Flush the Fashion and Flush Magazine. I love music, art, film, travel, food, tech and cars. Basically, everything this site is about.