Wedding Planning During COVID-19 | Chattanooga Tent

Wedding Planning During COVID-19

May 22nd, 2020

Love in the Time of COVID-19

The global pandemic and spread of COVID-19 has left many engaged couples facing difficult decisions. They’re dealing with the disappointment of letting go of what they had already planned, while working to safely pivot their wedding plans in this new climate. As your wedding tent vendor, the team at Chattanooga Tent is here to help you navigate these circumstances regardless of where you are in the process of planning your Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville, or Birmingham wedding. In effort to help during this time, we’ve rounded up some great advice and resources we hope will make this situation easier while also putting your mind at ease.

Wedding planning or replanning during COVID-19 can be tricky but try these tips to help.

Things to consider as you plan or replan your wedding:

  1. Your Wedding Date– During this time of social distancing and shelter-in-place orders, it’s important to know what the restrictions are in your area, also factoring in what you and your fiancé, family, and wedding party is comfortable with given the circumstances.
  2. Your Wedding Venue– Is your wedding venue currently open/allowing events to transpire? If closed, when do they plan to reopen? What are their policies about event rescheduling?
  3. The Health & Comfort of Your Guests– We know masked guests and 6-foot buffers weren't likely facets of the wedding day you always dreamt of. Furthermore, hosting an event at which everyone is stressed or worried about the virus doesn’t sound like a lot of fun. Particularly if you have guests who are older, they have to worry about being at greater risk for complications from COVID-19.

Communication

As in most things, communication is key within this limbo wedding climate. It’s imperative to communicate with vendors to ensure you are on the same page. It’s also important to keep open lines of communication with your wedding party and your guests so they can plan accordingly. Everyone wants to be a part of your special day, and though the bride and groom are surely hit the hardest by these unideal circumstances, families and friends feel it too.

Tips for communicating with guests about plan changes:

  • Update your wedding website continually as plans change. This is a great, fast way to communicate in real time with the folks involved in your wedding day.
  • Consider sending out printed materials. Follow up your Save-the-Date cards with a Change-of-Date card to keep everyone informed. Bonus: This is just another great opportunity to show off more of your beautiful engagement photos!
  • Be flexible and patient with yourself and your guests. Everyone is feeling the effects of this pandemic. Some are without work, others are stressed and without childcare, so remember that even though you have big things going on, others do too.
  • Let safety steer the ship. Stay abreast of new information surrounding the virus, and safety guidelines per the CDC as well as local and federal regulations as you rework your plans.

Celebrate Virtually

Most of us have gotten very acquainted with digital platforms like Zoom during the last several weeks. Whether you’ve used Zoom and Google Hangouts for work meetings or digital hangs with your friends and family lately, you know it can be a great way to feel a little connection. That can apply to your wedding events as well. Maybe gathering for a wedding shower or bachelorette party isn’t a safe option for right now due to the pandemic, but you can still find ways to celebrate safely. Check out this list of 5 wedding events to host virtually by WeddingWire to get a little inspiration.

Let Your Family Help

Even though you can’t all be together physically right now, there are still ways you can let your family and friends be involved in your wedding planning. Get creative about how you can let the people who love you be a part of this planning process, even if it’s in unconventional ways.

  • Set up virtual planning meetings weekly via Zoom or FaceTime, and let yourself feel excited about what’s to come even though circumstances aren’t ideal.
  • Let your family members weigh in on decision making. They will feel important knowing you want their input, and their help will take the burden off your shoulders.
  • Assign certain tasks to certain family members. Getting organized about who will do what will feel good, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Having ownership of certain aspects of the wedding will also help your loved ones feel important.
  • Schedule virtual wedding venue tours together, or shop for the dress online via the wondrous power of screenshare.
Wedding planning during COVID-19 can be tricky but Chattanooga Tent is here to help with everything from the wedding tent rental to the china.

Wed Now, Party Later

Who’s to say you can’t go ahead and say “I do” to the love of your life now, and save the reception or party for down the road? You could even consider livestreaming your ceremony so you can still share it with the people you love most. No matter what you decide, flexibility is key here as you work to pivot the details of your wedding plans. Consider enjoying an intimate ceremony, elopement, or simple courthouse-style exchange of vows now, and planning a party with every single person you like (even a little bit) for a safer date in the future. We’ll bring the party tent! As always, feel free to reach out to our team at Chattanooga Tent if there is any aspect of your wedding or event that we can assist with. Pandemic or not, we’re here for you.