COVID Wedding Planning Made Easy
By: Ayanna Dodd
Tags: Covid 19, Streaming, Budget, Love, Wedding Planning

When I got engaged literally two weeks before our nation’s lockdown, I had no idea that wedding planning with an additional punch would be so strenuous. With a little planning and tips, we had the best day of our lives (and it was within our budget)!

Mind Saying No?

Essentially, once COVID-19 turned into a worldwide pandemic, my husband and I knew that our idea of our dream wedding would need to change. We needed to get creative and merge our needs with the reality of the world. Our main needs:

Have the day still be special Have a great, small, reception Great photos to look back on

We had to be firm on our wants, and also accept that we wouldn’t get everything that we would get in a pre-pandemic wedding. We also had to be okay with saying “maybe later” to guests that didn’t fit our closest friends and family. It was for the safety of all guests, so it made it easier to do.

Gimme a Date

The first requirement we had to complete was picking the perfect date. At first we flirted with the idea of a late summer wedding, thinking that the infection numbers would decrease. We were wrong. We knew that we didn’t want to postpone for two years, so we decided on a virtual micro wedding with the option of a large scale event later. After we had a plan in place, we could communicate with family and friends. We set on a Fall wedding close to my husbands hometown, with immediate family present only. To make it special, we still decided to mail out full invitations to make sure each participant logging in knew that they were not only valued, but invited to be involved.

Coordinate

One of the biggest things (outside of hair and makeup) that I cared about was my reception. I wanted the absolute best since I had to have something small. My mother-in-law set us up with an event planner to complete our reception. I had calls with her nearly weekly, and shared screenshots, texts and other information with her to ensure she understood my style. Since I couldn’t come vet and shop in person with her due to travel and work, I had to over-communicate with Pinterest Boards and it worked out to our favor! I also utilized my MIL to make sure to contact people on my behalf if needed.

I would heavily suggest a wedding coordinator that can work with you every step of the way. Even though it’s small scale, you will still need someone who is well versed in this area. It comes in handy to help you feel less stressed and to plan out the intricate details of your big day. From the rehearsal dinner to managing the vendors, you’ll need someone who has that role so you can relax. Because it is a smaller scale event, work to create a customized package that fits your budget. It never hurts to ask to downgrade from a traditional wedding package to an elopement one when you only have 10 guests versus 300.

To Stream or Not to Stream?

Our next step was determining the method that we would use to stream our video. The initial thought was to hire a team. However, we knew that the future was up in the air, so sending out a full blown staff for the event just didn’t feel right. Websites such as LoveStream allows you to tailor a package at the right price, use the technology you have (cue the iPhones, people!), or rent tools such as mics and tripods. Thankfully, I am well equipped with in-laws that have switchers and cameras that could do the job easily. We settled on an unlisted video, and went to work!

Planning your wedding is about you and your partner. It’s okay to have boundaries in place to ensure that your day is everything you dreamed of!

Here’s what we looked into when considering our virtual wedding:

Zoom

Can be distributed to everyone

Technology knowledge amongst older loved ones may be limited, meaning they may miss out

Opportunity of someone hacking your stream

Potential for muting and other issues can occur

Youtube

Can do unlisted videos

Potential to have copyright issues with your video after the fact

Considering I am a pretty private person, I wanted to make sure that those who received invitations wouldn’t look on Facebook and see the link to our wedding day online. It just didn’t feel right to me. I wanted this to feel just as exclusive as an in-person wedding. We ended up nixing Zoom as an option and my FIL went to work to utilize Youtube. We went to work getting engagement photos and creating a wedding website to allow invitation holders to see pictures and check out the registry and our personal story. I would suggest Minted Weddings and paying for the upgraded custom domain. Trust me, it’s much easier and feels much more personal.

A personal touch we decided on was a slide show and video in the beginning of the stream to welcome in viewers to the stream. There were never before seen photos and videos there, so those family members who hadn’t met my spouse (and vice versa) could get to know us and our love story. It was a gift from my father-in-law and I loved it. If you have the ability to do this, I highly recommend it!

Our goody-bag table set-up

Vendor Splendor

One tip that I would encourage is to ensure that you vet and have conversations with each vendor that you will be working with. For our photos, for example, we interviewed two potential photographers. The first guy we met we really hit it off with, and we even played the same video games. The vibe was just right, which is important because you’ll be having this person with you during the most important day of your life. You want to feel comfortable with your photographer, so ask them questions and take a great look at their reviews and work. The second person we interviewed we simply did not mesh well together, so we declined. It’s okay to say no (with a smile, if you so choose). We were able to strike a custom package deal by labeling our micro-wedding as an elopement, and had great savings. Communicate honestly about your wants, and see if you are able to create something that works for you.

Have Your Cake and Eat It Too?

One challenge that I did not expect was vendors that did not communicate well. I thought that most professionals in this industry worked well with potential clients and would communicate as such. I was wrong. I called around to several bakeries in my wedding location, and was shocked when I didn’t get the best responses.

Our very delicious wedding cake

We scheduled a call with one bakery, and thought we were all set until we didn’t hear back from them for weeks! This cost us a lot of stress, and worrying whether or not we would have it in our budget to get what we wanted. Though we were having a small wedding, I knew that I still wanted a gorgeous cake that not only looked great, but tasted amazing as well. This was a non-negotiable, and I was going to fight for what I wanted! After multiple emails and calls, what’s a woman to do? I utilized Instagram, of course! This brings me to my next topic.

Leverage the Network

Using hashtags and Instagram pages of local makeup artists and hairstylists, I was able to find my baker who would complete our wedding cake. In fact, my makeup artist used my baker for her children’s first birthday. Though a little more expensive, I knew that she was well recommended, had a great portfolio, and serviced clients in the area. I also found hairstylist and makeup artist on Instagram! I set up emails and communication with both to vet who would be the best fit. For my makeup artist, I made sure to secure my date and see what her portfolio looked like. When looking for a makeup artist during these times when it’s difficult to travel for a wedding trial, I consider this:

Check for multiple clients of different skin tones

This is important because being a Black woman, I needed to make sure that my pictures were perfect. Her having experience with all shades and tones was just what I needed to feel confident in hiring her

Note the type of makeup jobs that they complete

From weddings, to pageants, to everyday, you want to know that they are adaptive, and don’t just complete a cut-crease and call it a day.

Availability and travel

Can they get to you in time? How much do they charge to travel? Will they be able to set up and what tools do they need on site?

For my hairstylist, she also had a great portfolio with textures that were similar to mine. Seeing that she specialized in bridal hair was perfect, and I was able to consult with her virtually about two months before the wedding. She was super professional and worked with me for the weeks leading up to the event. For a stressed bride, this is everything! Once I arrived at the wedding location, I’d already had my appointment laid out for a great wash and deep condition, so my hair would be perfectly prepped for the big day.

Enjoy Yourself!

Last but not least, take time out to breathe and have a good time! Things may not be exactly perfect, but it’s still your wedding day! We were surprised with a surprise drive-through reception, which was truly icing on the cake. Implementing unique traditions into your special day is something to take advantage of, whether it’s a virtual reception, or having people record well-wishes to show to you both. Once I took a breath, and my mom began to button me up in my dress, all I thought of was my groom waiting for me down the aisle. Not the fact that I might not get the perfect “button up” photo, or whether or not the cutlery is the perfect shade of gold. Be thankful and spend this time with your future spouse and family. You got this!