Changing Your Wedding Plans, Going Small

If 2020 taught me anything, it’s that there is magic in both big and SMALL weddings. This pandemic everyone has been challenged with has really forced the wedding industry and our couples to do some pivoting and shifting. It’s made my couples really think about what is MOST important to them on their wedding day. For some of my couples, it ended up being what they always wanted anyways. Others, are still dreaming of that big party blowout and will wait as long as possible until they can have that celebration. Others are choosing to elope now, and will celebrate later when the time is right. There is no right, there is no wrong- it' is all about what the TWO of YOU envision for your day.

Majority of my 2020 couples however, chose to downsize their bigger planned wedding to a smaller intimate wedding. Somewhere between eloping + a wedding and whatever the current regulations on gatherings were offering. My goal here is to help some of you who may be faced with doing the same, navigate some of these challenges.

NOTIFY YOUR VENDORS

Adjustments to weddings are being made during these times and your vendors are no exception to these changes. As a photographer, I’m doing my best to keep up to date with the current regulations and standards and rules. As well as being flexible with my couples and as understanding as possible, given the circumstances. If you are looking at making any major changes to your wedding plans, s end an email to your vendors just keeping them in the loop. If you are moving your date, you’ll want to reach out as soon as possible so you don’t lose a deposit and are able to reschedule and coordinate with all of them.

A SMALLER GUEST LIST

The first thing you’ll likely need to do is downsize your guest list. UHG- I know. It was hard enough to MAKE in the first place, and now having to downsize it seems nearly impossible. Since the rules and regulations are constantly changing, my recommendation to you is to make a few tiers of guests as you downsize. Start with 50 people- likely your families and closest friends. Then cut that list down to 25-30 guests (as the current regulations in Washington stand). These are likely to be your CLOSEST family and friends, your ride or dies. With COVID- recognize that there may be some of these guests that can’t attend or choose not to as well. A blessing in disguise has been than most people are understanding of these times we are facing- and when told that you are downsizing your wedding and they are no longer on that list, will mostly understand this decision.

RETHINK COMMUNICATION

While we traditionally send out a Save the Date, followed by Invitations down the road- you are now going to want to think of the BEST and most efficient way to communicate with your guests. You might consider sending out one more card communicating the changes in plans. On the card include a link to a wedding website where you can easily keep it up to date on the most current status of your wedding. If your original wedding was small enough, reaching out to your guests individually may be an option as well.

In terms of preparing guests who are going to be in attendance- be clear with your expectation of them ahead of time. Will there be masks? Will there be social distancing? Are you requiring any form of COVID-test OR quarantine. I had a handful of events ask their guests to take extra precautions before their day to be considerate of other guests- cut back on social gatherings for two weeks or being extra careful to wear masks leading up to the event to be as safe as possible headed into their day.

GET CREATIVE WITH GUEST SAFETY

With social distancing being encouraged, it may be a good idea to rethink your layout + location. Bringing events outdoors as much as possible for fresh air flow, and creating spaces that allow a safe distance between guests. For your ceremony, consider bunching families together in a circle ceremony around the two of you, instead of traditional rows of people. This creates an incredibly intimate setting where everyone feels included in your nuptials.

You may need to work with your venue on what the current regulations are if you are getting married indoors. A recent wedding had their wedding party walk individually down the aisle and then stand 6 feet apart so they wouldn’t have to wear masks in the ceremony photos. While all guests were still required to wear masks in the audience, the bride and groom handed out black masks to give it a less distracting view in photos (Yes, Uncle Bob- we know you love the Broncos but the Orange and Blue mask isn’t really going with the vibe or your outfit)

LEVEL UP YOUR DECOR AND DETAILS

While your budget originally had room for 200+ guests and the details to go along with that, you now have a lot more room to work with now that you’ve downsized. You can create a beautiful ceremony spot and allow your florist to get creative here to make it even more special now. Or add some custom signage to give your day that extra personal feel. Or build out beautiful tablescapes for you and your family to enjoy over food.

CREATE ROOM FOR INTIMATE MOMENTS

Naturally with a smaller guest list, the feeling of the day will be more intimate and heart felt. Maximize these moments- maybe you set aside some time for the two of you to go on a walk, exchange special gifts, sing around a bonfire, or write letters to each other to be opened in the future. Without such a hectic wedding day schedule that comes with big weddings, you may find you have more time to slow things down and create some intimate moments for the two of you to enjoy.

While you will have your closest friends and family there, you may feel bittersweet about the thought of the friends and family that couldn’t attend. Michelle and Mike’s friends and family who coulnd’t attend sent in short video clips that were compiled for them to watch before their ceremony.

FOOD + DRINKS

This also may have you rethinking your food and drink options. Think about options that are single-serve or pre-plated. These will allow guests to feel safe while enjoying themselves (and may also save you some money) Thinks like small wine bottles or seltzers, or beer from a bottle or can, or even premade canned cocktails that are now available! Appetizers can be prepared ahead of time and be individually served in grab-and-go style, you can get really creative with these! Dinner options may be switching from buffet lines to something pre-plated with your catering team or you may even opt for something more casual (did someone say Chiptole Burritos?!) This extends into desserts as well, option for single serve options and save the large tiered cake for another event. Bagged Donuts, Mini Cakes, Cupcakes, or Mini Ice Cream Pints- who wouldn’t LOVE these things?!

SEND OFF IN STYLE

Just because you didn’t have the crazy party celebration, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t end this evening properly! I shot a handful of weddings where the event just sort of fizzled out at the end of the day because no one was really sure what was next. While current restrictions in WA aren’t allowing an open dance floor, you can still do your first dance + lead straight into a sparkler send off for that big grand finale feeling!

These time are different and hard and forcing us to make changes in the wedding and event industry. But it doesn’t mean you can’t still have a BEAUTIFUL, FUN, AMAZING wedding day. However that may look. If you are feeling the weight of this, and considering changing your event from a large wedding to a micro wedding- I encourage you to sit down together and talk about what is MOST important to the two of you. I am here as a resource for my couples to work through this with and always on your team. I want you guys to have the best and SAFEST wedding possible!