As the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic sets in and world health organizations continue to encourage social distancing, it can be hard to know how to move forward with wedding planning during this unprecedented time. We’re not pretending that we have all the answers BUT we do want to offer some expert wedding planning advice for navigating this complicated experience. For those who are Recently Engaged First off, Congratulations! This is the moment you’ve been waiting for and it goes without saying that popping the question or being proposed to is one of the most intimate moments you and your partner will experience together. Whether it happened on the couch with no makeup on in the middle of self-quarantine or before this worldwide shut down when we could actually wine and dine at our favourite restaurants (I miss you Cambridge Mill) – your engagement is special because it’s your story and no one else’s. You will never be able to reproduce this moment, so just take some time and soak it all in… stay in this engagement bubble as long as you’re able! The silver lining with this coronavirus and keeping our distances worldwide is that it is forcing us to slow down and take time to just be with our loved ones. Bask in the beauty of the moment. One day you’ll look back and be glad you had this uninterrupted time together. Making the best of covid-19 when wedding planning Where do I even start?
The question was asked, the champagne was popped, the calls to family were made… now what? Don’t let this Coronavirus hijack your planning, there is much to do, and this is the perfect time to get organized! Here are a few items that you and your partner can work on from home during this Coronavirus chaos.
Create a mood board
Start gathering inspiration with your partner, this is the fun part! Create a pinterest account and start pinning styles and themes you both like. Don’t worry about narrowing anything down at this time – if you like it, save it!
Make a list of Must Haves
What are the elements of the day that are of the upmost importance to you? Are you a foodie, is the meal the #1 top priority? Or are you more drawn to the aesthetic of your potential venue? Maybe photo locations or ceremony options are the main highlight. Whatever your preferences, It’s a good idea to get your priorities straight with your partner so when you go into the next phase of your planning you have a good understanding of what questions to focus on to ensure your ‘must have’ list is top of mind and aligning with your potential venue.
Set a budget
Everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to a spending range and it’s hard to know how much everything will cost when you initially get into your planning. Our Consultants are experts at all our Pearle venues and will be able to recommend dates and packages to work with your budget so don’t be afraid to be upfront when it comes to dollars and sense!
Start researching venues
This might seem obvious but its important to pick a venue that is already in line with your preferred aesthetic. Are you looking for a rustic yet elegant barn wedding? Or maybe a more contemporary space with modern touches speaks more to your personality? Whatever your preference, here at Pearle we have 6 inspired venues (Soon to be 7) that match a variety of different styles. How am I going to see these venues with everything closed you ask? Well lucky you, we have created virtual tours for you to see the venues from the comfort of your home. Don’t get dressed up for us, stay in your sweats and let us guide you through our ceremony locations and reception rooms – we are available 7 days a week to help you decide on your perfect backdrop for your special day. Visit our Pearle Weddings and Events website to learn more about the different options and styles you can find at our properties.
Research Vendors
You can go down the rabbit hole on Instagram and Pinterest when it comes to wedding vendors, so how do you know where to start? If you’re looking at specific venues it is a good idea to ask if they have a list of recommended vendors. Here at Pearle we have curated a list with every type of vendor you can think of. After years of building relationships and watching the same familiar faces in our properties weekend after weekend, this list is without a doubt the best of the best; their customer service is unrivaled and they make your planning EASY because they know the ins and outs of our venues.. what more could you ask for?
Pick your wedding party
Although you may not be able to pop your own question to your BFF’s in person, you can come up with some fun and creative ways to ask for them to stand beside you during your special day. Grab some mini bottles of bubbly (LCBO is still an essential business – YAY) and do some porch drop offs. There has never been a better time to organize a video chat and then surprise your crew with some celebratory bubbles and something to look forward to when this whole self-isolation is over… and trust me, we will all be ready to party when this is said and done. Planning a wedding can be a sizeable task without a global pandemic impeding your plans. Remember that this won’t last forever and when these restrictions lift you don’t want to feel like you are scrambling to get plans in place. Take the time to plan and celebrate your recent engagement – the show must go on and one day you will be able to tell your grandchildren how you planned your wedding during this crazy time – oh what a story to tell!
Raylene Laub, Special Event Consultant | Elora Mill Hotel & Spa