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How to plan a safe yet stunning wedding during COVID-19
Wedding Planning - Nov 3, 2020
Get your planning cues from these practices and precautions implemented by top Wedding Planners.
The wedding industry has seen dramatic changes in trends over the last few months.The Big Fat Indian wedding, which historically consists of colossal revelries and long guest-lists have taken a back seat. Meanwhile, intimate celebrations, which used to be just a trend, have now become the new normal.
The pendulum always swings back, and grand weddings that Indians so love are undoubtedly going to return someday. However, no matter the size of the wedding, a safe and healthy way to celebrate is going to be a priority for the near future. To help you plan an unforgettable day, here are the precautions and practices that top wedding planners in the country have adopted.
Safety at every step
Social distancing and sanitizing would not suffice if it’s only during the wedding celebrations. A lot of planning and execution goes into creating a wedding, and these measures need to be followed at every step along the way. The team of The A-Cube Project shares, “We were given the venue 3 days prior, so as to ensure less than 50 people were working at any time, we made a systematic timetable with slots. Every worker wore a blue PPE gown, face shield, mask, gloves and shoe covers. They followed mandatory hand sanitization every 1 hour, maintaining social distancing in the back end areas of the venue as well. Post setup, we handed over the hall about 6 hours prior to the event to allow a thorough sanitization before the guests’ arrival, after which, no outside contamination was allowed till the event began.”
For celebrity Kajal Aggarwal‘s recent Mumbai wedding, the team went above and beyond to ensure the couple and their guests could enjoy it to the fullest. A total of 64 people who attended, including the vendors, were swab-tested for COVID two days before the wedding, with a lab they had collaborated with. This not only allowed everyone to enjoy without any risk of infection, it also allowed them to relax without the need for masks inside the venue.
The show must go on
Restrictions, challenges and precautions can seem daunting in the planning process. However, your wedding is the most special day in your life, and having to take a few extra steps to ensure a happy and healthy celebration for yourself and your family is a small price to pay. Minttu Sarna shares, “When Telugu star Nithiin Reddy’s wedding in Dubai ran into a roadblock due to the pandemic, we got to work and did whatever was needed to ensure their wedding was every bit as grand as they had wanted. Shifting everything to the beautiful Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, we executed everything as planned, with the exception of a smaller guest list. All necessary hygiene precautions were taken, from regular staff checks to asking for a health declaration from every arriving guest. Once the measures were put in action, implementing them was fairly smooth”.
Embrace natural decor
Infinitely more environment-friendly, opting for open spaces with natural green backdrop and cut flowers and foliage is an easy and fresh way to dress up your décor. For this couple’s intimate home engagement, the team of Vivahhika made the most of the lovely garden space with indigenous flowers sourced from nearby, using the most gorgeous blooms that transformed the venue into a scene out of a fairytale.
Take it outside
One of the easiest ways an event can implement social distancing is to host it in the open air at an outside venue. The team of Vivaah Wedding shares, “A destination wedding in Thailand we were planning had to be relocated within the country in the initial days of the lockdown. Stress was running high, so we opted for a charming farmhouse in Delhi which not only made for a beautiful backdrop, but also created a free-flowing, relaxed ambiance that allowed everyone to enjoy the celebrations even more.”
Limit the outsourcing
One of the first rules of safety from the pandemic is to minimize human contact. Opt for a wedding planner who provides end-to-end services and preferably does not need to outsource jobs to vendors. It reduces the logistics and ensures better control over health measures. Poonam Mayank Sharma shares, “Our entire team strictly follows safety measures like wearing gloves, caps, masks and regular temperature checks. Having our own production house was beneficial, as we could limit the entry of people and other things to minimize the risk factor. We use our own raw materials and product so there is no outside contamination.”
Comply with mandated number of people
Weddings have always been a big part of Indian culture, and clearly a great chance to connect with all your relatives and friends to celebrate your happy moments. However, the health of our loved ones is always paramount, and needs to be top priority. Make sure you comply with government guidelines in the region regarding the number of people at your festivities. You can always have a bigger celebration when the situation permits. The team of ‘I do by Impressario’ shares, “For the home wedding in Singapore, we followed rules strictly to ensure social distancing. Only 5 guests were invited apart from the household residents for the smaller events, while 10 guests were included for the wedding. To celebrate with more of their friends, a formal celebration including 50 guests was hosted later at a restaurant”.
Nothing says personal like ‘DIY’
One of the best aspects of having an intimate wedding is the freedom of creative expression in terms of the flow of festivities, décor, gifts and more. With lesser people and no large scale preparations or performances needed, you can give your own personal touch to every event as well as truly enjoy every moment with your guests. The team of DreamzKrraft shares, “For the Haldi function, we set up a giveaway station of organic Haldi and honey to be consumed as an immunity booster. A DIY face mask counter at the Basan function was a thoughtful touch as going to salons was not possible at the time. To make the Mehndi really fun, instead of following the norm of mehendi artists, all the guests were handed design catalogs and invited to do it for each other. Even Raunak, the groom, tried his hands at applying Mehendi for the bride. Video messages from friends and family who could not attend were played at the function.
Set up hygiene stations
The team of FB celebrations shares, “The recent engagement of celebrated filmmaker JP Dutta’s daughter saw an influx of high-profile guests and celebrities, Ensuring a safe, yet smooth evening was of utmost importance. We set up numerous stations to distribute sanitizers and masks to the guests through the function to ensure that physical distance is maintained but that social distance doesn’t get in the way.
Say no to ‘self-serve’
A lot of human contact can be minimized by organizing sit down dining, so gloved servers can serve plates directly at the table. In case of buffet, individual servers can be stationed so guests do not need to touch multiple surfaces. The team of ATP Events shares, “The food was ordered from trusted vendors who prepared everything at home with a lot of care. It was all picked up personally by us in a sanitized vehicle and transported it to the venue. Staffed food stations and disposable cutlery ensured further safety.”
Virtual reality is the new reality
Virtual reality is playing a major part in weddings today, and is a key way to engage friends and family members who aren’t able to attend physically. To truly feel present in the celebrations, ask your loved ones to dress up and log in and really be a part of your day. Technology can be tactfully used to create a great virtual experience. The team of VV Weddings shares, “Multiple cameras can be set up to get a 360-degree view of the ceremonies, so virtual guests feel like they are in the midst of the celebrations. Family members can also send in videos of dances to be played at the Sangeet, and enjoy the live performances on the day for a wholesome experience.
