Getting Married Later in 2020? 5 Things you can Do for your Wedding while in Quarantine

To all of the couples who are getting married later this year: 

You probably have your venue, your vendor team, and most of the bigger details lined up for your big day.  (If you don’t, that’s ok! I’ll be sharing tips on booking vendors remotely in the coming weeks).  

I know it can feel funny to be thinking about brighter times (especially about your wedding) when life is uncertain right now.  I’ve found that focusing on positive things in the future is a great way to redirect my energy during this time.  

As you are socially distancing and on quarantine, if you have extra free time, here are 5 things you can consider working on for your big day!

1) Invitation Design and Day-of Paper Details - Work with your graphic artist and your planner to finalize concepts for your wedding invitation and day-of paper details.  Don’t have a graphic artist? Do some online research and see if any styles, artists, or things stand out to you. Personalize a draft and save your work!  It may be a little premature to order invitations right now, but having a design ready-to-go is a fun way to look forward. If you save your favorite design, it will be super easy to order them as you get closer to the big day.  

2) Music - Talk about your favorite songs (any special music you like?  Specific preferences for music before the ceremony? Cocktail hour?  Dinner? Dancing?). Do you have a first dance? Father daughter dance?  Mother son dance? What about the song you’re coming down the aisle to? Often, Bands or DJ’s will give you a list you can fill out with your preferences. Doesn’t hurt to get this stuff taken care of while you have extra time at home.  Bonus Points: Practice your first dance in your living room! 

3) Ceremony - Have you decided what order you want everyone to stand in your ceremony?  What the officiate will say? Have you written your vows? So many couples complain to me that they didn’t have ​enough time to really focus on their ceremony.  Well, for so many of us, we’ve been given the gift of time!  Use this time together to create something meaningful for your wedding ceremony.

4) Signature Cocktails - have you chosen your signature cocktails?  If not, get some supplies and try creating some cocktails at home!  Vote and decide which ones are your favorite, and then pass along your notes to your caterer or bar tender to incorporate into your bar menu.

5) Timeline Details - Work with your planner to fill in all the details on your timeline.  Review the timing of the day, and include notes like:

• Who is giving a toast? (we recommend 2-4 people at most) 
• Who is taking the gifts/personal items at the end of the night?
• Does anyone besides the wedding party need to arrive early for photos? Which Family Members need to be in pictures?  ​

Focusing on these details with your significant other can help you focus on brighter times ahead.  None of these items require signed contracts or cash payments, and they can be applicable even if you do need to postpone your event.  

Hang in there, friends, and don’t forget that LOVE ISN’T CANCELLED.

Photos by Natalie Bray Studios