What are they waiting for? 11 Questions Your Guests May Have Before Committing to Attending Your Wedding Celebration
Way back in the day…you know, back in March 2020, the questions your guests would ask themselves before marking X-accepts with delight or X-declines with regret were:
1. Are we available?
2. Can we financially commit to: gift for the couple and travel to the wedding?
3. Are children invited to come along?
That’s it! Easy Peasy.
Nowadays there are a few more tipping points on the yes/no scale for your guests. You may want to consider answering these questions IN your invitation, maybe adding a COVID-19 information card to your invitation suite to proactively answer these questions. The last thing you need is 100-200 separate questions regarding COVID before your big day. These are usually not exactly happy or excited questions so the fewer you can get in your inbox the better and brighter your day will be with the ones who decide to join you on your BEST DAY EVER.
1. How many guests are invited/expected?
2. What parts of the day are indoor/outdoor?
3. Will the tables be set with social distancing in mind?
4. Will the ceremony space be set with enough chairs for us to socially distance?
5. Will masks be required at any part of the day?
6. Who will be expected to be in group pictures (where social distancing probably won’t be possible)?
7. Will the vendors be wearing masks indoor/outdoor?
8. What is the rain plan if it is an outdoor initial plan?
9. If transportation is provided to/from a hotel for guests, will there be extra trips to accommodate social distancing?
10. How should guests let you know if they change their minds from yes to no if they become uncomfortable with going for whatever reason?
11. How will guests be notified of any changes to the plan if mandates/anything changes due to COVID?
I know it’s not fun to think about these things but if you don’t answer them, people will probably wait extra long to answer your invitation while wondering. Be honest, of course. If you are having 150 guests inside for your ceremony and masks are optional, say so! And, let people make their own choices. I know it will be hard but try not to judge and be upset with those who choose no. Everyone has their own situations, beliefs and comfort levels and no matter how special the situations is, gathering together with people is just a touchy subject right now. Try to be grateful for those who come and send your love to those who can’t make it.
Planning a wedding has always been considered stressful but lately it has gone from a 6 to a 10 for couples trying to tie the knot. If you are planning on attending a wedding in the near future and you have a question regarding COVID-19, consider asking the Maid of Honor or Best Man instead of the couple. The couple has a lot on their plate right now and I’ll bet the MOH or Best Man can answer your questions just as well or can get the answers you need in a way that won’t upset the couple…they ARE the people closest in the world to them.
And, as always, please let me know if you have any questions. I’m always happy to help in any way I can.
XO - Megan