10 Wedding Vendors Share Their #1 Tip for Couples Planning a Celebration in 2021

Pandemic wedding planning is not for the faint of heart. We asked the experts to weigh in.

By: Jen Glantz

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Wedding Planning in a Pandemic

Planning a wedding can feel like you just took on a part-time job with an endless to-do list. In a year like 2021, with a pandemic still lingering and wedding plans ever-changing, it can feel even more confusing to figure out what to do for your big day.

To make it easier on you and push some stress off your plate, we chatted with 10 expert wedding vendors and asked their number-one tip for couples planning a wedding in 2021. Say yes to a few of these and putting the pieces of your wedding together this year will feel a whole lot better.

Choose a Dress You Can Wear Again

When shopping for a wedding dress, brides usually want a dress they fall in love with, feel great in and know they’ll be able to dance the night away in. This year, designer Sabina Motasem suggests brides consider another big thing as well - can they wear the dress again?

“Choose a dress and accessories that can be easily transformed to create different bridal looks for multiple events. Consider versatile accessories, like beautiful hair pins and shoe clips which can create looks without costing more and perfect for two different events,” says Motasem. “If you choose a style that can be adapted and styled differently and cleverly, it will save the need to buy several outfits.”

Be Flexible with Your Date

Couples planning a wedding often find themselves attracted to weekend wedding dates, but in a year like 2021, there might be even more perks to picking a weekday instead.

Tara McFarling, director of sales at Surety Hotel, shares that weekends come with peak pricing and couples can save big when they consider other days.

“If couples were to consider Fridays or even holidays, there are definite benefits that affect the wallet, guests, and preferred vendors,” says McFarling. “Friday weddings are becoming more sought after because it cuts down on the stress of a full weekend celebration. Covid-19 forced many to take a step back and enjoy the little things and therefore, getting married on a Friday forces couples and their guests to simply arrive and celebrate.”

Plan the Wedding You Want Now

Oftentimes, when wedding planning kicks off, couples pull ideas for their big day from a “want list” they started to save and create in their head for years - even before they got engaged.

Lana Thompson, a director at Omni Hotels and Resorts, recommends that couples stop worrying about the wedding they think they should have and plan for a wedding they want now.

“We would tell brides to not worry about the wedding they think they should have, but to plan the wedding they want to have now – whether that be a micro-wedding, an intimate ceremony with just them and their partner, a bigger gathering socially distanced outside or whatever it is – things are changing at such a rapid pace in our world so the way we all envision weddings is changing at a rapid pace too,” says Thompson.

Have a Plan B

A lot of unexpected things can happen when planning a wedding, but Suzanne Gagnon, director of sales at Daxton Hotel, recommends that couples in 2021 have a defined Plan B.

“There are still many things we can't predict for 2021, so I would suggest a Plan B. Many brides and grooms love the idea of having a small intimate ceremony with a larger party in 2022, perhaps on their 1st anniversary,” says Gagnon.

Don't Skimp on the Details

Even though weddings in 2021 might look a little bit different than ever before, wedding planner Jenn Tansley recommends to still focus on the details.

“When couples are being forced to downsize, I've seen some consider cutting aspects of the wedding. It might feel that since you can't have it as you always envisioned, these details like table settings or florals don't matter,” says Tansley. “But I would argue that they matter that much more. Use the opportunity to personalize your wedding in ways that might be cost-prohibitive with a bigger crowd. Details such as personalized miniature paintings on each place setting, or a monogrammed shawl draped over each chair back take the wedding from just a downsized affair to something unique and memorable.”

Consider an Outdoor Experience

If you’re looking for a wedding venue that’s more aligned with having a socially distant wedding, Marie Danielle Vil-Young, founder of À Votre Service Events, recommends couples host a tented outdoor affair.

“With outdoor events, there are a lot of moving parts, but with a pandemic still going as we start the 2021 year, tented outdoor events is closer to a certainty that couples can host their events as planned compared to indoor spaces booked,” says Vil-Young.

It's Okay to Make Changes

Making last-minute wedding changes isn’t something couples are excited or eager to hear, but in 2021 it’s something that can happen. Whitney Cox, a wedding planner at Vegas Weddings, tells couples that it’s okay to make compromises and stay flexible this year if they need to.

“We are hearing from so many couples that they had to completely change their wedding plans. Maybe their original venue canceled on them, or they were planning a large gathering, and now it's just not possible,” says Cox. “Couples can always live stream their wedding online, send evites, post pictures online, and find other ways to use technology in order to make their loved ones feel included without them being physically present. We are also hearing from couples that their small elopement felt even more meaningful than the big ceremony they had planned, simply because it was catered to them, and they focused on what was most important, their love for each other. Whatever compromises you make now, you can always make up for with a larger wedding later, or you can simply cherish the ceremony you did have and move forward.”

Remember to Capture the Moment

You might think that cutting back on vendors like photographers and videographers is a good idea if you’re just eloping, but you don’t want to miss out on capturing the moments.

Rachel Jo Silver, founder of LoveStoriesTV, says it’s important to remember that you might want something like a video to share the moment once it’s over.

“We're recommending more strongly than ever that you hire a videographer so you can share your big day with your friends and family during and after the event. A videographer can livestream your ceremony so that loved ones at home can hear and see. A professional videographer has the right audio and camera equipment and expertise to do a proper streaming of the event -- we all know by now that wedding ceremonies over Zoom are pretty hard to see and hear us, of course, you'll also get your professionally produced video which you can share with your guests and treasure yourselves forever,” says Silver.

Provide a New Kind of Favor

If you’re wondering how to continue to make your wedding safe for guests, Mike DeFilippis, wedding filmmaker and photographer at Jennifer Nicole Photography & Films, suggests providing guests one of three different colored wristbands during your event - either red, yellow, or green.

“Guests wearing red wristbands prefer not to interact with others during your event out of safety concerns. Guests wearing yellow wristbands are okay with interaction, as long as it's socially distanced. Guests wearing green wristbands welcome interaction as long as it's done safely,” says DeFilippis. “The wristbands are a great way to help guests feel comfortable attending your celebration.”

Think Outside the Box

Perhaps your original wedding plan just no longer fits what you’d like to do or what’s best for you and your fiance. Meghan Cox, destination wedding planner and owner of Mil Besos, recommends couples consider shifting to an elopement or micro wedding to eliminate the concern of the virus interrupting their large wedding.

“Instead of the 200 guest wedding, what about a two-week getaway filled with exotic beaches, rainforest, plenty of adventure and relaxation? This is a great alternative to keep the day once-in-a-lifetime without the worry of managing guests,” says Cox.

10 Wedding Vendors Share Their #1 Tip for Couples Planning a Celebration in 2021

Related To:

Shop This Look

Wedding Planning in a Pandemic

Choose a Dress You Can Wear Again

Be Flexible with Your Date

Plan the Wedding You Want Now

Have a Plan B

Don't Skimp on the Details

Consider an Outdoor Experience

It's Okay to Make Changes

Remember to Capture the Moment

Provide a New Kind of Favor

Think Outside the Box

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