I think by now we are all well aware Covid isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. So how do we move forward with our celebrations with all this madness going on?
Intimate/Micro weddings and post ceremony celebrations are in! We have all had to adapt and change to work around this virus before and now is no exception.
First let’s talk about restrictions around weddings, let me start by saying no one has ever caught Covid from attending a wedding in Queensland. The wedding & funeral industry restrictions are always more limiting than most other activities including any other kind of celebration, gathering or sporting event. From all the research I have done this is because the government suspects people will be more likely to kiss and hug at weddings & funerals. All I can say is I don’t think it matters what kind of setting people are in they are going to hug and kiss regardless. Whether they are meeting in restaurants, bars, parties, music events or sporting events. It is basic human nature to do this when greeting or when saying farewell to someone, I see it countless times everyday.
Just last week we had to postpone a wedding because of heavy restrictions yet all of the guests were still able to go to the reception venue and eat, drink & socialise. I fail to see how this is any different from a wedding celebration but that is the reality of our situation. Weddings and funerals are being unfairly targeted and singled out.
So how do we get around this? I’ll tell you – Intimate/Micro weddings or post ceremony celebrations.
Intimate /Micro Weddings
Have a small, intimate or micro event with scaled back attendees. Celebrate with your close friends and/or loved ones in an intimate setting. Spend the money you were going to spend on all of your attendees meals and drinks on creating your ultimate destination wedding. Get that extravagant bouquet and floral styling you always wanted or the designer dress. Switch from a venue to a custom built Bamboo Pavilion or marquee on the beach under the stars. Get the entertainer you couldn’t afford previously when your wedding model was based on 80 guests. Do it all but do it small.
Post Ceremony Celebrations
Have an intimate ceremony with your closest family, friends and loved ones and film and/or livestream it! Post the ceremony have a celebration, not a wedding reception just a celebration. You can play back the ceremony on our big screen and go about your night with only the restrictions of a celebration instead of the much more stern restrictions of wedding. At most venues we will be able to fit in up to 100 guests based on Covid safe plans & the square meters of floor space available.
We know it doesn’t seem fair that weddings and funerals have such strict limitations yet sporting events can have overflowing stadiums. Daily we see bars & restaurants at almost maximum capacity with very relaxed customers enjoying the view, great food, beverages and the company of their friends. Despite the inconsistency of these rules and restrictions across a broad range of businesses, the show must go on and we’re here to help! We are all about supporting couples who want to declare their love for one another in front of their nearest and dearest. We are now experts at navigating restrictions, postponements and the hurdles that need to be jumped when planning a wedding in this current climate.
Covid has put us through enough, don’t let it put your celebration of love on hold too.
All imagery by Stradbroke Island Photography.