We happily said bye bye to 2020 with relief and excitement of what a new year could finally bring. But, 2021 swiftly arrived and here in Australia we found that we are still facing challenges due to COVID restrictions and border closures.
This has led to a lot of my couples rethinking exactly what their day could possibly look like…
Do you picture your 2021/2022 celebration as a huge celebration with 150 people? A scaled down affair with maybe 50 guests? Or maybe a simple elopement with just the two of you and your witnesses could be exactly what you want.
So before you even start your wedding planning, I want you to have an open, calm discussion on what are the most important, non-negotiable things you want for your day (besides marrying your lover of course).
Now think about whether it still looks relatively the same if there are government-forced restrictions at the time of your wedding.
Will you be majorly affected? Can your wedding still go ahead as planned? Are you flexible on your vision, or is there absolutely no room to move? I’ve listed a few scenarios to help you to best prepare for the most stress-free wedding day possible in 2021/2022.
Consider hosting a scaled down guest list or a micro wedding
Micro weddings are like the baby sibling to a big shebang, but with limited guest numbers. You don’t have to hire a venue for this style of celebration, but you might want to book out your favourite local restaurant or café instead! (support small business always)
If you do book a venue, always check how many people will be allowed to attend per sq metre. If, for example, your venue can only hold 80 people during this time, then cull your guest-list early to reflect this (check your state government website for current updates).
If you choose an outdoor location, please… please have a plan B! If you hire a local event stylist for your micro wedding they will help you with this (see my suppliers recommendations on the Resources page).
Consider eloping and partying later
I’m definitely a big fan of elopements. I even have a side business that specialises in making elopements so wonderful you’ll wonder why you even considered a bigger do! It’s called The Little Wedding Wagon for those who are asking…
The benefit of an elopement is that even in most worst-case scenarios, you’ll still be able to marry on the day you chose. You can say your vows, dress up or down, go to the location of your choice, get some pretty fabulous photos or videography to remember the moment, then plan for a really big celebration with your loved ones when we aren’t in the middle of a world-wide pandemic!
Lock in the vendors you can use no matter how much the plan may change
The only non-negotiable wedding vendor that you actually can’t do without if you want to marry in Australia, is, surprise surprise – your marriage celebrant! Everything else just adds the flavour to the day.
My suggestion is to lock in your celebrant & photographer first. The reason being is that they will adapt to your circumstances very easily, as their outlay is only themselves. If they have to move locations they can. If you have to scale down your wedding plans, at least you’ll still legally marry and have some shit-hot images to go with it! While not perfect, this may soften the blow somewhat.
Unfortunately, there will always be things that can’t be avoided because of ‘Rona, such as;
- International and domestic border closures meaning loved ones can’t make it
I know this can be very upsetting for you both, but I’m sure your loved ones will want you to marry regardless. By now, they will understand that you’ve possibly postponed several times already and are riding a seemingly endless rollercoaster of emotions. Trust me, they want you to marry and they will be more than happy to watch via FaceTime, Zoom, or livestream from their homes with a champagne in hand! I guarantee the party when you all eventually reconnect will be HUGE, and you can think of it like remarrying, all over again!
My tip - If you plan on live streaming, please check the internet reception at your venue BEFORE the big day. Don’t leave it till 5 minutes before kick off, otherwise you’ll be risking some potentially awkward technical difficulties for yourself and anyone watching.
- Dance floor limits
Weddings are known as a good time to let loose on the dancefloor and celebrate the good vibes! In NSW especially, they tend to limit the number on the dancefloor to only 20 people (including the wedding party). For the introverts in the crowd this is a godsend! For others, not so much.
My tip - When you send out your invites, ask people on the RSVP if they would like to be in the top 20 dance crew. Then put all their names into a hat, like a competition, and ask your MC to announce the lucky 20 to commence the dance off! Good times will ensue, and the remaining guests who need to sit it out can dance where they are sitting or around their individual tables.
- Very limited guest numbers or a complete ban on weddings due to COVID-imposed lockdown across states and territories
This is a scenario that has happened all too often and one that can’t be avoided unfortunately.
My tip - BEFORE you lock in your vendors, read and reread their ‘Terms and Conditions’ before agreeing to engage them, so you know what to expect if this happens. They should have a clear COVID 19 clause within the service agreement, to clarify their policy toward refunds, deposits, and rescheduling in the frustrating event of a lockdown.
It’s been a tough 18 months so far in the wedding world, but I hope you always know that I will support you both and keep you calm until you can finally marry, whatever that looks like in the end!
Let’s do this lovers x