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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives, including our celebrations. Couples seeking to start their lives together face many challenges when planning their wedding during a pandemic. Instead of focusing on wedding traditions that can’t be managed with travel restrictions, social distancing, and other health and safety precautions, however, couples can embrace creative pandemic wedding ideas. With thoughtfulness and innovation, a wedding day can be an amazing and memorable event even in the midst of pandemic restrictions.

Safety First

As couples begin planning their special day during the pandemic, it is critical to take into account all local guidelines and restrictions for events, gatherings, and vendor services. Discuss safety requirements and health measures with different venues and vendors, and note how adaptable contracts may be if local restrictions change before the wedding day. At the same time, be considerate of guests’ needs, including friends and family members who may be unable or unwilling to participate in wedding festivities because of their own health concerns. The more flexible and mindful couple can be about their wedding arrangements, the more creative they can be with plans for their big day.

Creative Ideas for a Coronavirus Wedding

There are many ways to create a fun and memorable wedding day, even when it is necessary to abide by coronavirus restrictions. Innovative options include…

• Movie Screens – When seating must be spaced out to account for social distancing, guests may have difficulty hearing or seeing wedding vows and reception speeches. Using a movie screen can give everyone a great view and will be a fun addition to the event.
  
  
• Recorded Speeches – Because guest lists will be smaller and not everyone may be able to attend a wedding during COVID-19, recording speeches and toasts from extended family members can help everyone still be a part of the event even without extra attendees.
  
  
• Wedding Deliveries – When close friends and family members may not be in attendance, arranging for some tasty wedding treats, a small cake or cupcake, or personalized favors to be delivered on the wedding day can make everyone feel welcome and part of the big day.
  
  
• Drive-By Wedding – Couples may choose to get married right at home, and a front-yard wedding is a great way to invite guests for a drive-by celebration. In this way, everyone can briefly visit while still maintaining safe distances and limiting personal contact.
  
  
• Unique Local Venues – Thinking outside the box is essential for a pandemic wedding, and couples are investigating unusual venue options like a local football field (with perfectly distanced bleacher seating!), parks, or their own yard for a creative wedding space.
  
  
• Tailgate Reception – Couples can arrange a tailgate-style reception in the parking lot of their church or a local park venue. This can give everyone a chance to stay safely distanced but still be a part of the festivities, with individual flair and more casual fun.
  
  
• New Activities – Because crowded dancefloors aren’t practical when distancing is essential, new wedding activities are a must. Consider table-by-table dance offs, trivia contests, a wedding photo scavenger hunt, or hiring entertainers like a magician or comedian.
  
  
• Pandemic Favors – Wedding favors remain a great way to thank guests for being part of the special day, and pandemic-themed options like customized face masks, small sanitizer bottles, no-touch button pushers, hand soaps, or even printed toilet paper can be fun choices.
  
  
• Comfort Bands – Color-coded wristbands can be an easy way for guests to let others know what level of contact they are comfortable with, from hugs and kisses to fist bumps to waves and extra distance. Buttons, pins, or ribbons are also good options.
  
  
• Shift Weddings – For couples who can’t trim the guest list, a shift wedding can be an alternative to a larger, crowded gathering. Breaking the event into different segments or redoing the vows and a brief reception for each group can keep everyone involved.
  
  
• Online Weddings – As we’ve all gotten accustomed to online meetings and virtual gatherings, an online wedding isn’t that hard to conceive. Couples can create a gorgeous, romantic backdrop right in their home, and online guests can share toasts and greetings.
  
  
• Private Celebrations – When a couple wants to keep their original wedding plans, shifting their wedding celebration to a later date may be the only option. They can still keep their original wedding date, however, with a private celebration followed by a “sequel wedding” after pandemic restrictions have been lifted.

Above all, no matter what type of celebration a couple plans to mark their union, flexibility is essential. Because the pandemic continues to evolve, it is important for couples to adapt as needed to keep their special day unique and memorable, no matter what the situation. By embracing new options and keeping open-minded about how to make their day special, couples can have a wonderful wedding no matter what the pandemic conditions may be.