Your wedding and Coronavirus : A resourceful guide (UPDATED: May 13th, 2021)

For you and other couples looking for guidance about your Minnesota wedding during the coronavirus crisis (or anywhere really!), I made this with the information I have learned and with the confidence that we can all get past this and go back to dancing and celebrating with our loved ones!

Are weddings allowed in Minnesota?

Here is some  guidance on how your event is affected by the current restrictions in Minnesota.

(Original texts and previous updates removed)

Official Minnesota Updates on 5/13/2021

•  People in Minnesota are no longer required to wear a mask in all settings. Please check rules in individual cities and private businesses. As of the writing of this article Minneapolis still has a mask mandate in place. All people who have not been vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering
• The Department of Health is reviewing and will provide updates in the coming days.

MINNESOTA REOPEN WEDDINGS TIMELINE 

• Effective May 7, all outdoor businesses are no longer subject to occupancy limits or distancing requirements. Outdoors, face coverings for patrons are required only in venues with more than 500 people in attendance. The mandatory closing time has been eliminated. Tables can be 10 people starting at 12 pm. Distancing and capacity still apply.
• Starting May 28, businesses will no longer be subject to occupancy limits, distancing or other sector-specific requirements such as only serving food when seated, including indoor events and gatherings and need follow only the  Universal Guidance and face covering requirements.

• July 1st or before: Mask Mandate ends, takes place once 70% age 16 years of older get at least one dose of vaccine. Remaining face covering mandates and requirements for preparedness plans ends. Local jurisdictions , cities or business may set their own policies.
• For other states, please check on current orders and capacity restrictions of your state, as well as  CDC recommendations for canceling events of any size with COVID-19 cases in your community.

• Source: Safe Events
• Sour  Executive Order 21-23

Health and Safety Protocols for your wedding

If you are considering keeping the wedding as planned , I suggest creating a safety and health “protocol” for your event as well as a backup plan.

• Safety Worldwide Follow CDC guidelines for public gatherings and local government orders for social distancing and events
• Minnesota guidance on how to stay safe on social gathering.
• Stay home Tell your guests to stay home if they have any symptoms or have been in contact with someone that has symptoms
• Hand Sanitation If you can’t provide additional hand washing stations , alcohol-based hand sanitizers can work in a pinch. Setting a hand sanitizer station for indoor and outdoor events is recommended
• Face Masks  Provide guests them with cloth/ disposable masks so they can use them
• Supplies Make sure you or your venue can provide plenty of soap, water, hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol, paper towels, tissues, and no-touch trash cans.
• Signage An information and cute sign including reminders for Handwashing, covering sneezes and keeping your mask on will help everyone remember to stay safe

If you are planning your 2022 wedding or just starting to plan

Now is a good time to have a planner to help. 2022 wedding dates are being booked  like crazy and consultations are crazy too 🙂

 Try to stay positive and follow good news. It’s an exciting thing to get married to your best friend! Think of the music you will want to play and dream on what your ceremony vows will be!

Personal update

If you are one of my current couples, and have questions we haven’t talked about yet, reach out anytime and I will help you navigate your current situation and share in detail my action plan.  I am fully vaccinating and taking precautions as well, just excited about the events and sessions I have on my calendar.

I cannot wait to see you and your loved ones soon ! 

Feel free to email me or reach out if there is anything else I can do to help!

Resources to have:

– CDC recommendations for events

– The State of Minnnesota COVID-19 Website

– Resources by Minnesota Events Coallition 

– MN announcements and orders

– The White House nationwide federal guidelines

– The Minnesota Department of Health’s website.

– The City of Minneapolis Coronavirus Website

– The World Health Organization’s Coronavirus Website

More useful links for Weddings impacted by the CoronaVirus – COVID-19

Minnesota Facebook Support Group for Covid Couples

Covid 19 and Wedding Postponements

Laura Alpizar Photography recommends all to adhere to CDC regulations and guidelines put in place by local and national governments!