No Phones? No Problem! Lets face it, Social Media and Digital Technology is everywhere today. Your guests will want to do their part to capture your big wedding moments but they may be in the way.
Unplugged weddings are becoming ever so popular. Saying no to digital technology during your Ceremony is a great idea and I’ll explain why.
What is an Unplugged Wedding Ceremony?
An “Unplugged Wedding Ceremony” is a ceremony without digital distractions. Asking guests to limit their use of phones, cameras and iPad’s will help keep everyone engaged. The photographer will be able to capture better photographs without having devices in the middle of a good shot.
We have all seen the photographs from a wedding with a perfect shot ruined by a hand holding a cell phone in the middle. I don’t think it is a good idea to ban phones from your wedding but having a technology blackout time during your ceremony will make it way more enjoyable.
If you still want guests to capture and share photos outside of the ceremony make sure you find an unused hashtag for use of posting on social media. This way you can find your shared wedding photos with a simple hashtag search. Here
How do I ask my guests not to use their phones during our ceremony?
Telling your guests about your digital etiquette can be done several ways. After all this is just a request and you will have some that have to use their phone for personal reasons. But doing this will cut down on the famous cellphone blocking the photographer shot.
One of the most popular ways to tell your guests is to place the message on a sign. Put this sign in an area where you know guests will walk by and see it. For example when the guests first walk into the venue or near the gift drop off. Here is an example of signage from Amazon. Checkout the price on Amazon by clicking here. You can also click directly on the photo.
How easy would it be to tell your guests in the invite. I would not place the message directly on the invitation but I would insert a note with the card. I would simply say, “We kindly ask that all devices be silences and no photographs be taken during the ceremony.”
Advise by Announcement. This is the a great way to let your guests know just before the ceremony. Have the best man, or Officiant or the DJ ask the guests via announcement. Sometimes being asked to withhold using your cellphone for photos will best work coming from an authority figure involved in the wedding ceremony.
An example verbiage for this announcement could be, ” Thank you for sharing this memorable day with us, If you could please refrain from using your smart devices during the ceremony it would be appreciated.”
Advising with the wedding program is also another way you can ask that guests refrain from using their devices. This will be an easy way to slip the wording in under the ceremony block.
Limit the urge to take photos during the ceremony by having your wedding officiant set aside 30 seconds where you and the wedding party turn and smile to the guests. Have your officiant announce this when you and your partner first arrive at the altar. This may help purge the built up pressure to take a photo of you all.
You can also create an announcement on your Wedding Website that explains your wedding is going to be unplugged. This will be a quick and passive way to ask guests to keep their camera phones away for the ceremony.
Share your professional Photos with guests after your wedding. This is a great way to make sure your guests feel included and can remember the beautiful day. Be understanding and realize that your guests are not trying to hijack your wedding by taking photos during the ceremony.
Most everyone that will be taking photos believe they are taking them for your benefit and to share them on social media and directly with you. Have a chat with your photographer prior to the wedding and explain to them the importance of capturing guest photographs so that you can share them later.
Have a Photo Booth or Selfie Taking Station
This is a great way for guests to have photos taken of their own that will be sure to encourage your guests to have fun! Having a photo booth good for mingling and having guests take photos with each other in a fun way. You can go full in with a photo booth setup and a photo booth attendant. This setup will encourage guests to take more photos and the helpful attendant will keep things photographs flowing.
Another option is to have a selfie station, a polaroid station, or even just a backdrop setup where people can take photos themselves.
A selfie station is a place where the user can take photographs from a camera provided by you. You could have a polaroid camera, old cellphone, or a digital camera at a central location where the guests can take photos. Here is an example of a Polaroid camera you can have guests take photos with. Here is a link to it on amazon.
Setting up a backdrop with a sign or a chalkboard explaining to take a photo with the backdrop is a cheap and easy photo booth alternative. You can find cheap photo booth backdrops on amazon or you could make your own.
Guests will appreciate this and you will see more photos taken during these activities that can be shared on social media and with you.
I got invited to an unplugged wedding, What does that mean?
Guest etiquette for an unplugged wedding ceremony can be different depending on the request from the couple. Some couples will only want this during the ceremony and others will want it throughout the wedding. This is similar to having an adult only wedding.
The couples prefer to limit distractions and for this instance it means no cellphones to interrupt the ceremony. Whether it is a ringing cell phone or someone leaning into the photographers photo with their phone out, the reasons will vary by couple.
Some of these considerations will go along way to make the couples wedding the most enjoyable by respecting their wishes.
Try not to take photos during the ceremony whether this is an unplugged wedding or not. This includes when the bride or groom walk down the aisle. I’m sure they would rather see your smiling (or crying) face instead of your phone.
If you are sharing photos on social media try to only share photos that others would want to be shared. What does this mean? Don’t take a drunk or embarrassing photograph and post it. A lot of planning went into making this wedding beautiful and this would upset the couple.
Be respectful of the couples culture or religious beliefs during the ceremony. What does this mean? Don’t use your phone during the mass or if there is a religious practice that would be disrespected.
Don’t bury yourself in your phone. No one wants to see you finding your phone more interesting than their big day.
Stay out of the Professionals way. The photographers were hired for a reason. They know when and how to take the best shot. Don’t get in their way during their photo taking. If you would like a particular photo taken then ask them nicely.
Last but not least.. Don’t bring the Ipad.
I hope you have a Beautiful Wedding with perfect Photographs. Don’t forget to schedule a Photo booth! Be Safe, Be Happy! Goodluck!
SavetheDate.vip is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.
Setting up a Zoom Wedding is not as hard as it would seem. If you have a Smart Phone, then setup will be a breeze. In this post I will show you how to setup your Zoom Wedding and some of the recommended options to make it a success.
We will discuss the technology involved in making this possible and the settings that will help make the setup a breeze.
Why are couples choosing to have a Zoom Wedding?
There are a few reasons why you would have to have a Zoom Wedding. First reason is because of the Pandemic going on. It may not be permissible to have a large group of people gather for your wedding. Please check with your local officials to get the latest guidelines.
If you are wanting to have a Zoom wedding because you are getting married a long distance away from family, at the courthouse steps, or out of the country then this post will hopefully help you get setup.
Having a Zoom Wedding setup can also help older guests that can’t make it to your wedding or even just a supplemental feed for guests that can’t make it in person.
No matter what your reason is for a Zoom Wedding this post will help you get an idea of how to setup.
What type of camera should I use for my Zoom Wedding Setup?
The easiest camera setup I have found is to use a Smart Phone. Zoom has an app for Android and Iphone that will make this setup a hassle free setup. A bonus to the easy app setup is that virtually all smart phones have amazing built in cameras that can capture full HD video. Using a phone will give you the best results with minimal effort.
Having a proper stand is key to pulling off your virtual ceremony. I like to use a tripod setup for any of my phone photography or videography. This same idea can be applied to your Zoom setup. If you want an option just to hold your phone (outside wedding in bright environment) then I would use the Amazon Basics Tripod and a Tripod Phone Mount.
Depending on if you are shooting your wedding ceremony inside or outside you will also have to worry about lighting. If you are inside then I would recommend a Ring Light Setup. With this setup you will not have to purchase a separate stand or Iphone mount. As you can see below this setup allows you to attach your phone inside the ring light. This makes aiming the light easy because it will light up the direction of your camera.
How to setup a Virtual Wedding Officiant
The next question for you will be if you are having a Wedding Officiant come to your location to marry you or if you are getting married virtually. Some states offer Wedding Officiant’s to marry you over video conferencing technology. You will have to check your home state at this time as this is probably evolving more with Covid 19.
If you are having a virtual Wedding Officiant then you will need a display of some kind to show your officiant. This can be as simple as a laptop, tablet or using your television.
A good setup would be to position your Zoom Camera facing your television. Then you and your partner can stand in front of the television like a normal wedding setup where your guests can see you getting married with the officiant in the middle. This is an ideal setup. This will give you and your guests a feeling of some normalcy.
How do I setup the Zoom Meeting for a Wedding?
To setup your Zoom Wedding you will need a Zoom account. Depending on your anticipated ceremony time and guest count you have a few membership options to choose from. I will then show you some of the default settings you should use to have the best experience.
Start Here: Setting up your account.
You have a few options to look over when setting up your Zoom account. You can setup your account under the free membership at first to get a feel of how to use the service. If you plan on having a ceremony that lasts more than 40 minutes then you will need to have a paid membership.
The good part is that the paid membership can be paid monthly and if you only need the Zoom Pro account for one month then simply cancel after your Wedding Ceremony.
Notable reasons why you would want to use the Pro membership over the free membership.
Social Media Streaming Included
Over 30 hour Streaming Limit compared to 40 minutes on the free Membership
1 GB of cloud recording
These are the options that you will most likely use over the free membership for a virtual wedding. If you need more spots for guests then you will need to upgrade to the Business membership which has the same above options plus more. You can have up to 300 guests with this option. Most weddings will only need to use a free or Pro membership.
Setting up your Meeting.
In this step you will need to Sign up for your account and verify your e-mail. After this then you can setup your Meeting for your wedding.
After Confirming your e-mail then you will need to click the “Schedule a Meeting” button.
Then you will need to Enter the Date, Time, and name of your Meeting, (Example: “Damien and Jes’s Wedding”). Make sure you adjust the meeting time if it will be over the default 1 hour or 40 minutes under the free plan.
Next you will want to go to Settings. Under settings make sure you turn on Waiting Room so that your guests can sign in before you login and have a place to wait.
Turn on the Passcode if you want to secure your meeting and that your guests don’t lose their spot because someone not invited got the access code and took their spot.
Embed the passcode into the link. This is good for older guests that will have a hard time setting up the meeting.
Chat Feature if you want your guests to be able to chat with you and each other during the ceremony.
Breakout Room if you want to have smaller rooms that are kind of like seating at a conventional wedding. This way guests can speak with their small group like a virtual table.
After you Hit save you will have an invitation Link in the Meetings information. You can then send this to your guests.
When you are ready to start your Ceremony you just start the meeting and you should be good to go!
This is why Zoom is the preferred Wedding Ceremony Streaming service. Its easy to Setup and most users can get it up and going with little hiccups along the way. For more information check out Zoom’s website and sign up for a free account. Setting up a test meeting will take a couple minutes and you can test it with your partner to see if this can be a good option for you.
With that I wish you Luck and Happiness in whatever you do. Be Happy and Stay Safe!
SavetheDate.vip is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.
During these uncertain times with Covid 19 and the ever changing guidelines you may be wondering what to do if your wedding has to be cancelled or postponed. In this post I will discuss your options on Cancelling, Postponing and other options to take if you just can’t wait.
You should cancel your Wedding if a circumstance beyond your control will significantly impact your Wedding Day plan. How should you proceed.
Should I cancel my wedding because of Covid 19?
If you are wondering if you should cancel your wedding right now, there are a few different ways to handle this situation. I have found that postponing the wedding will help with some fees associated with your big day.
Usually a Venue and Vendor is not willing to give up a customer and will allow you reschedule without losing your money.
If your wedding venue is forced to close due to Covid 19 Guidelines then you should cancel or postpone your wedding to allow guests and vendors time to adjust. If you or your soon to be significant other contract the virus then you have no choice but to cancel or postpone your big day.
Some other unforeseeable reasons to cancel or postpone would be:
Unfortunately any reason to cancel is going to be stressful and some research can help you find a place to start. Below I will outline some avenues to start with.
If I have to cancel my Wedding what should I do first?
I realize that this may be answered a few different ways but the first thing you should do is take care of anything related to the reason you cancelled in the first place.
Next start from the top and see what you can get rescheduled or refunded.
Make a List of all the Services you paid Money
Next make a list of all the contracts you have made and money that you have paid out. Often times you will have a receipt or some type of document related to the service. It is a good idea to keep all these in a safe place in the event an issue like this arises.
Often times vendors will require a non refundable deposit fee. I have my Photo Booth Company which also goes by this rule. I have had instances where someone had to cancel but they almost always want to reschedule at a later date.
With my business the non refundable fee is not set in stone. It can be enforced but there are also alternative avenues to take if you are needing to cancel. Often times if someone needs to reschedule I allow them to change the date based on availability and keep their deposit.
Take proactive steps in trying to relieve the money loss from your cancellation. Explain the situation and be understanding to your vendor. Try to sympathize with their business cost and see if they would be willing to apply the deposit back to another date.
Plan that some of the vendors may have to charge an additional fee to reschedule. Read the fine print in your contracts and make sure you are taking the best approach with planning your new date.
Contact your Wedding Insurance ( If you have Insurance)
I believe you should then contact your Wedding Insurance if you have a policy in place. Wedding Insurance is usually not new to this type of issue. They can often offer some guidance and assist in what your plan covers.
Check into whether your policy will cover any part of Covid 19 related issues. If there is some type of natural disaster they will often cover portions of your Vendor and Venue fee’s.
Just remember that the Wedding Insurance will usually cover things that are not under your control.
If you are researching this topic proactively then it may be a good time right now to research Wedding Insurance.
Notify your Guests
Wow this is an important step in the process. You really need to get everyone informed so they are not showing up to your cancelled wedding.
This is a hard part of your cancellation process. Depending on your guest count you could be left with contacting anywhere from 50 to 200 guests to let them know you are rescheduling. Proper Etiquette is to contact each guest by phone. This is a long and tedious process that can be handled through e-mail.
Everyone has e-mail right? No, not everyone has e-mail. I would recommend starting the process by sending out an e-mail and or social media notification to most of the guests you have contacts for. Then contact the others without electronic means of communication.
Ideally you would have a new date planned fairly quickly and you can send out invitations or Save the Dates again. I had just received a Save the Date that said, ” Lets try this again!” Lighten the mood with a silly card.
Alternative Wedding Ideas if you must cancel your Wedding
If you have to cancel your venue, there are still ways to have your wedding that you can make work. Remember this is more than just a huge event. This is the rest of your life and if you want more than anything to marry the one you live then consider these alternatives.
You can Host a Virtual Wedding
In this day and age hosting a Virtual Wedding is easier than its ever been. You can also stick to your original date and have your guests tune into your ceremony from afar. Keeping everyone safe (during a pandemic) and you can have your wedding anywhere that you can be connected to the internet.
There are many different options for Virtual Wedding Hosts. Some of the more popular options include:
Zoom
Google Hangouts
Facebook Live
YouTube Live
Instagram Live
Get married now and have a reception (party) later
Not having a huge wedding does not mean marrying the Love of your Life has to wait. You can have a legal Marriage Ceremony with a small group of family and friends. You can also get married at the courthouse in most places (Even during the Pandemic).
Then if you can reschedule your reception hall for anther date go ahead. Also if your vendors will be willing to work with you then reschedule them for your big celebration.
Celebrate your day even if its not conventional!
Despite the Pandemic or any of the other reasons you may need to cancel make it happen. After all getting married is more about the union than holding a huge party. Sure the Party is very fun but you can always have than later.
You have gone this far in your planning to make your wedding wonderful and it still will be. Everything may look different but looking back you will be glad you figured it. Marriage is all about obstacles and working together. Plan a day you will never forget!
What are the benefits of having a wedding at your home?
Smaller Guest List
You can keep your guest list small because having a wedding at your home is very intimate. Remember this is your space and inviting your closest friends and family is your main goal. If you are worried about the reaction of people that don’t get invited just explain to them that space is limited. Consider live streaming the wedding for those that can’t attend or may feel excluded. This also helps you keep your costs lower.
More Dates to choose from
Having your wedding at your home is great! You do not have to compete with other couples on wedding dates at the limited venue options that most cities have. Want to have your wedding on a holiday weekend, check. Want to have your wedding on a week day? Do it. You can have your wedding when it’s the right time for you.
Will having our wedding at home save us money?
Having your wedding at home will save you money. The best part is not having to pay for an expensive wedding venue. Having your wedding at home may not come at no cost but it will be significantly cheaper. If you expect inclement weather, then renting a tent may be one cost that you should look into.
Decorating will be cheaper and can be done by you and some helpers. If you chose to rent seating and tables for the occasion, then you will still be in good shape with your budget. Chairs and tables can be rented per unit and you can provide your own table cloths. You can also have alcohol setup at in a self-serve fashion.
You will not have to pay for a bartender or the use of the venue’s license. Many other savings will add up to make your at home wedding a great alternative to renting a venue.
Can I have a wedding with animals? Should I have children at my wedding?
Sure you can. If you are having an at home wedding you can make the rules. Tell guests to bring their children or pets. This is your day and if you want to include horses in your wedding you totally should. Children are also the life of the party sometimes. A lot of guests will choose to stay home if they can’t find childcare. Bring those kiddos to the party, you won’t regret it.
What are some money saving options for our at home wedding?
Here are a few options to help cut down costs of your wedding and can be just as nice as a wedding venue.
Food and Drink
Plan on having guests bring a covered dish. If you don’t want to do that enlist your family and friends to help prepare the meal. Have a large assortment of items as appetizers so that guests can snack before the meal.
If you want to take the burden off yourself then order catering from a family restaurant. Most restaurants now offer catering at a low price and if you pick up the food yourself its cheaper.
Drinks are easy. Setup a drink station for soda, juice, water, or sweet tea. The options are endless. Make sure you have enough disposable cups for the amount of guests attending.
Alcohol is the same way. If you are having alcohol at your wedding have a small bar area picked out where guests can help themselves to coolers of beer or a liquor area. Stock the bar yourself or have everyone bring something to share.
Photography
You definitely want someone to capture the moments of your big day. If you have friends or family that are willing to help out and take photos for your wedding then consider this option. Make sure you thank them somehow with a gift or some type of monetary tip. Check out our post on how to tip.
Having a DJ can be expensive. If you are trying to have a budget DJ then consider someone new to the profession. If you are just wanting music then rent or borrow a large stereo or PA system and play your own preselected tunes.
Wedding Invitations
Don’t forget savings in this area. There are many options for this category. You can make your own designs for free using the Canva.com or Canva App. You can also use Vista Print which offers a way to make your own invitations. Shutterfly, Zazzle, and Minted are also always offering discounts on wedding invitations. This is an easy way to save. Shop around and find your best money savings.
Wedding Favors
Its tradition to have wedding favors but honestly if you are having your wedding at home and on a budget is anything really traditional? The costs of wedding favors can vary but it could be simple enough to just get small bags of candy or make a wedding mix CD.
Wedding Tables
So you want your wedding tables to be pretty but want to stay on budget. You can get table clothes from the big box store and you can make simple table center pieces from items you can get from the dollar store. The possibilities are endless and you can make this cheap or expensive. If you are crafty there are tons of ideas on Pinterest.
Will my neighbors be okay with me having a wedding at home?
I don’t know? This is a question you should ask yourself. If you are close to the neighbors they may be at your wedding. If you are not close to them just go ask them what they think as a courtesy. Happy neighbors go along way and if you notify them of your intentions they are usually fine. Let them know the ceremony time and when you plan on wrapping everything up. Offer for them to stop over for a bite to eat or cake.
What to do if it Rains on my wedding day?
This is definitely something you should plan for. If you have a large enough area to have the guests come inside, then plan accordingly. The other option is having a tent to go under. Renting a tent is probably one of the best options I can recommend The price isn’t frugal but you will be glad that you picked this add on if and when it rains. You can also hide the guests from the blaring sun and decorating a party tent can look very pretty.
What are some things to consider when planning an at home wedding?
Power
Are you going to be close to your house? If so you can run the power from your house or outbuilding. If you are going to be in a field far from your house you can consider a generator.
Restrooms
There is nothing more frustrating than waiting in line for a restroom. You can rent a restroom trailer or have portable restrooms available at a small cost. This will keep the guests from having to use your personal space and they will be glad when there is not a line to use the restroom.
Insurance and Permits
If your local jurisdiction requires you to have a permit for a large party this is something you may need to look into. Many municipal governments will require a permit. If you live in a rural area this is less likely.
Looking into a onetime event insurance may be a good idea. If you own your home then adding a one time event insurance may be an option. Check with your current insurance agent and see if they have this as an options. You will need to provide the date, times, and number of people in attendance. There are many online resources for 1 day event insurance.
Parking
This really depends on where you live. If you have a willing neighbor, you can ask then for additional parking or if your property is large enough designate an area for parking. This really depends on where you live and how much property is available.
Another option is to hire a valet service. If there Is a parking area close by you can have the service run for a set amount of time to make sure your guests can safely get to your home. Make sure to express to your guests that they will have a window of time to be at the parking lot for pickup.
Whatever you do make sure its what you want.
Having your wedding at home can be a huge money saver. It will be more stressful as you won’t be paying for someone else to make sure everything is done correctly but if you can deal with the extra planning then you will really have a great wedding date and it will be more intimate since it is your space. Whatever you decide to do just remember to enjoy your day and company.
Like me, I’m sure you are sick of hearing about Covid 19 by now. Unfortunately I think this virus is here to stay for now but that does not mean you should postpone your big day.
Putting your life plans on hold due to the Corona Virus is frustrating. In this Post I’m going to share with you some of the ways I have seen Brides and Grooms tailor their weddings to create a safer environment to reduce exposure to Covid.
What is Covid 19 and currently how does the CDC say its transferred?
Well unless you have been living under a rock you have heard the dangers regarding Covid 19. Currently the CDC is recommending some guidelines to help you stay safe.
“CDC recommends that all people, regardless of symptoms, and whether or not they have had COVID-19 in the past, continue to take all recommended measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission (i.e., wear masks, stay 6 feet away from others whenever possible, and wash hands regularly)”
So currently the CDC is saying the Virus can be transferred from Person to Person respiratory Droplets.
Touching a surface which has the virus on it and then touching your face/ mouth/ nose or eyes.
The virus may be spread by people who do not have symptoms also.
We have all been living under the guidelines of our local states and governments as of late and we have found there are a few precautions we can take to mitigate the risk of infection. Next I will go over some of the tips I have seen at weddings and have been advised from friends and family.
Can I have a wedding virtually?
This is a question that some couples have been asking. Can you have your wedding virtually by using zoom or live stream. Yes this has been done. You can even have your wedding officiant perform the ceremony virtually in some states. I know that having a live streamed wedding is not as intimate as some would like but it does allow your guests to view the ceremony and experience with you. Some may setup a virtual wedding for older relatives who you would not want to risk contracting the virus.
Some tips for your virtual wedding checklist!
If you are not completely sure if your venue will be closed on the date of your wedding plan ahead and have a setup for your virtual wedding ceremony. This way you can still have your wedding if you do not want to wait for the pandemic to pass.
Choose what live streaming platform you will be using. From what I have learned Zoom seems to be the most popular option but that does not mean other platforms are not catching up and adapting to be more wedding suited.
Zoom
Google Hangouts
Facebook Live
Youtube Live
Instagram Live
Invite your guests as normal. The easiest way to invite your guests for your virtual wedding would be to sent an invitation. Give an exact time and date. Tell your guests they can still dress up and to feel free to have some drinks with you while you say I Do. Tell the guests to use the chat function on your platform to send encouraging messages during the ceremony because you will have them muted as to not interrupt your wedding exchange. Include your Meeting ID incase your guests get knocked out of the stream or they have a hard time connecting.
Dress Up! This is your wedding and it will feel more like your big day if you look the part. As I said above, encourage your guests to dress up as they watch you all.
The final tip I have for you is make sure you have good lighting. Even if you need to buy some cheap clamp lights. There is nothing worse than having a video feed that is grainy and out of focus. The lighting will help your device capture your big day. I recommend placing your lighting behind the camera to the side or inline with it. I use LED bulbs in the clamp lights above. Make sure to use daylight balanced bulbs as they will look better on the feed.
How to keep guests safe at my wedding during Covid?
Okay so you are determined to have your in person wedding and the Wedding Venue is still open. Perfect, lets go over some practices that will ensure you are keeping your guests safer and still having a experience.
Remember Rules and Regulations are different in every state. Make sure you are complying with the most up to date information you can.
Setup a place for your guests when they enter the venue where they can use hand sanitizer and mask up if they have not brought their own masks. This is very important. I’m not sure if this has happened to you yet but I find myself arriving somewhere often and jumping out of my vehicle only to turn back around. I forgot my mask in the car. Make is simple to be safe with some disposable masks prearranged for your guests.
Next arrange seating so that your chairs are in groups for families and assigning seats for the wedding ceremony would probably help considerably. The guidelines that have been used most recently are to space seats approximately 6 feet apart. If you are with your household members you can sit closer. I would have my seating prearranged for guest that RSVP and I would have overflow seating in the back of the ceremony spaced 6 feet apart for anyone that came unexpected.
For dining sitting your guests spaced 6 feet apart will be hard but as a safety measure it should be considered. Check with your venue and see if they have made arrangements for this previously at other events they have had. You can’t eat food or drink without taking off your mask. This is one of the hardest decisions to make during your event because guests will be seated for a long period of time together. Place household members together the best you can and space the rest out 6 feet apart. These are just recommendations as there is not best way to perform this task.
Do not be discouraged with a lower turnout of guests than expected. After all this is a hard time to be attending events and if someone feels their immune system is compromised you really will appreciate them staying home for the evening. On the flip side it would be a side it would make life easier if you limited the number of guests. If I’m being honest I would find this to be the hardest part.
Whatever you decide to do just make sure your guests are on the same page as you. Let them know the safety precautions, have your DJ issue warnings to guests before and after different times. Make sure everyone has a good time and is safe. Your guests will appreciate all the planning that went into your event during these hard times.
I just had a Wedding during Covid 19, Now what?
So congratulations you did it! You made it and hopefully had a beautiful wedding day! Now here are some questions that have arisen from weddings that have commenced during the Pandemic.
What if one of my guests tested positive after my wedding?
You and your spouse need to get tested!
The best way I can answer this is to make sure you have the contact information for your Venue, Vendors, and all guests. It would be your duty or someone willing to help you to contact everyone that was at your event and notify them of possible exposure. This will be appreciated by your guests and the vendors involved. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to have guests log down their e-mails in your guest book or have a place on the RSVP for this. E-mailing would make this task so much easier.
My wedding was cancelled due to Covid, What do I do?
This would be another good reason to have everyone’s e-mails handy. If you need to reschedule your wedding at this time it will probably be last minute that your venue got cancelled. You are a the mercy of the Venue, state and federal guidelines on the virus. Don’t take anything personal as they are just trying to keep you and your guests safe. Make sure you know the cancellation policy before the event with your vendors and venue. If you can purchase insurance for your wedding that is also an option.
My wedding guests are refusing to wear a mask, What do I do?
Ask them nicely. This is your big day. Please tell them that the mask is not only for your safety but also theirs. No one likes wearing the mask. But other aspects should not be hard to follow like washing or sanitizing your hands. If they don’t want to play by the rules designate someone to enforce your rules or have them leave. This should be the last thing you worry about on your big day.
What is considered a safe wedding venue during Covid?
Think outdoors. I know depending on where you live it may be colder during certain times of the year. I have found that outdoor weddings can be beautiful and if you have the opportunity they are also the safest option.
Should You have a wedding during Covid?
Lastly this is a question you should ask yourself and family. There are risks involved with being exposed to the virus. I think overall it can be done.
I have been a Photo Booth attendant at weddings during Covid and everything went smooth. Being a witness to the very tips above being implemented and all of the Wedding Guests safely used my Booth. I also made sure to clean after each guest.
Hopefully this has given you the tools that you would need to tackle a Covid Wedding. Whatever you do make sure you and your partner are happy with the decisions being made. Good Luck! Be Happy! Be Safe!
Not mandatory but certainly appreciated. A normal tip would be $50 to $200.
Do I tip the Photo Booth Operator?
Typically, it is not mandatory to tip the photo booth operator. If the attendant performed exceptionally well then it would be a great way to show your gratitude. But if you do choose to tip, how do you determine the amount?
First just know there are no rules to determine the tipping of the Photo Booth Attendant. The Photo Booth Company usually charges a set fee for the hours of use and any additional add-on services.
Does the attendant own the business or are they just an employee? Consider tipping the attendant if they are an employee for the company.
Certainly not required but if tipping you can expect to tip anywhere from $50-$200 dollars.
How to Tip?At the end of the reception or provide afterward in your thank you card. Cash is usually preferred.
While we are on the subject of tipping let’s explore other vendor tipping practices. Some of the vendors you have at the wedding have their tips calculated directly into the total bill.
Make sure you check this when planning your event. Below you will find other vendor typed and the best tipping practices.
This is my Photo Booth. At the very end I have also included a Photo Strip sample.
How much should I tip my Wedding Planner?
This is someone that has your big day planned. Who do you go to when you have an anxious moment?
Anwer: The Wedding Planner.
Wedding Planners do not expect to be tipped and sometimes the tip is included in the contract. But what if your Wedding Planner does an exceptional Job? You have two options, A tip or a non-monetary Thank you gift.
Most couples do tip the Wedding Planner from 10 to 20 percent. Another helpful gesture would be to provide professional photographs from your wedding that could be placed in your Planners portfolio.
How to Tip?At the end of the reception or provide afterward in your thank you card. Cash is usually preferred.
How much do I tip the Wedding Officiant?
Tipping your Wedding Officiant is often customary. Sometimes they are affiliated with a specific church or other organization. If so then you are often expected to make a donation to them.
If you are getting married in the space provided by the institution then you will be charged a fee for using the facility. At this time it wouldn’t be necessary to provide a huge donation as they have already charged you for their service.
Tipping the Officiant is appreciated and it seems that $50 to $100 is customary. If they spent extra time providing premarital counseling then you may feel compelled to compensate them for that also.
How to tip? Usually prior to the ceremony and cash in an envelope. At the rehearsal dinner is a good time.
How much do I tip the Photographer? How much should I tip the Videographer?
You are not expected to tip your Photographer or Videographer. Normally they charge an agreed upon fee for their services. Another thing to consider is if they own their own studio or are simply working for a company. This will determine if they are being payed by the studio as an employee. Often times it would be recommended to tip the employee as they are not making the amount the studio is making. If you feel the Photographer or Videographer went above and beyond then tip them. $50-$200 dollars per vendor is a good standard.
How to Tip?At the end of the reception or provide afterward in your thank you card. Cash is usually preferred.
How much do I tip the DJ? How much do I tip the band?
Believe it or not some DJ’s have the tip factored into their pricing. Make sure to check for this before tipping. It is fair to tip them because they play a huge role in the way your wedding flows. The DJ is with you and your guests through the ceremony and into the reception. If you are happy with the service your DJ provides then a good tipping amount is anywhere from $50 to $200 dollars. If you choose to tip more then do so based on how many technicians they brought with them and the quality of their service.
If you have a live band they will be playing throughout your reception and possibly before the ceremony. It is optional to tip the band but is preferred. A good rule of thumb would be $20 to $35 per band member.
How to Tip?At the end of the reception or provide afterward in your thank you card. Cash is usually preferred.
How much do I tip my Wedding Bartender? How much do I tip my Wedding Waitstaff?
Tipping the Bartenders and Waitstaff is often dictated by the contract with their company. If they add a fee onto the contract that factors in the tips then you are okay not tipping. If you feel the service was exceptional then 10% to 20% is an appropriate tip.
How to Tip?At the end of the reception. Cash is usually preferred.
How much do I tip my Coat and Restroom Attendants?
If you have Coatroom and Restroom Attendants you would tip around $1 dollar per guest. This is the standard tipping amount and the guests will sometimes be tipping at the time of service as well.
How to Tip?At the end of the reception. Cash is usually preferred.
How much should I tip the Wedding Transportation?
Tips are usually in the rental fee and calculated by the amount of scheduled guests attending. If you have valets at the venue a tip of $1-$5 dollars is average. If you do pay the vendors then 15% to 20% is appropriate.
How to Tip?At the end of the reception. Cash is usually preferred.
Do I tip the Wedding Setup Staff?
The wedding setup staff have a large job ahead of them. They normally bring all the wedding items into your venue and then have to figure out the best efficient way to set them up. Its not expected but an appropriate amount to tip the staff would be $5 to $20 per person. If you hire a company that is contracted to deliver these items then this is sometimes covered in the contract.
How to Tip?At the end of the reception. Cash is usually preferred.
Should I tip my Wedding Rental Company?
You are not expected to provide a tip for a rental Company. Typically they will deliver, tents, chairs, tables linens and other party supplies. This will be covered in their rental contract. Make sure you arrange the delivery, pickup and cleaning fee prior to the event. It is not expected but an appropriate amount to tip the staff would be $5 to $20 per person.
How to Tip?At the end of the reception. Cash is usually preferred.
Should I tip my Wedding Florist? Should I tip my Wedding Cake maker?
It is not expected to tip your Florist or Cake maker but both items are very important to your wedding. Its appropriate to tip a flat rate, because remember you are paying for their contracted service also. Make sure to check on their delivery and setup fees and if they have the tip factored in on their invoice. When tipping them a fair amount would be $10 to $20 dollars per delivery person for your cake and $5 to $10 dollars for the florist.
How to Tip?When they are done setting up or delivering the items. Cash is usually preferred.
Should I tip the Wedding Hairstylist and Makeup Artist?
Your hairstylist and Makeup artist are normally tipped. A good rule of thumb is around 15% up to 25% of their fee. This is also the same amount that you normally would tip if going to a regular salon. Consider tipping more or a flat rate of $50 if the service is exceptional. If one of the bridesmaids happen to have a hair mishap or you need special attention in an area then make sure to show your gratitude.
How to Tip?At the end of your session. Cash is usually preferred.
Who Should handle my Wedding Tips?
The best man should handle the tips. You can instruct him to present the tips to the head person of the service.
Good practice is always make sure to offer a meal to the vendors who stay the duration of the wedding. The vendors should also have access to drinks and make sure to discuss this with the caterer prior to the event.
if you follow these guides then you should have a smoother wedding. Remember this is not a text book manual to wedding tipping. Use common sense and if you enjoyed the services provided then give a tip. If you absolutely had a nightmare of a vendor then tipping will be on the low end of your priorities.
I hope you have a great wedding! Stay Safe! Be Happy! Take care!
