How to Plan YOUR Wedding or Elopement During a Pandemic/COVID-19
Well y’all might have seen my helpful blog post on How To Start Planning Your Wedding In The Fraser Valley — ok ok cool, but then COVID hit us like a sack of potatoes! Yikes on bikes am I right, well not to worry because your love will concur this pandemic and you CAN still get hitched. Oh and I promise, it can still be a absolutely unreal and beautiful day!
After photographing some slightly different BUT completely amazing COVID weddings and elopements this year, I have updated my tips list to reflect on what you can do to continue planning & make smart/safe moves for your nuptials.
Lets dive in!
STEP ONE .5
get creative
cre·a·tive : relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.
https://genderrevealcannons.com/ + Katey Mac Photography
STEP ONE
Get your priorities in order, it sounds harsh but it needs to be done! You simply cannot start planning during a pandemic unless you have a game plan, and to do so you need to know what exactly it is you want.
Sit down with your partner and brain storm what you pictured your day like, now write down all those ideas and see what is still achievable! Currently in BC you are able to have groups of under 50 INCLUDING VENDORS (this means the total number of people is to be under 50) while still respecting social distancing guidelines. Each venue may have more specific rules, so please bare this in mind if you are choosing a venue that isn’t private to you.
Figuring out priorities may look like:
Creating a guest list that meets COVID guidelines criteria (Your working hard to plan, make sure to invite people who will 100% show!)
Picking if you want to elope or still have a wedding (Eloping is not what it use to be, you can have a totally rad and unique elopement!)
Finding a venue that meets your vision and you trust to work with during this uncertain time (a outdoor venue may be a good option)
Picking what vendors you must have, and vendors you suppose you could live without
Finding suitable attire that fits your theme & venue
Figuring out exactly what you are comfortable with!
This can seem like a lot to go over, during a time like this I would really encourage couples to consider hiring a Wedding Planner to make this process smoother and have someone in your corner who knows and understands weddings.
STEP TWO
Budget. You need to come up with a budget that works for you. Remember this is still your day though, and it still matters! See here for couples Top 10 Wedding Regrets!
Budgets play a huge roll when planning an event, but even more so during a pandemic when everything is super weird! If you know you have family members who want to help pay — find out what their budget(s) are.
So you know your priories, you know maybe a rough budget, lets visit from things to budget for so you can nail a budget down. Below is a list of things you may want to budget for! Pick thru and find what works for YOU.
Venue(s)
Photographer
Videographer/Cinematography
Wedding Planner
Food
Drinks
Attire
Attire PLUS
Rings
Beauty/Hair
Transportation
Wedding Cake/Dessert
Officiant or Commissioner
Entertainment
Hotel(s) or Airbnb
Thank You Favors
Honeymoon Plans
Thank You Cards
Florist
Linens
Décor
Scroll to bottom for pandemic considerations…
I suggest having columns in your budget for your budget, the estimated cost, and the actual cost! If you need a budget spread sheet, try this one I made. Staying organized is key to staying on budget – whether the budget is big or small!
Once a budget is established you can get to work on finding the appropriate vendors and more. Finding your people aka your venues/vendors can be a little much, and hurt your brain. Google is of course an amazing way to search for local vendors, and so is asking family/friends (word of mouth/good experiences is a great place to start), but also consider join one or a few Facebook wedding groups.
Here’s a few very useful groups catered to The Fraser Valley:
Wedding Buy & Sell: Lower Mainland, Canada
Greater Vancouver Wedding Swap and Shop
Wedding Buy/Sell/Swap-Greater Vancouver, BC area
In the Facebook groups you can ask for opinions, reviews, recommendations, and even find second hand décor!
Please be mindful when buying second hand during this time.
Curious about every little detail? I created a PDF from my past experience and my photographer experience on what to do, and when to do it – for allllll the things! Click here!
STEP THREE
Picking a date. Picking a date can seem like a horribly daunting task during a pandemic, as things are ever changing BUT if your planning, it needs to be done! Sit down with your partner and talk about what dates matter to you, does it need to be a special date? Or perhaps you can plan quickly to avoid the comings of more changes. If your planning a small elopement this may be easier, but a wedding with 50 or less guests can be difficult! Speak with your wedding planner (if you have one) and vendors!
Elopements can be planned within two weeks for those who just want to get hitched, and I know of people who have planned beautiful weddings within a month! If you put your mind to it, you can do it!
The only dilemma with a short timeline for planning is you might run into problems with booking venues and vendors that you really WANT to work with. I would strong recommend getting a wedding planners help if you are on a tight timeline. Consider reaching out and asking for availability of venues and vendors that really fit with your vibes!
STEP FOUR
LOCATION. Location. Location. Above I noted that picking a outdoor venue may be preferable, this is because some indoor venues have made their own rules and restrictions separate from what BC Health has suggested. Outdoor venues are also favorable due to constant airflow.
Pick your over all style.
Whether you are how to start planning your wedding in The Fraser Valley with a small guest list, or a secret backwoods elopement one thing you need to know what it is you want. Sunflowers or Roses, or both?! Vintage & Cream allegiance, or Rustic & Red. From big barns, little chapels, glass windows over looking the mountains – pick a vibe that is unique to you.
Who are you as a couple?
What do you enjoy doing on your spare time?
How did you meet? Where did you meet?
Favorite colours? Favorite flowers?
What will your venue say about you guys as a couple, and your personalities?
No matter what speak in depthly with your venue about how things look during a pandemic. You can still choose your dream location or a really wild and unique one, even with this all going on!
Choosing to elope and not going with a venue? Make sure to look into permits for some cities and parks!
If your deciding on a home shin-dig in the back yard, be sure there is enough space to allow social distancing.
PICKING A VENUE?!
LOWER MAINLAND WEDDING VENUES
Picking a venue can be hard work! I have created a blog of some of the best wedding venues in the Fraser Valley! Check it out by clicking the button below!
THE BETS OF THE BEST WEDDING VENUES
For all inclusive elopements in Whistler, Kelowna, Langley, Vancouver, Chilliwack + beyond please check out this page here.
Squamish has all the PNW feels.
NOW… When to start booking!
When should you start reserving and booking? ASAP my friend, and when I say that I really mean like yesterday. YES, especially with a pandemic. Photographers and other vendors are getting taken up like hot cakes! People are trying to reserve vendors for three years out due to all the rebooking!
Once you know what type of nuptials you want to have, now is the time to find those vendors, reach out and book them up!! Planning your wedding in The Fraser Valley means you’ve got a lot of competition when you have specific vendors in mind – but luckily The Fraser Valley is overflowing with amazing artists to choose from!
Photographers, Videographers, florists, and venues book up sometimes years in advance. If you’ve been eyeing someone from before you were engaged, or you have someone you already love to work with – inquire with them!
Expect to pay a deposit for each vendor, which can run up to about 50% of the total package cost per vendor.
Curious about booking with me as your photographer?! I’d be so pumped to hear from you!
Click here to inquire.
PANDEMIC CONSIDERATIONS…
In order, things to consider within each category..
Venue(s)
Deposits – What happens if we are put into lock down? Is it fully or a portion of it transferable? What is their COVID-19 plan in order to stay open? If new policies come into place that are made by the venue, can you choose to walk away with your deposit?
General – What procedures to they have in place to keep the facilities clean? What is their venues gust limit if different than BCs 50.Photographer
Deposits – What happens if you HAVE to change dates? Is it fully or a portion of it transferable? How are they working during COVID-19?Videographer/Cinematography
Deposits – What happens if you HAVE to change dates? Is it fully or a portion of it transferable? How are they working during COVID-19?Wedding Planner
Deposits – What happens if you HAVE to change dates? Is it fully or a portion of it transferable? How are they working during COVID-19?
General – How are they conducting business during this pandemic? What all can they do to make planning during a pandemic easier?Food
General – Is it COVID-19 friendly? Will guests be able to maintain 6ft social distancing protocols. Will guests all have their own individual dishes of food.Drinks
General – Is it COVID-19 friendly? Will guests be able to maintain 6ft social distancing protocols. Does your venue allow it? What is BC current protocol for alcohol during this pandemic?Attire
Make sure to choose something that is easy to change in and out of if you do not have a member of your safe 6 there to help you out.Attire PLUS
This is shoes, etc..Rings
Beauty/Hair
Deposits – What happens if we are put into lock down? Is it fully or a portion of it transferable? What is their COVID-19 plan in order to stay open?
General – What procedures to they have in place to keep their employees and customers safe?Transportation
Deposits – What happens if we are put into lock down? Is it fully or a portion of it transferable?
General – What procedures to they have in place to keep the vehicles safe and clean?Wedding Cake/Dessert
General – Is it COVID-19 friendly? Will guests be able to maintain 6ft social distancing protocols. Will guests all have their own individual dishes of food.Officiant or Commissioner
General – What procedures to they have in place to keep themselves and clients safe?Entertainment
General – What entertainment options do we have right now?Hotel(s) or Airbnb
Deposits – What happens if we are put into lock down? Is it fully or a portion of it transferable? What is their COVID-19 plan in order to stay open? If new policies come into place that are made by the venue, can you choose to walk away with your deposit?
General – What procedures to they have in place to keep the facilities clean?Thank You Favors
General – Should you be giving physical versions right now? Perhaps a donation in leu of gifts.Honeymoon Plans
Think local!Thank You Cards
General – Should you be sending physical versions right now?Florist
Deposits – Is it fully or a portion of it transferable?Linens
General – Cleaning?Decor
General – Try second hand contactless pick up to avoid stores, or contactless pick up in store.
P.S.
Say fuck it to the rules (like the wedding rules, not the health rules LOL or the law, psa) and get married how and when you want. I promise your family will still love you and get over it! Get hitched, and say yes to LOVE.
