20 May A Social Distancing Guide to Planning Your Perfect Day
Let’s face it, 2020 has thrown us a few curveballs. Really, it’s one large curveball — better known as a global pandemic — and for newlyweds-to-be, it presents as a rather large obstacle. As physical distancing measures remain in effect and timelines remain uncertain, couples with an impending wedding day, or those who recently got engaged, might find themselves wondering… where do we go from here? How exactly does one go about planning their big way while remaining socially distanced, and with a date that could be subject to change?
The good news is that this is simply uncharted territory for most — if not all — of us. And while our global circumstances require no shortage of patience and silver-lining reminders, this pandemic doesn’t mean your wedding planning has to be stunted. Like all things in life, this too shall pass, and the day you say ‘I Do’ will still arrive before you know it. All the grandeur you imagined will still be waiting for you at the end of the isle; and we are here to help you pave the way (as seamlessly as possible, of course).
1. Take Care of Yourself (and Your Relationship), First
First and foremost, we can’t stress this enough: put yourself, and your relationship, first. These are truly unprecedented times, and there are no set guidelines for how to cope during this time. Everyone will feel affected by this pandemic differently and, now perhaps more than ever before, it is so important to put your well-being first. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a stress-inducing cocktail of wedding planning, pandemic headlines, and cabin fever — give yourself space to feel those emotions and process them on your own terms/timeline. Don’t be afraid to take some extra time for yourself, whether you use it to read, indulge in some R&R, schedule an at home date-night, or binge-watch the latest Netflix original.
More importantly, don’t get too caught up in making everything ‘perfect’ right now. Wedding planning requires attention to detail and meticulous planning, sure, but that doesn’t mean you should put too much pressure on yourself and your significant other — especially right now. Take your time, enjoy the process and, wherever you need it, ask for help from your planner, your venue, or your loved ones.
2. Get Inspired
Fortunately for newly-engaged couples in quarantine, we have no shortage of time on our hands right now. Why not use it to get inspired? Now is the perfect time to take to Pinterest, Instagram and wedding magazines to put together the ultimate wedding vision board. And while we’re on the topic… what better time to tackle some wedding DIY projects you might not have otherwise had time for?
3. Bring in the Experts
If it’s within your budget, consider hiring a wedding planner to help alleviate some of the planning pressure you might be feeling, especially right now. Planners are the pro’s, after all, and they have unparalleled access to all the tips, tools and resources you need to plan the perfect day. They can also help to confirm vendors, arrange and facilitate (virtual) appointments, or schedule those appointments which will resume after quarantine ends.
4. Virtual Venue Tours
Eager to lock-down the perfect venue? Since physical walk-throughs are currently off the table, many venues are offering virtual tours via FaceTime or Skype. Speak with your coordinator, and see if you can arrange a virtual viewing during which you can ask questions and address any concerns.
This also represents a great time to iron out any final details of your wedding that don’t require physical appointments, including your guest list, seating chart, menu, linen choices, and more. Pro tip: Write out your ultimate ‘Wedding To-Do List” and, together, determine what tasks you can easily check off the list while in quarantine.
5. Find the Perfect Wedding Day Glam
Speaking of inspiration, brides can also take some time to try out wedding ‘looks’ on their own. Sure, you likely have a team in place to handle all things beauty on your day, but why not find some looks you love and try them out yourself to see what you can create. Trying ideas out on your own will help ensure you have a clear idea of what you want on your wedding day, and can better communicate that vision to your make-up artists and stylist.
6. Write Your Vows
Summing up how you feel about the love of your life is no small task, so why not start that process now? After all, your wedding day will be here before you know it.