It’s fair to say that 2020 wasn’t the year anyone hoped for, but for those who were set to get married either this year, things have been particularly dreary recently. Perhaps you’ve had to reschedule, reduce the size of or even cancel your wedding day – something which can take its toll on your emotions and finances. But if you’re still planning on saying ‘I do’ in the near future, despite the pandemic, your day doesn’t have to be any less spectacular than planned.
The current rules in the UK say you can have up to 30 people at your wedding reception and this figure includes the couple, witnesses, officiants and guests. What’s more, though many venues or suppliers are having to work a bit differently than normal, many have now re-opened and are providing their services once again.
So, don’t let Covid have the last laugh, we’re here to inspire you to plan a beautiful, small wedding day despite the pandemic. Below are nine fun and unique ways you can tie the knot during Covid-19 and still have the wedding day of your dreams.
Live stream the event
We understand that cutting down your guest list can be tricky, especially if you’ve got a large group of family and friends. But with Coronavirus restrictions in place, this is something that must be done. So why not live stream your event so that those who can’t attend can still watch as you say your vows. After all, this is one of the highlights of the big day and your would-have-been guests won’t want to miss out!
Keep it really personal
If you’ve always wanted a big wedding with everyone there but have now decided that getting married is what counts whether you’re having a big or small celebration, then why not keep it really personal. By this we mean literally you, your partner and your witnesses (perhaps your parents and siblings if that’s also important to you too).
That way, you can throw a huge party for everyone else when things return to normal and wear your dress again and still have the big party you always wanted.
Get married in your garden
Have you (or your family) got access to a beautiful garden or outdoor space? While previously you might not have been able to use this space as your guest list was too big, a smaller event means you need a smaller venue, right! So save yourself some money on your venue and make the most of your beautiful outdoor space.
You could even hang lights from the trees, put up a marquee, light huge outdoor candles and create a really intimate and romantic space for your celebrations.
Choose a quirky venue
Often some of the really fun venues can’t cater for large wedding parties so you may have previously had to rule these out. But now you’re planning a smaller wedding why not choose a quirky venue like a barn, teepee or cabin. For example, The Secret Garden in Kent offers a fun, festival vibe or you could create a romantic, intimate setting as you say your vows by the Belvedere at No1 Abbey Row in the Cotswolds.
Have a festival wedding
If you’re looking for a more relaxed feel for your day, why not host a small festival-style wedding where everyone camps and spends the night. You could choose somewhere that offers glamping pods and yurts, or simply tell everyone to dust off their old tents and pitch up. Either way, you can spend your evening sitting around the campfire with your nearest and dearest, listening to your favourite songs.
Step away from the traditional sit-down meal
With a smaller group of guests your catering options are much wider, so why not do something different like have a BBQ, stone-baked pizzas or a food truck. With a small intimate group, it can be nicer to skip the conventional sit-down meal and just enjoy the time together instead.
After all, the wedding meal is all about guests mingling and getting to know one another and big speeches and toasts. This can feel strange in a smaller group, so skip convention and do something more fun instead.
Why not elope
OK, travel is still a little unpredictable right now but if you want something truly intimate, why not elope to somewhere beautiful and get married on a beach, in the mountains or in your favourite city.
You could go just the two of you (and perhaps a few close friends and relative if you’d prefer) and say your vows in a completely different way. Just be sure to choose a safe destination and check any existing travel restrictions before you book your trip. It might be a little different to normal but travel is still possible, so don’t rule it out!
Add quirky elements to your day
A small wedding means you can spend more time and money on the smaller details that really make a difference. So be sure to add a touch of fun and personality to your day. This could be something like a ‘pimp my prosecco’ bar, giant garden games like Jenga or Connect 4, a bucket of sparklers makes for great pictures at night or a dessert truck serving your favourite sweet treat. There are so many ways to inject your personality into a smaller more intimate wedding, so really have some fun with it.
Make your own playlist
Traditionally you might have hired a band, string quartet or a DJ to play at your wedding but it can feel a little strange doing this for just a handful of people, especially a group of your nearest and dearest. So why not forgo the usual wedding music and make your own playlist instead.
You could use YouTube, Spotify or iTunes to make a list of all your favourite songs or even take requests from your guests for the ultimate wedding playlist. Plug this into your sound system and you and your guests can dance the night away to your favourite tunes.
For more information about the current Covid-19 situation, you can check out the full rules and regulations for weddings on the Government website, here.
