Pandemic wedding planning is not for the faint of heart but, life goes on, as they say, and so for many, so must the wedding! With good planning, some flexibility, and a little bit of ingenuity, you can still have the wedding of your dreams.
Wedding Planning Tips
1. SET A BUDGET
Having a budget should always be your first priority. Once you have that in mind, you can decide how to get the most value for your dollars. Think about what is most important to you and your partner. Celebrating with loved ones and friends over good food and having fun makes a great lasting memory for years to come.
2. START VIRTUALLY
- Tour prospective venues virtually. Websites can offer many pictures and reviews to give you additional information.
- Set up zoom interviews with potential vendors. It is helpful to have an idea of what you are looking for in their services beforehand, so you can ask questions pertinent to specific needs.
- Create your own personalized wedding website and share it with friends and family. Update it as you go along so the excitement for the big day builds.
3. PLAN THE DAY
- Some of your guests may want to attend but feel more comfortable with wishes from afar. Live streaming the events can allow everyone to celebrate with you on your special day, no matter where they are. Send invitations and then plan a special toast, asking your virtual viewers to raise a glass along with the in-person guests at a specific time.
- Outdoor ceremonies are spectacular on our Great Lawn, with ample space to keep all the attendees safely distanced without impacting their view of the wedding party. If an indoors ceremony suits you best, our spacious Latham Ballroom offers an elegant feel with high ceilings and sparkling chandeliers. Following the ceremony, the Ballroom is also perfect for the rest of the evening’s activities, with a large floorplan to help offer wide spacing between tables for comfort and safety
- With social distancing first and foremost on many minds, think about having a strolling reception with passed hors d’oeuvres by butlered servers (in gloves and masks of course), and a served plated dinner at tables with assigned seating, set to the current spacing guidelines.
- Preston’s Restaurant, located in the hotel, can be the perfect site for a small rehearsal dinner, or breakfast the morning after the wedding. These events can be fun and casual, just the right touch during a busy weekend.
RELATED: Virginia Tech Vows – Planning a Wedding Hokie- Style
4. MAKE YOUR ALTERNATE PLAN
Part of what makes a wedding go according to plan, especially during a pandemic, is to have a plan B ready to be executed with little effort. Be flexible, be creative, and think outside the box, but above all remember the reason you are celebrating. Taking a few extra steps to be safe now will help your future days be brighter.
A few examples of the backup plans you should have in place include backup wedding party participants and vendors in case of illness, a locally sourced wedding gown either as your primary gown or as a backup in the case of a shipping snafu, and awareness of the virtual event for planned virtual guests and last-minute offsite guests.
Knowing you have contingency plans in place will give you peace of mind as the day draws closer.
5. DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
Remember that even the best-laid plans can be affected by things out of your control. Focus on the joy and happiness, rather than whether the flower girl melts down walking down the aisle. A year from now, you can laugh about the challenges, and celebrate the fact that you have achieved something special – a year of marriage and a successful wedding in spite of the pandemic. You won’t be the only one, but you can share your stories as inspiration for others who follow.
At The Inn at Virginia Tech, our wedding planners have learned how to work through the unexpected so you can expect your day to be perfect. Learn more.
