How Do You Host a Safe Event During a Pandemic?

 
 

It’s nearly 2021 and as we look forward to next year’s weddings and events, it’s essential that we focus on health and safety as we move forward with grace and integrity as wedding professionals. It may mean a slightly smaller wedding than we’d planned, but a “small wedding” can still be fabulous.

Remember, the 4 Pillars to Celebrate Safe:

  • Health & Hygiene

  • Service Styles

  • Layout & Flow

  • Social Distancing

Guests, vendors & attendees need to:

  • Familiarize yourself with symptoms & understand the risks of COVID-19.

  • Communicate & coordinate safety guidelines with vendors & attendees prior to event.

  • Keep lists of attendees on file (similar to lodging and restaurant guidelines).

  • Stay home if you’re not well. Do Not attend a wedding or event if you are sick.

 
 
 

Here Are 3 Things to Know About 2021 Weddings:

#1. We’re still in the midst of a pandemic and that means things are unpredictable and ever-changing. While we ALL want to be optimistic that “things will look different”, it’s wise to plan to follow the same/similar guidelines to our 2020 Wedding & Event Safety Standards which include:

  • All employees, vendors, clients and guests should plan to wear a mask while in the presence of others. This means during the ceremony and reception–including on the dance floor.

  • Outdoor events are safest. (Note: your rain plan should also comply with indoor venue requirements. For example, if you’re permitted to have 150 guests outdoors, but need to move indoors due to inclement weather where the maximum capacity of the venue is 75, you will not be able to bring all of your guests inside.)

  • Limit the number of guests to allow for proper social distancing during the ceremony and reception. This year, the limit was 75 indoors and I’d personally plan for no more than 75 guests in 2021–adjust guest lists to include your “big list” and your “smaller list”.

  • Follow all Vermont mandates including cross-state travel requirements and guidelines on testing and quarantine. If you and your guests will be traveling, there will presumably be restrictions to comply with so plan accordingly.

#2. Communication is key! Guests cannot comply with safety guidelines if they don’t know what they are! It’s incumbent upon hosts to inform guests so they can choose to comply or opt-out.

Hosting an event requires an acknowledgement & acceptance of responsibility.

Hosts should accept responsibility to see to it that their attendees/guests will assume their respective responsibility for the health and safety of others in attendance including vendors and their respective staff.  Those responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to adhering to venue capacity limits and cross-state travel requirements set forth by the Governor’s Be Smart, Stay Safe Order, maintaining social distancing requirements, proper use of face coverings, proper ventilation for indoor spaces, and overall health and hygiene at the event.

A safety card should be part of the invitation suite to keep people informed like the sample card above by Christa Alexandra Designs.

#3. Work with vendors you trust to ensure a successful experience for all!

As a vendor I care about the healthy, safety and comfort of my clients and their guests, as well as my fellow Vermont wedding vendors.

I pledge to follow all safety guidelines as set forth by the State of Vermont and also to go above and beyond these requirements if necessary to protect myself, my employees or our local community members.

Note: If wedding and event vendors deem a situation as an unsafe situation for them and their staff (such as guests or other service providers not respecting social distancing and face covering requirements, and other health and safety guidelines) they may have to suspend services indefinitely if contractual responsibilities for health and safety are not being met. 

Stay informed to stay safe! Find more info and resources HERE from Ehmann Events.

xo. -Alison

 
 
Alison Ellis