With the arrival of 2021, couples continue to face the harsh reality of having to plan their weddings during a pandemic. A reality even the most seasoned wedding pros couldn't have predicted just a year ago. Fret not, because, in this article, Best Venues New York will be tackling a key question; how to plan a micro wedding during covid.
What Is A Micro Wedding?
Getting married is a tremendous occasion. A powerful commitment to someone you love dearly. In short, a wedding is often the most magical, memorable celebration in someone's life.
Unfortunately, the pandemic has made it pretty much impossible to hold large traditional weddings. As a result, micro weddings have become a popular alternative.
So what exactly is a micro wedding? Does the word 'micro' imply something less memorable? Less special?
The answer: Not at all.
Micro weddings–sometimes referred to as intimate weddings–can be profoundly meaningful events. They even offer unique advantages when compared to traditional weddings.
A micro wedding has a more intimate, cozier atmosphere, and a smaller guest list (typically between 10-50 people). In addition, by creating a micro wedding, you can focus more on small details to make the wedding more personal, romantic and a “wow” factor that guests will be talking about for years to come.
So how do you organize your dream day during a pandemic? Here's how to plan a micro wedding during covid.
Manage Your Expectations
Because of the pandemic, many couples are having hybrid weddings (weddings that combine virtual and in-person elements), while others have postponed their event altogether.
So if you're set on organizing your big day in 2021, the first thing you need to do, is to be mindful of the safety regulations your wedding would need to adhere to.
Using New York as an example, here's a list of safety protocols you should keep in mind:
- New York wedding venues have a guest limit of 50 people so far.
- Guests who aren't from the same household must maintain at least 6 feet of distance from one another. Those who don't maintain that distance must have their masks on.
- Wedding venues are required to implement strict safety protocols during the event. For example, providing access to hand sanitizers, masks, and glass shield for food stations on the premises.
- In some cases, guests (and mainly wedding vendors) need to be tested 3 days before the wedding day, as well as complete a COVID-19 waiver.
Don't worry too much because the best wedding venues in NYC are well aware of these protocols and implement them carefully on your behalf.
All you need to do is manage your expectations, before moving on to the next step on how to plan a micro wedding during covid.
Pick Your Wedding Venue
This is where all the fun happens. This is where your family and friends gather to celebrate. Choosing the right venue is enormously important, however, it isn't always easy (Best Venues New York can help!). You don't want a venue that's too small to accommodate your guests, or too large that the event feels underwhelming.
To get you started with that thought process, here are some questions you should consider when deciding on the venue.
When you close your eyes and picture your wedding, what do you see?
- Do you prefer indoors, outdoors, or a venue with a view?
- What kind of atmosphere are you looking for? Intimate? Extravagant? Open? Cozy? Romantic?
- How many guests are attending? What do you think they'd enjoy the most?
- What is your budget?
Once you've answered these questions, you should have a clearer idea of what you want.
However, if you're finding it difficult to come to a conclusion, then you need a wedding planner. Get in touch with our certified wedding planners for a free consultation!
Our wedding planners are experts at finding the optimal venue by considering space, design, and layout. They're also able to propose the best wedding services and activities depending on your recommendations and the number of attendees.
Build Your Guest And Wish List
A micro wedding is a very intimate celebration because of the limited number of guests allowed. You get a real chance to spend quality time with everyone you love while creating unforgettable memories.
Therefore, the most important aspect of organizing a micro wedding is the guest list. You have about 50 spots to fill, so pick carefully and make it count!
You should start with your close family, followed by your dearest friends before you include distant cousins and co-workers. Once you're done writing your list, it's time to think about how to manage your wedding invitation letters.
Here are some pointers for your invitation letters:
- Include the names of the bride and groom.
- Include the full address, date, and time of the event.
- Include the full names and addresses of your guests.
- Group guests from the same household in the same letter.
- Send your invitations at least 4 months in advance.
- Create a video link for those that can’t attend.
- Write the letter with love and sincerity.
Since you're organizing an intimate wedding (50 people or fewer), it might be a good idea to handwrite your invitations. Handwritten letters come across as more intimate and fit perfectly well with a micro wedding theme. If you or someone close to you has nice handwriting, you're all set. Otherwise, hire a calligrapher for a more personal touch.
Plan Your Wedding Day
Every wedding has a personality. Indoor luxury weddings offer an entirely different ambiance than outdoor beach weddings. The 'best' option depends on what you prefer.
Micro weddings offer you great flexibility in managing your events because of their smaller guest lists. That means it'll be much easier for you to personalize your wedding the way you want.
So without further ado, let's explore some micro wedding ideas for your dream day.
Hire a Photographer/Videographer
Your wedding is a momentous occasion. You want every moment captured by professional photographers. Take your time when researching to find a portfolio you like before you hire someone. A photographer can take high-quality group photos you can later frame and having a video highlight of your special day just melts all hearts. You can even print some photos in a personalized mini-album and mail them out to each of your guests after the wedding to share a wonderful memory.
Hire a Live Band
Nothing yells 'celebration' like a live band! A DJ is fine if you just want to tune in to your all-time favorite hits, but there's something about a live band that simply lights the party up! A live performance is more interactive and gives your guests something to watch. What kind of music do you visualize for your wedding? Whatever it is, you can research and find a band that's more than happy to perform for your big day. Make sure the band is both behind a shield on stage and 6 feet apart from all guests.
Customized Gift Box
Since outside food and drink is not allowed into any venue we work with, we recommend sending out a personalized gift to those that were able to attend. The gift can either be something sweet or an item to remind them of attending your special day. Check out some of our recommendations below:
- Box of sweets or cupcakes
- A thoughtful card with pictures from the wedding
- A nice candle
- An at-home wine tasting or champagne tasting virtual activity, so the wedding couple can log in too and celebrate with them afterward with a fun at-home activity.
How to Plan a Micro Wedding During Covid: A Final Word
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As our founder and certified wedding planner, Anna Krauze said:
“It's not about the size of the wedding, it is all about what is important to YOU, it’s all about your journey and the experience”.
Bringing your micro wedding to fruition is a fun, but a demanding task. Ideally, you want to communicate your ideas to a professional who can listen to your ideas and use them to organize your dream wedding.
We're here to help you make your wedding day a reality. We'll identify the very best wedding packages that fulfill your vision.
Get in touch with us so we can bring your magical wedding dream to life!