7 New Wedding Ideas During Covid

There’s no denying that right now, newly engaged couples are looking for wedding ideas during covid. And for those of us in the event world, that means safety measures are top of mind. With so much to think about, some may want to throw up their hands! But I take it as a challenge and opportunity to try infusing new stunning design ideas and elements. (Any excuse to reinvent and infuse new ideas into old wedding traditions.) Having pulled off several events in recent weeks, I have come to the conclusion that it is entirely possible to design a safe event that still looks personal, beautiful and unique in every way. Here, 7 fun new wedding ideas during Covid ways to design a fabulous and safe event!

1. Double down on outdoor lounge vignettes.

Creating a comfortable, safe environment from the start is absolutely essential and the right design can do that! Choose comfortable chairs and and lounge seating furnishings that you use should definitely be comfortable and make people feel warm. Guests will likely find themselves seated for longer (read: not walking around as much as at events in the past) so I recommend choosing pieces that are not only beautiful but offer a lot of comfort. Incorporating greenery and other natural elements into the design can also help to make guests feel at home once they’ve found a spot to sit and enjoy the party. 

2.  Get Creative with Fresh Juice at the Bar

A squeeze of lime in the cocktail is most definitely a thing of the past. But that also has given us the opportunity to re-think the way in which fruit is served at the bar. So instead, we now juice the fresh fruit ahead of time and serve them to guests using pretty labeled glass bottles. Not only does it fall in the category of fabulous wedding ideas during covid but you and your guests can rest easy when ordering your cocktail. 

3. Elevate the Hors d’oeuvres at Cocktail Hour

When it comes to the food service at weddings during Covid, we’re skipping the passed appetizer idea altogether to cut down on the number of service staff. Instead, we’re serving guests their own individual pre-plated hors d’oeuvres plates. Not only does it keep everyone safe, the dinner service-style instantly elevates the cocktail hour.

4. Try a Persian-Style Wedding Ceremony

While it’s great to have your officiant stand right behind you, the spacing can be tough. Instead, we’ve started designing the ceremony Persian-style where the officiant stands to one side. I love this as it now all about the couple and it looks great in the photos. 

Of course, we’re also spacing out the chairs at the ceremony. New spacing like this has its benefits. Not only are guests spaced safely apart, they also have better visibility of the main event!

 

5. Space Out the Seated Dinner With Extra Place Setting Details

This girl loves a seated dinner. I just love the fabulousness of it all. And since we have to space everyone out now for a wedding during covid, that lends itself to new table designs that look more like styled shoots than packed reception tables of the past. Think: stunning details like luxe, linens, crystal glassware, layered china, and lots of candles. I could go on an on!

6. Allow Guests To Signal Their Comfort Level 

Truly, the secret to a great event (besides all of those amazing personal details) is keeping your guests comfortable and in the moment. One of the best ways to do that right now is to provide them ways to feel in control of their environment. Enter comfort level signaling. Below is a photo taken from a recent event: Upon arrival into the Race and Religious, guests were greeted with warm towels for their hands, personal hand sanitizers, and the option to choose from one of three masks that helped them easily express their comfort level.

Don’t miss the opportunity to personalize the hand sanitizers. This is a great moment to add branded signage, a vintage glass pump bottle filled with hand sanitizer and a beautiful floral arrangement, while also making guests feel safe.

7. Three Words: Mini Wedding Cakes

Say goodbye to one large cake (that has to get divvied up and passed) and hello to mini wedding cakes. I recently suggested mini cakes to my clients and they fell head over heels with the idea. To up the ante on the cake display, I ordered custom half marble-half wooden coasters for all of the guests. The coasters were engraved with the letter “K” for the couples last name initial. When guests were served their mini cakes, they also received their surprise wedding favors! Such a fun way for guests to eat their way to a wedding favor.