What Canadians Need To Know About Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Weddings

UPDATED APRIL 18, 2020

It’s wild times out there, friends. With the world facing the first pandemic in over 100 years, this is basically new territory for us as Canadians - especially when it comes to events. Coronavirus (COVID-19) and it’s impact on weddings wasn’t something any 2020 couples ever could have anticipated having to consider. On Friday, March 13 the Ontario Chief Medical Officer announced the immediate suspension of events or gatherings larger than 250 people. This has been beginning to cause some chaos and questions in the wedding and event industry, especially for couples who are eagerly anticipating their 2020 weddings. However, I’m here to hopefully encourage you that all is not lost - here are some tips and tricks of how to make your wedding more coronavirus friendly if you are able to go ahead & what you should know as you are preparing.

I will start by just saying I am not a medical professional or an expert in the spread of germs and what this means. I am however an Ontario wedding photographer with 10 years in the industry and I’m happy to share what I have found to be the most helpful tips for couples out there wondering what to do.

Spoiler alert - while all the info in this blog is helpful, my favourite new idea is down in number 10.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Weddings: All You Need To Know

First of all, I am so sorry that you are dealing with this interfering with your wedding. As a married person, I know the anticipation and excitement that goes into planning your day - and the reality of rescheduling, changing plans, or constant uncertainty surrounding your day sucks.

For weddings beyond May 2020 there are a lot of unknowns with whether or not you will be able to proceed. I personally have all May and June weddings postponed at this point. As a photographer, and human being, I can’t imagine how stressful this has been for all of my 2020 couples. So here are some suggestions, ideas, information, and whatever else I can think of to throw in here to help you! Please know if you have any questions you can reach out to me at any time!

1. Get In Touch With Your Vendors

If you haven’t already, this needs to be step one. The decision maker for your event will most likely be if your venue or caterer are suspending services. I would recommend getting in touch with every vendor (or having your planner do this) to verify their coronavirus policy and if they are requiring any events to be rescheduled. If they are requiring events be cancelled, be sure to find out how long this is taking place. Be sure to ask if there are any fees associated with rescheduling, ask how this impacts your payment plan, and also if your wedding isn’t required to be rescheduled at this point - ask when they will be making those decisions. Many venues/ vendors are making final calls within 45 days of the event. Open communication is key and your vendors deserve to know where you are with the virus and your wedding and you also need to know their policies.

After you get in touch with the venue be sure to contact your other primary vendors like your photographer, (hello!) videographer, florist, caterer, officiant, DJ, etc. Be sure to gather all of their available dates to coordinate a new date that works for as many of them as possible. Also, be sure to ask what their policies are. (much like the venue)

I know many vendors are not charging any additional fees for the remainder of 2020 (available dates) and until April 30, 2021, and I am doing the same. However because of the nature of our business and the following 2021 season, most vendors are requiring a re-booking fee for Saturdays in peak season 2021. Please understand that this is just so small businesses (like me!) can stay in business. If everyone rebooked to Saturdays in 2021 I wouldn’t be able to accommodate any new couples and therefor wouldn’t be able to continue shooting.

I would encourage you to re-imagine what your date could look like - if anything, this pandemic has given us all a new perspective. Reality is, when this is all said and done you are just going to be over-joyed to be celebrating with family and friends again. No one’s going to care if it’s on a Tuesday or Thursday, Friday or Sunday.. it seriously won’t change the significance of your day. If at all possible, plan for a 2020 date as well - this will help everyone!

2. Stay Informed With Accurate Information

There is so much fake news and rumours of what is happening going around. With the rise of social media be sure you are checking and verifying your sources when you are looking for information as it pertains to your wedding day. I would recommend relying on your provincial government website as well as The Government of Canada for accurate, up to date information.

A good idea if you are past July 2020 is just to have a contingency plan. An idea for what you will try to do if your date gets pushed. I know this is something you never imagined in planning your special day, but reality is, this is the current situation - and we are all in it together. It is a waiting game so the best thing you can do is be prepared and know your options.

3. Rely On Your Planner or Coordinator

Most likely you hired a wedding planner or coordinator for this very reason - the unexpected!! If you haven’t hired a planner or coordinator now is the time. While this is new territory and most vendors (planners and photographers and all the rest) are still developing policies for a situation like this, planners are used to working in crisis/ unexpected situations. They will be able to walk through your questions and concerns, get information for you, help create back up plans, and more. They are your go to people and this is literally what they are here for!

If you don’t have a planner or coordinator, be sure to communicate with your vendors. (as mentioned above)

4. Communicate With Your Guests

Ask sick guests to stay home! Send an email to all who have RSVP-ed with updates and information. Let them know if the event is a go, if you’re waiting for information, when you will have an answer for their questions, etc. Many wedding guests travel, plan far in advance, and more so it is important to let them know what is happening as you know. Also, ask guests to skip the hugs and handshakes and ask them to greet each other and show love with words, actions, and without touching each other. This will help protect not only the bride and groom but also the guests.

5. Opt Out Of The Buffet

If you were planning on a buffet or family style meal (anytime in the next two years) this is probably the right time to change those plans. (again where the planner comes in to play) Why not offer a serviced meal instead? It will help ease any sanitary concerns for your guests and make everybody feel more protected. Another great idea is offering a glove service where staff (servers, bartenders, etc.) are wearing white gloves. It can be both elegant and functional.

7. Shop Locally - Plan B Can Be Fun

If your dress, bridesmaids dresses, favours, or anything really is delayed or won’t make it in time because of COVID-19 shop locally for an alternative. Many local stores carry off the rack bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses, floral options, etc. Most small businesses locally are also offering one-on-one virtual shopping, contactless pick up, and more. When we got married we opted out of favours but found these adorable “thank you” chocolates at a local chocolatier so we just had to grab those for our guests. It may seem like a hassle but it’s really a win-win to shop local for your wedding.

8. Didn’t Plan for Videography or Live Stream? Perhaps Rethink That

If you have elderly guests or those with compromised immune systems who won’t be able to attend how amazing would it be to either live stream your event and/or hire videographers to capture the day in that way so that everyone (whether present that day or not) can be a part of it. There are so many options for live-streaming - from Facebook or instagram live, to paying for a subscription service with a private link and everything in between. As for videography, we work primarily with our friends at Bonsai Creative and would gladly recommend them among many other local videographers to capture your day for you. Why not reach out in case they have last minute availability.

9. Take Precautions And Have Fun

Even though additional precautions are required if your wedding can go ahead be grateful and have fun with it! Offer hand sanitizer or wipes to your guests, embrace the precautions and still celebrate and have fun. Perhaps space out your guests tables or move your ceremony outside, just so that guests have more breathing room. While we are facing a pandemic and that creates a unique challenge when it comes to your wedding, the reality is regardless of that things rarely go fully as planned on wedding days. You’re still getting married. The goal and purpose of the day is still being accomplished. Even if you elope now and celebrate later you still get forever with that special person and that is what is most important! Keeping that perspective will help you have fun, embrace change, and make the most of whatever comes your way.

10. Elope Now, Celebrate Later

Ok, so this is probably something you never considered before - and that’s ok! I have a number of couples opting for this option and I am so excited to get to share in this unique wedding in this way. What better way to roll with the punches, then to do what you have to do to still be married and just celebrate later - it’s like the best of both worlds or making “lemonade” out of the current “lemons” so to speak. I know again it’s not what you imagined, but it can still be special.

Here To Help

This blog post is aimed to help you navigate this strange time when it comes to your wedding. Obviously this information applies most to couples getting married in Ontario, Canada! (as that’s where I’m located) If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to your vendors. I know as a photographer I am more than happy to chat with and help any couples as they navigate these uncertain times.