How to plan a wedding during COVID-19

Planning a wedding is challenging enough. There’s so much planning and preparation that goes into making sure your special day goes the way you’ve always imagined. Throwing a global pandemic into the mix makes things even more difficult.

If you recently got engaged and are now planning your wedding, there are now so many additional factors that you have to consider. That doesn’t mean you can’t get married, though. Despite the extra planning and precautions, planning (and having) a wedding is still very much possible.

Plan Virtually

A decent amount of the planning process involves meeting with potential vendors and venues. While the pandemic may have affected in-person meetings, we have the advantage of living in a digital age. A decent amount of planning weddings during COVID-19 will likely involve virtual appointments. You can schedule and hold meetings via Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, or FaceTime.

To narrow down your list of potential vendors and venues, visit different websites, and read reviews from past clients. Once you have an idea of who you like best, start making phone calls or sending emails to set up virtual appointments.

During your meetings, vendors can give you live examples of their work. Venues can take you on a virtual walk-through of their facilities. All of this allows you to see who is going to be the best fit for your wedding.

Some components of your planning, particularly the wedding gown, need to be done in person. With restrictions on group gatherings, boutiques likely have limits on how many people can be in the store at one time. They may also be limiting their appointments. Check out different shops online and browse their selections. Then call ahead of time to schedule a time to come in and try on dresses.

Find Out How Venues Handle Safety Concerns

The COVID-19 pandemic created many concerns about health and safety. You want to have your wedding, but you also want to make sure that you, your guests, and everyone working the affair stay safe. Don’t be afraid to ask how venues handle these concerns.

At Pursell Farms in Birmingham, AL, we have several policies in place that help to ensure the safety of you and your guests, including:

• Having hand sanitizer readily available
• Spacing tables six feet apart, with no more than eight chairs per table
• All food stations and passed items now have a banquet server plating or passing items
• All of our servers wear a mask and gloves
• All silverware is pre-rolled in linen napkins

Scale Back Your Guest List

While you might want to invite hundreds of people to your wedding, large-scale affairs will not likely be possible for a while. Not only that, but many people might not feel comfortable traveling. Some might not be able to travel at all.

You can still have an incredible wedding with a smaller guest list. And, thanks to technology, you have the option of live-streaming your affair. While you might not be able to have a large in-person gathering, you can invite as many as you want virtually.

Choose an Outdoor Setting

Couples have been getting married outdoors long before the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s no reason not to continue that trend. Not only does nature provide the perfect backdrop, but the open space allows for maximizing social distancing. Being out in the fresh air also helps to keep things as low-risk as possible.

At Pursell Farms, we offer two gorgeous locations to hold your wedding, Hamilton Place and The Barn. For an outdoor affair, The Barn offers multiple options for staging and celebrating your special day. It also provides incredible views of the Appalachian Mountain foothills, giving you the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable event.

Consider a Weekday Wedding

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting weddings planned earlier this year, many couples have already rescheduled their events for later this year and into next year. As a result, trying to find an open Saturday could present a bit of a challenge.

Instead of getting frustrated trying to plan your special day on a Saturday, consider having your affair on a weekday. Not only will more dates be available, but they’ll likely be cheaper. No matter what date you choose, make sure that your vendors and venue will all be available to help you turn your vision into a reality.

What to Do if Your Original Date Is Affected

If you already have your wedding date set for later this year, you might (understandably) be a bit worried. Even if the date is a few months off, things are constantly changing. If you’re considering postponing your celebration, contact your vendors and venue as soon as possible. Many may be willing to work with you to reschedule.

Along with your vendors, you’ll need to communicate the changes with your guests. Call or email your invitees and post updates to your wedding website or social media profile. You can also send out formal “change the date” cards. Be sure to get confirmation that all of your guests have received your updates.

Even if you postpone your wedding, you can (and should) still celebrate the original date. You can make it a private affair with just the two of you or host a virtual celebration with family and friends. Get dressed up and get out a bottle of champagne. If your vendors are open, consider ordering a centerpiece, a pick-up dinner, and a small cake. Not only will this help to support their businesses, but it will also help you to commemorate the occasion.

While COVID-19 may have changed wedding planning for the foreseeable future, that doesn’t mean you have to put the breaks on the process. You can complete a good amount of planning online. When you’re ready to start considering venues, Pursell Farms is here for you. For more information on our wedding spaces, available dates, and COVID-19 policies, give us a call today!