The COVID-19 crisis has now been wreaking havoc for nearly nine months, turning wedding plans in Philadelphia upside down and forcing the happy couples to either reschedule their big day or celebrate and downsize it significantly, or BOTH.
How do you plan a wedding during a pandemic? The majority of couples who originally had their wedding scheduled during this time have decided to reschedule their big celebration for a date in the future when the COVID-19 restrictions are a thing of the past. For those couples who are set on keeping their original date, just want a downsized party, or want to schedule something sooner rather than later, there are a few things that you can do. First, you start by finding a wedding venue or location that is safe. The next step is securing a great wedding caterer who will serve at micro-weddings, gathering a small group of your closest friends and family, and finding one of the best Philadelphia wedding bands that have experience with seamless social distancing.
It’s time for you to put on your thinking cap and start to be creative. Think outside the box and use your imagination. There has never been a better time to go outside the lines of the common wedding ceremony. Make it fun, and make it yours. Here are six creative ways to plan a wedding during COVID-19.
1. Book a Great Wedding Band or Wedding DJ
Just because you can’t pack the dance floor doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy live music and dance together at a socially acceptable distance. There are lots of great music options in the Philadelphia area when searching for Philadelphia wedding bands or a live band near me that will ensure your wedding is fun and entertaining.
The key is finding experienced wedding musicians or wedding DJs in Philadelphia who can follow socially distancing restrictions while making you and your guests feel like you are the center of attention. The best bands and wedding DJs in Philadelphia are artists when it comes to creating a party atmosphere that doesn’t feel distanced or awkward.
Some of these wedding DJs and wedding musicians also have DJ Fusion options which are a mixture of DJ and live wedding musicians as a way to limit band size while still getting that “live” music experience that is so amazing.
2. Plan a Beautiful Back Yard Wedding
Due to restrictions on wedding venues, the ones who are not still shut down are booking out pretty far. Even if they weren’t, the rules can make having an indoor wedding kind of boring. A simple solution for some unique wedding ideas is throwing it in your back yard, park or other type of outside space.
Social distancing rules will still apply, but at least you will be comfortable and have more space. Enjoy a BBQ, dress a little more casual, and throw in some live music from one of our great Philadelphia bands. This will certainly make for a beautiful wedding.
Be sure to contact wedding bands in the area that are now booking for micro weddings, offering music to smaller weddings while giving them the flare they deserve.
Add some great decor to match your personality, such as old rustic barn decor, or fireworks after your vows. You can fill the yard with candles for a relaxed wedding party or hire a hip-hop DJ to take it to the next level. Your backyard is personal and private, allowing you to more easily enjoy every moment and not feel pressured to end your party at any specific time.
3. Change Up The Menu
All wedding and special event caterers have made big adjustments and even created new and special menus specifically for micro weddings. In addition, Restaurants have taken a huge hit from COVID-19. Did you know that restaurants are now preparing their menus for micro weddings, making their packages adhere to a smaller guest attendance. Hiring your favorite restaurant (that may not typically cater a wedding) to cater your wedding is a great way to make it unique, while supporting local restaurants. Keep your line of communication open with your venue and make sure they are prepared for the event with safety in mind.
And don’t feel locked into the standard wedding steak and fish fare. Many places are now offering a wide range of catering options and sizes, meant to be flexible for the unique times we are living in. Less formal options like BBQ or brick oven pizza are on the rise.
Same approach can be applied to dessert and wedding favors. Think about hiring a local restaurant or food truck as a way to cap the evening off with a unique, local surprise.
4. Find A Fun Theme and Provide the Masks
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Another unique wedding idea is theming your wedding around your masks. Pick your favorite color or your favorite sports team then coordinate your theme around it. Purchase masks with funny faces and take some amazing pictures.
Use the masks to play games like “Hedbandz.” This is a great way to keep social distancing while making your wedding fun for all. As a fun game, consider handing out specific masks, hats, etc., to your guests and requiring them to put them on when your wedding DJ or wedding musicians play a specific song or wedding playlist.
Or maybe consider handing out lighted LED masks for an extra fun light show as you dance the night away during your wedding reception.
Local printers can often customize your masks just the way you want them.
5. Consider Fun Gifts and Accessories Geared Towards COVID-19
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Use hand sanitizer as fun favor ideas. Or consider giving out monogrammed masks. Use COVID-19 precautions to have some fun with your favors and decorations. Have you seen the bride and groom’s face coverings? How about the personalized no-touch button-pusher favors? They even make wedding inspired floor stickers for social distancing reminders.
6. Think About Outside-the-Box Wedding Locations
Have you ever considered having a drive-in wedding? Display you and your spouse on the big screen for all of your guests to see from a distance. You can also live-stream it for those who couldn’t make it. Then offer food trucks, a micro-wedding band, and a late-night movie under the stars.
Maybe technology is more your flavor. Create the a romantic online atmosphere and send out a zoom (wedding) meeting invites. You can get married with a few friends and family and stream it on zoom for the rest of your friends and family to watch in real time. This is a great way to have a special day without risking anyone’s health. And if you want something very cool, higher a specialty musician to play a private live streamed concert for you and your guests on the zoom meeting!
What about creating the tailgate party of the century? Keeping your guest separated by trucks and portable grills, you can celebrate this special day together outside, without being crowded in one room?
Conclusion
Although the future looks bright with the recent approval of several vaccines, COVID-19 is not leaving Philadelphia (or the world) until the spring. If you still want to have your wedding before all of the restrictions are lifted, there are many ways to do that. With a little creativity in finding a great space, great food, friends, family and a rockin’ Philadelphia wedding band, you’re bound to throw a truly unique wedding that will be unforgettable.
Don’t forget to consider BVTLive! when searching for a wedding DJ or “live band near me.”
Blog Contributed by: Kurt Titchenell
Kurt Titchenell
Guided by his experience as the bandleader of Philadelphia’s top band, Jellyroll, and President of BVTLive!, Kurt Titchenell has kept dance floors packed and created unforgettable memories for thousands of events nationwide! Widely acclaimed as an entertainment expert, Kurt and BVTLive! have earned the most prestigious accolades in the industry. Most notably were two Jellyroll performances at The White House. Kurt's dedication to the success of every event is evident through his passion for creating the ultimate party experience. As President of BVTLive!, Kurt is committed to making your event a success.