2020 taught us many valuable lessons when planning an event through a pandemic. Here are some words we now live by as we dive into the 2021 wedding season.

Be open-minded, be flexible and get creative. You can’t put your plans and life on hold for the perfect moment.
As restrictions slowly lift per state with the rollout of the new vaccine, we might start to see couples comfortably hosting weddings with a 100+ guest count later this fall. If you’re planning for an intimate affair, a micro wedding, or a rescheduled reception this year, here are some planning tips to consider along the way. 

Photo: M.Laine Photography

Venue:Winter Green Weddings

Rentals & Floral Cort Party Rentals | The Meaningful Details | Linen Sensation | Floral Blume Design  ***

OVER COMMUNICATING

Keep your guests updated with event information and safety measures through a personalized wedding website. You can also consider adding an extra insert sleeve into your formal invitations. Your guests will truly appreciate the extra details and communication leading up to your wedding weekend.

Photo:  Sweet Luna Photography Venue: The Waterfront Venue at Narrows MarinaAcrylic Menu & Design: Impress Ink
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RSVP RESPONSES
Give your guests ample time to make a comfortable decision about attending your wedding in person. We recommend that RSVP responses should have at least a 30 day out response due back window prior to your wedding date. This still allows time to give your caterer and venue solid hard numbers before their requested due date. Make sure to review your catering and venue contracts to ensure that you do meet their 7-14 days out final guest count deadline. As life happens, you may anticipate between a 10-20% drop out rate of attendance from the final RSVP YES count. It happens.

Photo:  Sweet Luna Photography Venue: The Waterfront Venue at Narrows MarinaStationery & Design: Impress Ink
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LIVE STREAMING
As you’re doing your vendor research, double tab on a live stream vendor and keep their contact information handy. You might want to have your ceremony live streamed for the safety of your guests who are not able to travel. Your friends and family from a distance won’t want to miss watching your unity.

Photo: Beauty of the Soul StudioCeremony: Blessed Sacrament DC
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HAND SANITIZERS
Did you buy a bulk of hand sanitizers and color-themed facemasks in 2020? Don’t put them away just yet. Keep these gold-like items around for your upcoming wedding day. We will help display them in visible areas at each of your event locations. It’s now a part of the new norm to look around and find a sanitizing station and masks at any establishment. Keep the safety good habits going.

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HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER
HAVE WE CAUGHT YOUR ATTENTION YET? If you find yourself overwhelmed trying to keep up with all the planning timeline, vendor research and staying up-to-date with event guidelines, consider hiring a wedding planner to help take the workload off your plate. I tell couples that have planned their entire wedding to bring on a Passionate Weddings coordinator. We can help iron out all their pre wedding details 30 days out and provide onsite management for a worry-free day.

Photo: Bakerture

Venue: Weddings at the Woodlands

Floral Eight Tree Street Floral Design

USING ADDITIONAL EVENT SPACE

Photo: Darling Photographers

Venue: The Winery at Bull Run 

If your venue offers an outdoor or extra event space, consider using it as a lounge space for guests that may want to continue practicing social distancing after dinner and all the formalities. You can get creative by setting up an open space with string lights, lounge furniture, or a mixture of scattered cocktail tables. Add in some personal touch to the extra space by displaying some framed engagement photos, votive candles and some small décor pieces that tie in from your reception.People will naturally flow into areas where food and drinks are provided.. Setting up a display of fun self-served, pre-packaged personalized desserts and a infused beverages station is never a bad idea.

VENDORS RESCHEDULING POLICIES
Changes can happen, and it’s best to ask your potential vendors about their rescheduling policies should your state mandate any gathering changes or restrictions that may impact your 2021 wedding date. Make sure to have all information listed in writing and signed by both parties to avoid any miscommunication down the road.
We all know how much we miss attending live events and group gatherings. We’re one day closer (hopefully) to being able to celebrate without barriers. Here’s to planning for 2021 weddings and events.

Photo: Sweet Luna Photography 

Venue: The Waterfront Venue at Narrows Marina