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!
The coronavirus is disrupting many weddings, showers, parties, engagements, everything! With many guests traveling, couples have been trying to decide if they should postpone or cancel.
Most of us, venues and vendors, are being flexible to reschedule ! Try to think of rescheduling rather than a complete cancellation to avoid losing out on deposits .
Many couples have decided to have a smaller ceremony, leaving the big reception for a later date. Others are rescheduling to the following year, or simplifying their wedding to have it be safe for everyone (including streaming video of the event!)
Here is some guidance on how your event is affected by the current restrictions in Minnesota.
(Original texts for 2020 removed)
Small Weddings receptions or celebrations in Minnesota are limited to 10 people from two households inside. Wedding ceremonies are allowed only are 50% Capacity of the venue (expanded below)
Wedding ceremonies are governed by the guidance on places of worship unless it is happening in a non-church setting, in which case it would need to follow guidelines for that type of venue.
These ceremonies are allowed under these restrictions: Attendees keep 6 ft distance, max of 50% capacity for INDOOR venues and for both Indoor and OUTDOOR wedding venues it cannot exceed 250 individuals. Face Masks are strongly encouraged. All guests must leave right after ceremony.
Weddings at Private Residencies can’t involve people from different households starting November 21st.
Source: Safe Events MN
Face covering in all indoor businesses and public indoor spaces is required in Minnesota as of July 25, 2020. This includes indoor event venues and indoor spaces of combined indoor/outdoor venues . This extends to include any private rental of indoor venue space, regardless of the private vs. public nature of the event.
Masks are supposed to be worn while inside when not seated at a table and moving around an indoor space. Masks are not required if outdoors, but social distancing must be followed.
Dancing at weddings is strongly discouraged currently on pause as receptions aren’t allowed.
If you include dancing as a part of your event
▪ Everyone must wear face coverings while dancing at the event.
▪ Limit the number of people on the dance floor to allow for 6 feet of distance between people from different households at all times.
▪ If these requirements are not being followed, vendors are responsible for stopping the dancing portion.
Updated guidelines have been released about photography, specially for group photos. Standing close together is a high-risk activity, even when it is a shorter period of time. Large group photos are discouraged and group photos should be taken outside if possible. With the coming colder months, the following guidelines will need to be kept in mind by photographers and videographers for group photos.
For group photos consider these guidelines:
For weddings in the first months of winter of 2021, we recommend to talking about a backup plan with your venue especially if your wedding is over 25 guests and Indoors.
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.
With all the information “on the table”, you can look at all the options you have and you can decide whether to move forward or not. If any of these are worrying you both, my recommendation is to make a backup plan IN CASE you have to postpone your wedding.
When thinking about your wedding and the coronavirus, is very important to have a plan in place. If your wedding is after June you might still be able to have your wedding – even then, create a backup plan! Here are a few ideas in no particular order:
Even for small weddings or if you postpone your date consider the importance of photographing these moments. Many venues and photographers like me offer Small Wedding Photography Packages .
Here are ways to keep your wedding date and make sure to involve everyone in someway
As vendors, and friends, we understand the heartbreak it is to consider rescheduling in any scenario! I recommend you consult with your venue (or venues) as they will assessed how these restrictions affect them particularly already, as well as having a plan!
First of all, I know this isn’t easy! I know how much effort and money goes into planning a wedding! In an effort to be helpful I put together these steps from what I have learned – A few of my couples were impacted in the early days of the pandemic and neither of us knew what to do .
If you choose to have a smaller ceremony and need to have fewer guests, you will want to let your guests your event is not happening as planned and you are having to do a small ceremony instead. People will understand as everyone is informed about the COVID-19 crisis.
You can make your small wedding ceremony special by recording a video to play at your reception later or even streaming it to your guests! Read all about streaming your wedding here.
Is no secret that weddings involve a lot of money and that rescheduling will probably mean you will have some financial burdens to think about, for this reason, I expanded my rescheduling policy to make it more flexible for all of my couples. If couples choose to postpone their wedding because of COVID-19, I have requested them to share with me the alternate dates provided to them by their venue so that we can find a date that is mutually convenient for as many vendors as possible to avoid any rescheduling fees.
At the moment, the cases of Coronavirus are increasing and there is so much uncertainty about when will all be back to normal. If you are rescheduling right now I would suggest to book in later fall 2021 or choose a date in 2022.
Now is a good time to have a planner to help. 2021 wedding dates are still being booked and consultations are being held online. Virtual expos are happening too !
If you are currently planning for 2021, it’s a good idea to book the most important vendors such as venue and photographer. Wait on things like flowers, caterer, makeup until we have more information and clear vision of the situation. Be sure to read contracts and ask about rescheduling policies, specially for a Pandemic case.
Specially for Winter 2021 and Spring 2021, consider having a smaller gathering and opting for an outdoor venue, as well as having backup plans.
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!
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 can assure you that I’ll do whatever I can to help and make your event happen! I am taking precautions and staying healthy for the time being, being flexible and proactive about the events and sessions I have on my calendar.
I hope you find this helpful !
Feel free to email me or reach out if there is anything else I can do to help!
If your wedding is affected by COVID-19, here are some resources that you may find helpful!
– CDC recommendations for events
– Minnesota and other states have Stay at home Orders
– Resources by Minnesota Events Coallition
– The White House nationwide federal guidelines
– The Minnesota Department of Health’s website.
– The City of Minneapolis Coronavirus Website
– The State of Minnnesota COVID-19 Website
– The Minnesota Department of Health Website
– The World Health Organization’s Coronavirus Website
Minnesota Facebook Support Group for Covid Couples
How to Postpone Your Wedding Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic by TheKnot.com
A Guide to Postponing Your Wedding by Ruffled Blog
The Coronavirus and your wedding by The Budget Savvy Bride
Should You consider postponing your wedding due to COVID-19 by Style Me Pretty
What you need to know about coronavirus and your wedding by Martha Steward weddings
Top questions about coronavirus right now by Brides.com
Postponing your wedding: A step by step guide by Budget Savvy Bride
Coronavirus wedding planning: Advice on postponing and canceling via Equally Wed
The 12 Best Change the Date Cards to Send If Your Wedding is Postponed on Brides.com
Laura Alpizar Photography recommends all to adhere to CDC regulations and guidelines put in place by local and national governments!
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I grew up in the tropical lands of Costa Rica, where I met the love of my life, and we started our lives in Minneapolis after years of long distance! Together we have the most spunky little one.
My photos are all about the genuine smiles, the connection between people and the LOVE!
I grew up in the tropical lands of Costa Rica, where I met the love of my life, and we started our lives in Minneapolis after years of long distance! Together we have the most spunky little one.
My photos are all about the genuine smiles, the connection between people and the LOVE!
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