The Coronavirus pandemic has changed the entire wedding and event industry for the foreseeable future. Here are just a few ideas for how to plan your wedding during COVID-19.

Let’s be honest, even during normal times, planning a wedding can be stressful. This is often the first (and only) time you are looking at hosting such a large event, and there are so many traditions to keep track of. But in 2020, brides and grooms all over the world have been faced with a problem much deeper than a catering mix-up or rushed alterations. In light of COVID-19, most wedding celebrations (and large events as a whole) this spring and into the summer have been cancelled. The day so many couples have spent months planning can no longer go on as planned.

So what is a couple to do?

Believe it or not, if you are still hoping to be married this year but find it difficult to plan due to the restrictions around the country and the globe, there are still options for you. Here are some ideas for a Plan B:

Elope!

Elopements have been growing in popularity over the past few years as they can save you a lot of expense and headache from planning a bigger, more traditional wedding, and you’re truly free to do whatever you want. Find a location you love (be sure to check that it will be open for you) and say your vows there. Plan a day of doing something you love together. Bring along your photographer and videographer to document the excitement and adventure of the day. Have no regrets.

You can choose to invite some close family to your elopement, or keep it as private as possible. It is completely up to you. Just keep in mind that in most states (like New Mexico and Colorado where I am based) there are restrictions to the size of gatherings.

Elope AND Still Have Your Reception Later

This is what I like to call having your cake and eating it too, because it’s kind of the best of both worlds. You can keep your original wedding date and have a small elopement ceremony where you sign and make it legal, and still plan to postpone the larger celebrations for a time when it’s not so hard for friends and extended family to travel and gather all together. Many couples are choosing this so that they don’t have to completely forget about their long-planned wedding-day dreams, but can still honor their date and devotion to marry each other no matter what.

Postpone Entirely

Some couples may find it easier to just put a firm hold on their wedding plans and just wait until it is safe to carry them out the way they have envisioned. There is nothing wrong with that! 

Downsize Your Currently Scheduled Wedding

The likelihood of very large events and gatherings does not look great for the rest of 2020. But, depending on your wedding date (like later this summer or this fall) you may be able to have some larger groups. If you don’t want to postpone your wedding and you think it’s likely you’ll at least be able to keep some of the original plans for the day (like the venue, catering, etc.) then by all means, keep whatever plans you can! You just might be faced with the tough decision of cutting down the guest list.

No matter what you decide to do with your wedding as you continue planning during COVID-19, I advise you to keep an open conversation with your wedding vendors, your family, and your possible guests. Make sure you know what your options are with each of your vendors as far as rescheduling, downsizing your packages, and working around any mandates for social distancing, sanitation protocols, etc. And, be sure you know how your loved ones feel about your plans if you want to include them but they have concerns for their health and safety. Some people may not be able to make it to your wedding due to the various risks right now.

Embrace What it Is

I know this sucks. It’s okay to be upset and mourn your former wedding plans. When you’re ready to pick back up and make the best of it, here are a few ideas that might help you make your wedding day during COVID-19 special.

Every couple is going to approach this problem differently. Whether you decide to elope, postpone, downsize, or some combination of options, make sure you’re doing what’s best for you and not what seems most trendy, or just because it’s what some other couple you know is doing. This day is still about you and your marriage.

Hey friend! I’m Delia–a wedding photographer who loves adventure just as much as snuggling on the couch with her dog. My photography is fun and colorful and embraces the real you. I’m based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but I photograph weddings all throughout New Mexico, Colorado, and the southwest. I love to connect with and help my clients as much as possible. Check out the wedding planning tips section of my blog for more helpful advice.