The pandemic has forced many couples to change their wedding plans, but it doesn’t have to stop you from getting married altogether. There are plenty of ways to tie the knot during a lockdown, whether you’re planning a small, intimate ceremony or a virtual event that everyone can attend from home.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re planning on getting married during a lockdown:
Check The Regulations In Your Area
Before anything else, you need to make sure that you’re aware of the regulations in your area regarding weddings during the pandemic. These regulations will vary from place to place, so it’s important that you do your research before making any concrete plans.
In some areas, weddings are allowed to go ahead with a limited number of guests, while in others they may be banned altogether. Make sure you know what the rules are in your area so that you can plan accordingly.
Some regulations might include:
- A limit on the number of guests that can attend
- Wearing masks and/or maintaining social distancing
- Having the ceremony outdoors
- Restrictions on alcohol sales
- Curfew
- Inter-provincial travel
- And more
Choose A Safe Venue
If you’re planning on having a physical ceremony, it’s important to choose a safe venue that will allow you to social distance yourself effectively. Outdoor venues are often the best option as they offer more space for guests to spread out.
Limit The Number Of Guests
While it may be tempting to invite everyone you know to your wedding, it’s important to limit the number of guests if you’re getting married during the pandemic. The fewer people there are at the event, the lower the risk of transmission.
If you’re having a virtual ceremony, you can invite as many people as you want without having to worry about social distancing.
Be Flexible With Your Plans
With the pandemic not quite over, it’s important to be flexible with your wedding plans. Things may change at the last minute and you may have to make some adjustments to accommodate for the current situation.
For example, you may need to move your ceremony indoors if the weather is bad or change your guest list if the number of attendees is limited in your area.
Have A Backup Plan
It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case things change at the last minute. If the regulations in your area change or there’s a spike in cases, you may need to switch to a virtual ceremony or postpone your plans altogether.
No matter what you decide, remember that getting married is still an incredibly special moment – even during a pandemic!
Keep Your Guests Safe
When inviting guests to your wedding, make sure that you only invite those who are willing and able to adhere to the safety guidelines in your area. If someone is sick or at high risk, it’s best to err on the side of caution and leave them off the guest list.
Remind your guests of the importance of social distancing and hand-washing, and provide them with any other information they may need to stay safe at your event.
Consider A Virtual Ceremony
If you’re not comfortable with the idea of having a physical ceremony, you can always opt for a virtual one instead. This is a great way to still get married while keeping everyone safe.
There are plenty of platforms that you can use to Livestream your ceremony, so take some time to explore your options and find one that will work best for you.
Use platforms like:
- Zoom
- Skype
- Google Hangouts
- Facetime
Get creative with your virtual wedding ceremony and make it something that you’ll remember for years to come.
Planning a virtual wedding can be just as fun and special as planning a physical one – maybe even more so!
Planning A Small, Intimate Ceremony
If you’re planning on having a small, intimate ceremony during the pandemic, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First of all, you’ll need to make sure that you’re only inviting the absolutely essential people to your wedding. This includes immediate family members and close friends only.
It’s also important to remember that you’ll need to take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
Go with the trends
The Pandemic has changed a lot of people’s views on the perfect wedding ceremony. Some couples have brought a few interesting and unique ways to get married in South Africa during a lockdown.
It is now the new trend to have a “minimony”. This involves having only your closest family and friends around you as you get married. You can also opt for an elopement which is where you go away and get married in a beautiful and intimate setting, with only your partner.
This is the perfect way to still have an amazing wedding ceremony without all of the stress that comes with planning an event during covid-19.
A few ideas to think about include:
- Getting married in your backyard or at a family member’s house
- Having a small ceremony at an isolated local park or beach
- Renting out an Airbnb for the weekend and getting married there
- Going on a mini-honeymoon instead of a traditional wedding ceremony
No matter what you decide, remember to be safe and have fun!
Keep an eye on the updates
The Covid-19 pandemic is an ever-changing situation, which means that the guidelines and regulations surrounding weddings are also constantly changing.
It’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest news and information so that you can make the best decisions for your wedding.
Check out reliable sources online or your local government’s website for the most up-to-date information.
Stay in touch with your marriage officer
During these unprecedented times, it’s important to stay in touch with your local marriage officer. They will be able to give you the most up-to-date information on the regulations in your area and help you plan for your big day.
We know that planning a wedding during a pandemic can be tough, but we hope that these tips will help you make the best of it! Remember, your wedding day is still going to be special – no matter what!
Do you have any other tips for getting married during a lockdown? Did you get married during the lockdown and want to share your success story? Share them with us in the comments!
