Love Endures | The New Wedding Normal

The effects of COVID-19 have impacted all engaged couples, requiring changes in plans, locations and/or guest counts. On the one hand, it can be stressful, emotional, and financially draining. On the other hand, it can be freeing, empowering and innovative. We have loved watching new ideas emerge and our couples be released from limits put on them by tradition or etiquette. As we have seen more COVID weddings, we get to feel the excitement from guests as they get to take part in an original experience. Our couples are pure joy to see their wedding day play out, after what may have been several reversions. The weddings of today have definitely been a shakeup to what we've been used to, but hopefully some of the lessons learned are here to stay!

A Modern Micro-wedding

The modern micro-wedding is the most appealing to an easy-going bride who is taking the pandemic in stride. She was never obsessed with the idea of a big formal or traditional wedding, so something whimsical and spontaneous excites her.

We are often full of wonderful ideas when it comes to personalizing place settings or glamming up a space. However, with weddings, those ideas can get costly. A smaller guest count decreases the amount of money spent on food and beverage, which allows us to turn up the creativity on design. At a recent wedding of 20 guests, we monogrammed each linen napkin, so the bride and groom had a set of memorabilia to cherish when they entertain as a married couple - definitely an added bonus for a smaller group.

Smaller guest counts also allow for more intimacy, promoting stronger memories with the ones closest to you. The natural and organic experiences with a smaller group can be so romantic as well, not watered down with some of the drama that comes with an evening filled with formalities.

Romantic Reschedule

Due to the pandemic, rescheduling the ceremony and reception is a common practice these days. Brides want to have the day they've been dreaming of (and paying for), and who can blame them? Keeping all of their plans intact, they are moving the festivities to another date when they don't have to worry about last-minute curve balls, including adjusted guest lists and safety concerns.

It takes some time and flexibility, but it's really important to coordinate with your entire vendor team when keeping the entirety of your plans together. However, it will all be worth it to have peace of mind that your wedding experience doesn't have to change when you reschedule. You CAN have your cake and eat it too, just on another day!

The Classic Elopement

We have had several clients opt for elopement now and rescheduling the big party for a later date, post-COVID. We have had couple with just their parents and sibling in a big church originally planned for 500 guests, or in their living room in front of a fireplace in jeans and t-shirts!

The classic elopement covers your wedding "bases". You are married, you can share insurance, you can start building your life together. The business of being married is complete and you get to keep your original wedding date. This allows brides to feel more settled with the uncertain future and focus mostly on a party instead of the legal formalities that seal the deal.

The No Rules Bride

With all the changes and adjustments that COVID has required, etiquette and expectations have had to change as well. We love the bride who is willing to ride this wave and make up her own rules as she goes. In a normal climate, there is so much planning-related stress that comes with pleasing everyone and conforming to the traditional expectations. It can be a relief to release brides from these regulations and embrace the opportunity to write their own scripts.

Brides may opt for a bolder wedding gown, a boozy ceremony or casual brunch. They are also happy to include their guests in whatever way they can, whether it is a live-streamed ceremony on Facebook or having guests join the reception via Zoom. Without rules, new ideas and magical moments tend to emerge.

Thank you to Hannah Schumm of Weddings by Hannah, 2016 Main Event Space, Gown Gallery, Good Earth Floral Design Studio, and East + West Designs.