15 Oct Our thoughts and advice on managing your wedding plans during the pandemic.
“Hope is not optimism, which expects things to turn out well,
but something rooted in the conviction that there is good worth working for”
Wise words from Seamus Heaney. No-one could have predicted the world as we see it now, a global pandemic has interrupted and disrupted our lives as we know it. Some weddings have gone ahead with reduced guest numbers, some have postponed, some have unfortunately had to cancel; whatever your decision has been we feel for each and every couple as we know this is not what you had planned for your special day.
“All in this together “
Jessica Danilo Photography
It’s not something most of us in the Wedding industry had ever foreseen and with the updates and guidelines changing so rapidly, we are all trying to navigate through this together.
The realisation now is that smaller weddings are here to stay for the foreseeable future with social distancing, restrictions on guest numbers and perhaps family members not being able to travel. We have heard lots of feedback from couples in the last few months and not one of them have regretted going ahead with their wedding day with smaller numbers. Actually, they were all genuinely surprised by how heartfelt, meaningful and how much fun they had on the day. Have you read Orla’s experience of a micro wedding…..“Orla goes Micro”.
One of the reasons was being able to spend more time with their guests and really create a more relaxed and intimate occasion. Some have used some of their budget to focus on other areas of their wedding, which they would not normally have been able to; tasting menus, personalised gifts, entertainment. Some couples are relieved to be able to use some of their budget on their home, or a mini moon.
Micro weddings are a different way of celebrating but Irish couples are adapting and embracing the changes as best they can whilst also being more creative and inventive. There will always be a demand for the big party and big numbers, but for now, couples can still have their day and while it might not be what they had originally expected or planned, it will still be a day to remember. Covid-19 has disrupted so much in our lives, but it is not going to disrupt romance.
Our Advice
Mrs RedHead Photography
Plan A and Plan B
Discuss your options with your venue and plan for numbers for each level. Have a Plan A and a Plan B in place. We know some couples have already moved once if not twice so if you can try and go with your wedding date and work with the government guidelines in relation to guest numbers. However if this is impossible due to the current guidelines or you really feel a smaller, intimate wedding is not for you, consider planning for late 2021 or beyond when things should be a lot clearer.
Planning for 2021 and beyond
If you are recently engaged and planning your wedding for next year, think about the numbers and current guidelines and again plan accordingly. Talk to your venue and suppliers and see what their options and terms and conditions are if you have to change your plans. This could be an opportunity to look at quirky non-traditional venues for your wedding; maybe rent out a country house for the weekend, hire a chef and design your own menu with local produce, get married on the Cliffs of Moher with a dinner afterwards in a converted barn or pub. You have so many options with smaller numbers and can plan more for your guests with less numbers so you can be really creative.
Start early!
At present up to 25 guests can attend your wedding & the day must finish at 11pm. Why not start your day earlier, have your ceremony at 12, an early dinner and then you can still have lots of time to mingle and celebrate. You can still mark your day and maybe plan for a larger celebration when the pandemic is more manageable.
Mrs RedHead Photography
Remember to focus on you
Overall, make sure the focus remains on you both and do what feels right for you as a couple. The day is about you, your love for each other and your celebration of your future together.
Keep this in mind when planning, keep it simple, fun and memorable while also adhering to guidelines and ensuring a safe environment for everyone.
Useful Links
To read about how we are committed to the safe delivery of ceremonies during Covid 19 click here
We are keeping up to date on all of the current guidelines on the www.gov.ie website
Current wedding guidelines (subject to change) are here.
If you have any questions about your upcoming ceremonies, contact us on info@coastalceremonies.ie. We would love to chat.