The wedding industry was hit hard by the restrictions created in the wake of COVID-19. Though the virus is no longer the threat that it was when it first appeared, the ramifications of lockdowns and new business regulations caused countless people to cancel or postpone their events for a long time. Whether you wanted to get hitched years ago or you’re just now crossing that bridge with your partner, it can be useful to gain a little perspective on what has and hasn’t changed when it comes to planning a wedding. 

The world is slowly sliding back into a version of normal that looks somewhat like what life used to. Still, understanding which precautions to take with your wedding can help you throw an event that makes everyone feel comfortable and safe.

The Preliminary Steps

While many of the changes that took place in recent years caused untold obstacles for business owners and consumers alike, a few of the adjustments have resulted in positive outcomes. This is especially the case when it comes to mailing out save-the-date notes to guests. Since electronic communication skyrocketed over the last few years, most couples got used to keeping guests informed about wedding plans via the internet.

Instead of wasting time and money on creating a round of mailers before the invites, consider sending out a digital announcement. Plenty of websites offer resources for couples looking to streamline the save-the-date experience. Whether you send an email or add a page to your wedding website, you’ll find this method requires little effort, energy, and expense. 

The Big Decisions

Small weddings were on the rise from the moment the novel coronavirus started moving through the general population. As large gatherings came with the threat of possibly falling ill, most people decided to either have their ceremonies on video chat services like Zoom or cut down on their guest lists significantly. Though plenty of couples are still pushing for more intimate gatherings, recent polls suggest that the idea of the big wedding is returning. If you want to bring all of your closest friends and family together for a celebration, you can generally do so without fear of breaking local regulations. 

The Vendors

Though all businesses suffered due to COVID-19 in some capacity, it was predominantly smaller companies that felt the impact in a significant way. People all over the world responded to this in helpful ways, making initiatives to shop local and bolster communities. One of the easiest ways people have been able to accomplish this is with their weddings. If you want to support a business that has been struggling, all you need to do is hire the professionals to take care of a part of your wedding. Whether you need caterers, a florist, or a photographer, consider searching locally. 

It is important to note, however, that you still need to book your vendors in advance. Though brands are struggling, most are taking on any clients that they are able to. In some cases, caterers could be booked months in advance.

The Dream Wedding Experience

According to polls, destination weddings before 2020 were incredibly common. When the ability for people to travel internationally started to fluctuate and then became outright impossible, this number dropped dramatically. Now that global vaccinations are moving in a way that allows countries to alleviate restrictions, it is entirely possible for you and your partner to tie the knot wherever you’d like. Though you should always remain mindful of warnings and advisories, the major concerns related to catching or spreading the coronavirus have diminished to a point where travel has become manageable once more. 

While planning a wedding in recent years was more complicated for couples than they’d have hoped, the future is looking much brighter. As long as you pay attention to what is and is not currently allowed, you will have no trouble putting together the event you have been dreaming of.