Monday August 3, 2020
Tips for a “Covid Wedding”
We have a few tips to assist with planning your wedding during this weirdly weird times of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The rules change and it’s difficult to keep track of what’s up, plus the rules differ from county to county, but we will try to present logic and helpful suggestions.
Venue Selections: Don’t stop planning your wedding! If you are need or really-really want to marry in 2020, then plan for a “micro-wedding” or an intimate wedding with a very small headcount (they say 10 or under but some venues are O.K. with 50ish). Talk to venues that are offering special packages for micro-weddings. However, if planning for 2021, the micro-wedding may still be required, but be mindful that many couples are seeking popular months (April-June and September-October). Newly engaged couples are inquiring for 2022; popular dates are being booked quickly – be flexible!
We are aware of several Vixen Venues that are offering small or micro-weddings: Antiquite Maison Privee (Mid-town Sacramento), Lone Wulff Ranch (West Davis/Yolo County) and Black Oak Mountain Vineyards (El Dorado County) and Granite Bay Golf Club (Granite By/Placer County). Fantastic venues!!
Venue: Antiquite Maison Privee
Venue: Lone Wulff Ranch
Venue: Black Oak Mountain Vineyard
Venue: Granite Bay Golf Club
Ask if the venue makes arrangements for a hand-sanitizer station, or DIY something functional and cute!
Hire a Wedding Planner: Definitely consider working with a professional wedding planner – they will take the burden of rescheduling off of you and your family. Planners know your local wedding industry inside and out, and can give you valuable advice and help in so many ways.
Ceremony Officiant: Your wedding ceremony is the heart of your wedding day – no matter the headcount. Consider reaching out to Rev. Jeri Murphy a sincere, thoughtful, light-hearted and lovely person. As a non-denominational minister she will work with you to customize your ceremony. Plus, she files the license for you and takes that task off your hands.
Photo credit: Allison Lal Photography
Head Count: This is a tough one, now more than ever! But understand that a smaller, more intimate celebration allows you more money to personalize your day and allows for truly special, sweet and intimate moments and detail inclusion. Those not on the guest list will surely understand the constraints you’re under.
Ceremony Set Up: Below are some photos of what a set up for an intimate wedding ceremony could look like: For instance, consider the simplicity of marrying in front of your home or family home. Rent a few beautiful chairs from Standard Party Rental (a Vixen Vendor). They have LOTS of items to offer.
Photo Credit: Valley Images Photography
Dinner Seating: When designing the dinner tables, use 72” rounds with just 5 guests per table. That will give plenty of elbow room, and design your seating arrangement to be by family households (if possible). A sweetheart table is a good idea, or set your tables under a lovely tent to create a very special ambience.
Photo credit: Allison Stahl Studio
Venue: Patio of Antiquite Maison Privee / Flowers by Inspirations by Gina
Food Service Style: More than likely, the food service will need to be “plated” – meaning for the time being buffet style is discouraged. All of our Vixen Vendor caterers are talented, knowledgeable and very creative with menus and service. Do your homework and chat with All Seasons All Reasons, Jackson Catering & Events, and Acoustic Events – good people!
Wedding Cake or Desserts: No matter how many guests are attending, treat them to something sweet. Our Vixen Vendor Pretty Sweet bakery can be very helpful creating a small delicious wedding cake or dessert selections.
Yes, we’re sure you can find a cake topper similar to this by shopping on-line; Etsy??
DJ/MC/Lighting: Don’t think because you have chosen a micro wedding that you skip the music. Oh quite the contrary! Vixen Vendors Mike Regan of MR DJ Event Services and Bryan or Sean of Music & More Entertainment both provide excellence in entertainment. Music is very important; it sets the mood, feel and tone. It’s much nicer when your guests can hear the touching words of the ceremony (DJ’s provide wireless mics), and the right style of music for your dinner and dance party. Whether small or mid-size ,celebrating will still be happening!! And if holding your event at a private residence, add landscaping lighting to the gardens; so romantic and fun!
Landscape and garden lighting by MR DJ Event Services (as well as DJ/MC)
Photo credit: True Love Photo
Interior lighting plus DJ/MC Services by Bryan of Music & More Entertainment
Photography and Video and Live Streaming: Naturally, you’ll want to capture your love, the family members who are able to attend, and all the details you’ve worked so hard on creating. Allison Stahl Photographer and Beth of True Love Photo are wonderful photographers. Check out their website and give them a call! As important during these trying times, is the addition of video services. Video is much more than “sound” – it is also “movement.” Watching a tear roll down your mother’s cheek is priceless. Mike Jensen of Jensen Films is outstanding, and he can also arrange for live streaming for those who are unable to attend won’t miss out on the occasion!
Hope these tips and venue and vendor selections help. Best wishes and enjoy!
~The Venue Vixens
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I like your wedding tips. I need to get a wedding venue. I’ll have to consider getting a big spot.
Great tip about having round wedding tables. I think that would help maximize seating at a venue. I’ll have to consider getting a venue that is big enough to house 200 guests this summer.
It helped when you mentioned that the heart of your wedding day is the ceremony. My cousin mentioned to me last night about renting tables and chairs as they are planning their wedding ceremony. Thanks to this informative article, I’ll be sure to tell him that consulting a trusted event rental can help them with all their concerns.
I found it interesting when you said planners are experts in their field and can provide you with invaluable guidance and assistance in a variety of ways. I used to think differently about it not until you explained it briefly and it really got my attention. What you said about wedding venue was really interesting to me.