Going through the process of re-arranging our couples’ weddings in 2020 because of COVID-19 showed how every case was different, and every supplier, venue, couple and guest felt differently about attending a wedding.

Here I share how it went, what was put in place and what was learnt from the experience, in the hope that it will help you make your own decision and preparations in 2021.

Firstly, going ahead was not a decision taken lightly by the couple and me. However, we did have a number of things in our favour…

• they and their guests were already in France when UK quarantine measures were announced
• complete exclusivity of the venue and the three days of celebrations were taking place on one site.
• almost all the guests were staying at the venue for the whole duration and had been picked-up and drop-off at the airport by private coach, limiting external contacts.

With just under 60 guests it made it easier to implement COVID protocol and the likelihood of everyone adhering to it also.  Had this event been for 100+ guests, the risks to all involved and being able to deliver it safely, especially if it had to have been indoors, would have made us question the event’s viability.  I would be lying if I said that all guests remained 1-2m apart during every single moment of the event. That said, it certainly seemed that social distancing has become more of a habit and we all found ourselves taking those extra steps back naturally, when necessary.

This behaviour will of course depend on your group, but it is possible to subtly manage as per my suggestions outlined below.

This was perhaps the biggest consideration, and wherever we could, we doubled the space guidelines for every aspect of the event.  For the ceremony, cocktail and dancing we worked to a minimum of 1sqm per person to stand or sit.

Ceremony

We were still able to seat our front row of guests together as they

were from the same family. The rest of the congregation, were well-spaced out and we also made sure we had sufficient room at the front so that the celebrant, couple and any readers could social-distance easily.

Cocktail

We increased the cocktail area by laying out the furniture, food stations and bar further apart than usual, encouraging the guests to spread out more.   We also used extra furniture to fill the space but had less people at each place, for example, a maximum of four guests at any table or seated together.  We used natural boundaries and decoration to define the space, as usual.

Dinner

This is better if it can be done outside, but with the smaller number of guests we had, we had sufficient space to dine inside, ensured the doors were open and the room well-ventilated.
We increased the distance between tables to at least 2m to allow waiting staff and guests to move around more safely.

Bar

We had screens on our bars and set them up in such a way that guests could not access or move around closely behind them.  We used 1m deep tables or bar counters to create distance and asked guests to keep their glasses and return for refills.  On this occasion, due to Covid-19, we also broke the golden rule of not having your bar separate from your dancing. Instead, we used the permanent bar just outside the reception room to only dispense drinks but didn’t have a seating area.

Our caterers had very strict protocols set by the state that we had to sign off in advance.  It’s useful to know that many of these protocols are normally in place, they just don’t have to tell you about it.  New rules included: staff wearing masks during service inside, gel dispensers at food stations, smaller selection of canapés served on each tray, used and clean plates and glassware had to be to stored and handled in completely different areas and by different people, guests were managed by staff to move in one direction at the counter.

This was very much the personal choice of the clients and suppliers (as this was not obligatory in outdoor spaces at that time). Masks were available at all times to purchase at the venue and all my staff and those of suppliers coming into to close contact with other suppliers and guests, wore masks. Those who had limited contact and could manage their distances, had the option.

The band did not wear masks, but again, their area was set up in such a way that they could distance themselves from the dancers by spacing out their equipment.

Gel was provided to all staff to carry on them and gel dispensers were placed on all counters – bar, food stations, etc, in the washrooms and at the entrance to the property and event.  We also made sure to have extra bins around to dispose of masks.

We always provide on-the-day cleaning as an option, but this has never been more relevant.  In this case, the venue had their own cleaning team, but if it hadn’t, I would have had a cleaner to do their usual tasks but also include, as part of the COVID measures, keeping the gel stations topped up, regularly emptying bins, regularly disinfecting tables and counters, collecting up unused glasses promptly and disinfecting furniture between event days.

Have a look at Part 2 which provides some more useful tips for planning a wedding in France during Covid-19.

If you have moved or are planning your wedding in 2021 and are looking for support in how to plan for COVID-19 protocols then get in touch.