5 Positive Changes to Weddings That Have Come Out of the Pandemic

By Shayna Seid

According to the American Marriage Ministries COVID-19 Fall 2020 Wedding Officiant survey report, most of the country has a medium concern for their health at weddings, and 46% of officiants will not be traveling to another state next year to lead ceremonies out of concern for the virus. There have truly been a lot of changes to what weddings look like this past year, but we want to highlight those positive shifts that have come into view because of the pandemic. We talked to a handful of trusted vendors, who are in the midst of planning and rescheduling as we speak, to share what positive progressions they’ve seen take hold for weddings. Here are five refocuses on nuptials that have surfaced because of the pandemic:

Photo: Courtesy of Spencer Llyod Blake

A Tried and True Union

Going to weddings when it’s safe, means the couple has made it through a tough time and had to adapt with seemingly flying colors as a unit—something unusual but strangely comforting. “Many couples are using the stress and uncertainty of wedding planning during this pandemic as an opportunity to strengthen their relationship,” Kinship Collaborative founder Elizabeth Wellington says. “This uniquely stressful process can ultimately strengthen the bond for those couples who successfully navigate it because they’ve become resilient together. My engaged clients who choose this path are entering marriage more connected than they may have been if they were engaged during ‘normal’ life!”

Photo: Courtesy of Zofia & Co.

The Focus is on the the Couple and Their Marriage

As we’ve heard from more and more brides getting married over the past few months, they’ve all repeatedly said how the postponing and micro-wedding process has made them all focus on the love and the importance of the union with their partner, and that shouldn’t change. “One of the positives that has come out of Covid-19 is being able to focus on the true meaning of your ceremony and celebration without all the fluff,” Posh Parties founder Heather Lowenthal says. “Whether it is keeping your guest count small with your closest family and friends or making sure each moment has a personalized touch, this extra time has given brides a reason to focus and find meaning in what will make their wedding special to them.”

And with that, wedding parties may get smaller for some couples. “The fussiness surrounding oodles of bridesmaids and groomsmen will start to feel unnecessary when priorities are arranged post-COVID,” Brooke Avishay of Orange Blossom Special Events says. “I consider this to be a positive change because the focus will be realigned on the couple and the incredible commitment they’re making to each other—and not about the needs of bridesmaids and groomsmen.”

Photo: Courtesy of Wild Sky Events

Dramatic and Thoughtful Ceremony Spaces

Circular or semi-circular arrangements for ceremonies have been popular, but in the future months, they may be more prevalent. “Smaller more intimate gatherings will be what to expect in early 2021, but this doesn’t mean your wedding can’t look spectacular,” Wild Sky Events founder Kate Goddard says. “I see dramatic ceremony designs being quite popular, as this is one area we know won’t be impacted by changing service rules.”

Fewer Guests Means More Decor Budget

With fewer people to feed and provide drinks for, couples will possibly see their decor budgets growing and making room for those design visions that might’ve been cut before—”like specialty flatware or glassware, menus or programs, or custom calligraphy place cards at every seat, instead of just the head table,” Blissfully Styled Events owner Karen Sieger suggests. “Reducing your guest count will also reduce your table counts, so florals can be redistributed to other areas, like enhancing the ceremony space or altar, beefing up your centerpieces and sweetheart table, or adding extra candles and florals in your cocktail area. Also, you might consider upgrading all linens.”

Photo: Courtesy of Brett Hickman

More Planning Time to Make it Unique To You

If you’ve postponed your wedding for a later date, or you just got engaged and picked a date in 2022, you have more time to curate your celebration, so it’s a true reflection of you and your partner. “Cast aside what might be typical wedding traditions, and do what YOU really, truly want for your wedding,” Colette’s Catering and Events creative director Sarah Kuhlberg says. “Explore bright colors, beautiful seasonal menus, and wine flown in from your favorite winery. Book an unique outdoor venue, mix and match your linen pattern choices, check out custom-built backdrops from local artists, look into neon signage. Now you have the time to really customize!”

Weddings might look different in the future, but the outpouring of love remains!