This is such a tough question, and event professionals have been searching for these answers for months! The most recent update from the provincial government called “The Path to Recovery” lists three stages that correlate with population immunity. Stage 1 (around 48% immune) states potentially looking forward to larger gatherings allowed, masking and distancing rules remain, isolation rules remain. Our hope is at this stage (potentially modified) wedding receptions will be allowed and this is estimated for end of May. Stage 2 (around 64% immune) lists potentially look forward to no restrictions, fairs/festivals allowed, masking & distancing encouraged but not mandatory, isolation rules remain. We expect modified festivals like Calgary Stampede at this point and less restrictions on other gatherings. This is expected by end of June. Stage 3 is the final stage (around 72% immune) where we will potentially look forward to a full recovery back to normalcy. These stages and timelines are contingent on the Alberta population getting vaccinated so make sure to talk with your family doctor so when you become eligible you can feel educated and comfortable with your choice! The Path to Recovery is something that will be discussed in detail at the end of April, so make your check in point at the beginning of May and always have a plan B (and C) option prepared!
Moments By Madeleine Weddings & Events

In addition to patiently waiting, couples scheduled to be married in Fall 2021 should be doing a couple of things to prepare amidst our current reality:

1. Make multiple guest lists that cover the most likely scenarios for permitted guest counts.
2. Stay in contact with your vendors and be well informed of their contracts and timelines. Ensure you know when the last possible date to make any changes is so you avoid penalty/fees.
3. Plan to implement some safety measures. Some examples include: sanitization stations, assigned seating for reception AND ceremony, safety signage and Covid-19 waivers
4. Send your formal invitations a touch later than ‘normal.’ Send them around the 6 week mark and request RSVP’s quickly. Waiting will give you a better idea of what restrictions may look like for your date instead of guessing and hopefully avoid ‘un-inviting’ guests.

Coco & Ash

Most of my couples for this year are going ahead with their weddings. Things will look different for sure especially if receptions are still not allowed. I feel that a lot of couples are just ready to be married and don’t want to put off their wedding until next year. Many couples are taking advantage of the situation and having the small intimate weddings they always dreamed of having. With not having to spend money feeding a large guest list or the cost of a big venue, couples are able to spend more money on the things that are important to them such as florals, decor, their dream dress, and ideal vendors!
Ash Maclean Photography

Couples who have postponed their 2020 wedding, and currently have an expired marriage license – here’s some good news – you may now get it replaced at no additional cost. If you obtained your marriage license on or after December 11, 2019, up to and including August 13, 2020 you may apply to Vital Statistics for a replacement. One to two months prior to your new wedding date, mail the original marriage license to Vital Statistics (see below). Include your new marriage date, contact information and address where you want it returned. If your expired marriage license does not fall within those aforementioned dates, you will need to visit your local Registry office to reapply to obtain your new Marriage License.

As you recall, to apply for your new marriage license, you and your fiancé must bring your valid ID, have your parents full names and their places of birth. You will also be responsible to pay the fee.Your new marriage license is valid for 3 months from date of issue and you must be married in Alberta. On the day of your wedding, your marriage officiant, you, your new spouse, and two adult witnesses must physically be present at the ceremony to sign the legal documents. Once signed by all parties, your marriage officiant will mail your marriage licence to Vital Statistics in Edmonton to generate your marriage certificate. Allow 2-4 weeks for processing. If you require your marriage license to be processed sooner, ask your marriage officiant to file it directly with the Registry office. You may apply for and obtain your marriage certificate, in most cases, within a week. Please note, Government marriage certificates are not automatically issued, you must apply and obtain through any Alberta Registry once processed.

Mail Expired Licences to:
Vital Statistics
Box 2023
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4W7

Love Speaks

Choosing to postpone your wedding day doesn’t have to be all bad. There are other ways that you can celebrate together as a couple and honour the day that would have been! I have had several couples postpone and what they decided to do instead was have a fun date day together! One couple shared in a romantic couples massage then treated themselves to a dinner at their fav local spot and another hired a company to style an indoor picnic for them to enjoy together an evening of champagne and appetizers! If you are more into the chill vibe, how about grabbing a collection of your fav movies, getting a ton of snacks, maybe your fav drink and having the ultimate Netflix and chill night together! Into adventure? Head to the mountains and spend the day hiking trials and cuddling up by the fire after a day outdoors! Your wedding day although it is about celebration with family and friends, is ultimately about you two committing your lives to one another. So why not hold space for the day to be just that!
Carissa Marie Photography

We all know that many couples have had to endure the pain of postponing their wedding, some even more than once! I think it’s so important for all couples to have a “Plan B” during this time. If your “Plan A” doesn’t work out, your “Plan B” can be just as special! When putting together your backup plan, think about all of the things you love to do together as a couple. Including certain things that you wouldn’t normally include in your “Plan A” wedding day, will create a beautiful experience that is unique to you. For example, if you enjoy spending quality time together in the outdoors, then include this in your backup plan! Whatever you value most as a couple, focus on that. The result will be an incredible, memorable day that reflects exactly who you are and what you love.
Malorie Reiter Photo

At Venue 308 we use the Event Live app (www.eventlive.pro). HOWEVER Nothing replaces professional photography or videographers who are amazing at their craft, can follow your day, and capture moods and shared secret moments (including the faces of your guests during your ceremony, as well as yours). Our feeling is that live streaming is so amazing when restrictions are in place or to ensure that someone who is unable to attend for health or personal reasons and cannot attend at the best of times but it is far from professional in most cases. We think of it as a capture and a hello, across cyber space and that is the limitation to remember. We work well with photographers and production teams that are still there for even 10 people at a ceremony as those are the amazing craftspeople for your day. Live streaming is like inviting another guest to your wedding, as it “sits” in a spot, as if your guests were all there; whereas, professionals move to catch angles and magic and we have never seen such amazing work as during these restricted guest list times! Your photo/video vendors have room to move around and capture light – it is amazing.
Venue 308

Family is great however, here are considerations:
1. A phone microphone has limitations
2. Remember that you want to focus on your wedding and want your guests to as well! This is a once in a lifetime event for you and everyone around you!
3. Microphones catch wind, the “ding” of a text message that comes in, chatter, etc., it is difficult to have someone troubleshoot all this without experience. Doubly it is a big responsibility when things don’t turn out.

Venue 308

Obtaining wedding insurance is a great idea! Most vendors and venues have insurance plans, but they often don’t cover the clients or guests. Things can always get a little sticky when it comes to risk & liability, so definitely something worth investing into.
CNC Event Design

I know your wedding likely looks a lot different than what you had originally planned, but I want you to know that it will still be special. In fact, in my experience photographing weddings during this pandemic, these small unions have held some of the most significant, heartfelt moments that I’ve witnessed. I think many of us never thought we would be in the situation where we can’t plan large events and weddings in the way that we are used to. There has been a perspective shift for all of us during this pandemic, so when the wedding day finally arrives, it already holds such significance because you overcame many obstacles to get to this moment.

It can be hard celebrating your big day without all of your intended guest list, but I had one couple receive notes/letters from all of their guests prior to the wedding day. On the day of the wedding, they carved out a private moment to read these letters together. It was such a meaningful way to feel connected with those guests who couldn’t attend. Another idea would be to have guests pre-record a mini speech and play these pre-recorded video clips during dinner. I’d also suggest getting creative with your partner and start thinking about things you can do vs. what you can’t do. Small weddings allow for you to really plan an experience versus planning an event. Think of things you love and incorporate them into your big day. If you love and are passionate about flowers, then you could potentially have floral favours. Have a table full of fresh cut flowers where guests can create and take home hand tied bouquets. Not only does this make for a beautiful, personalized favour for your guests to enjoy, but it gives them a meaningful experience rooted in something that is special to you. This is just one example, but I know as you take time to think about what is important to you, you will find ways to incorporate these things into your wedding day- making it that much more personalized and special. Sending my love and encouragement to you as you plan, pivot, and persevere for your special day.
Jenny Jean Photography

18-24 months is absolutely not too long for an engagement, especially during a pandemic when couples are looking a year or two ahead and vendors are starting to book up. In non-pandemic times there are a few venues that don’t book more than a year in advance but being engaged longer gives you an opportunity to do your research and be prepared for when those dates open up. A longer engagement also allows you to take the planning at a slower, less stressful, pace.
Emerson & Co

First and foremost, you want to be in touch regarding your vendors schedules, to ensure you can keep your dream vendor team if you need to postpone. Receiving a list of available dates from each vendor will help you narrow down what will be your best options.

Secondly, It’s important to be aware of your vendors policies regarding postponements, so if you have any questions, make sure you reach out to chat about your options! We are here to help guide you with all of this, and make sure you’re not missing any details.

At the end of the day, we are all so eager to make sure your day is still everything you imagined it to be, and want this to be a smooth transition for you. Trust us, we are thinking about your day just as much as you are, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you again soon.
Kadie Hummel Photography

Vendor deadlines for photographers: Inquire and start securing your photographer now! The 2022 inquiries are now rolling in, and with the end of the pandemic starting to be in sight with vaccine rollout, the wedding boom is on its way.
Pam Kriangkum Photography

If you’re very determined to try and get married this year, you can wait as long as you feel comfortable with on a stress level. But we definitely suggest connecting with your vendors especially your planner, venue, photographer and any other particular vendors you really want to work with to find out how what their postponement policy is (the latest date you can decide by, any fees involved, availability for a new date, etc.) and use that to help you decide if and when you should postpone.
Fiore Fine Events

We truly feel for all the couples navigating our reality and we too feel the frustrations. It is important, now more than ever to have a solid and supportive vendor team and there are many planners who have navigated Covid-19 impacts successfully. We highly recommend couples have a planner on their team to assist them in working through these feelings!

If you’re opting to go for a larger celebration you will need to be prepared for restrictions. Depending on what those are at the time of your wedding, some creative solutions we’ve seen be successful for larger weddings are:

1. Outdoor venues- restrictions are less tight, allowing for larger guest counts
2. Larger venues – to account for more tables and social distancing measures
3. Plan your wedding over the entire day or over multiple days. You can host your entire guest count, but at varying times to ensure safety measures are followed – for example half your guests in the morning for brunch and the other half in the evening for dinner OR half your guests on Friday evening and the other half on Saturday evening.

If your date is still months away, our biggest piece of advice is to wait patiently. Restrictions are continuously changing and ‘move forward plans’ are in motion. Know your timelines and try not to stress if you still have time before decision making is required. Lean on your planner, friends and family for advice and ideas for next steps. Be optimistic, but realistic.
Coco & Ash

We definitely support creating a Plan B and Plan C. Due to the nature of the restrictions and the inability to predict the future, it’s always a good idea to entertain what your wedding could look like if you had to make some adjustments. We advise couples to sit down and review their priorities when it comes to their wedding, before making any decisions.
CNC Event Design

WE ARE ON YOUR TEAM. Please please please reach out to your vendors the minute you are thinking of postponing. Retainer payments are non-refundable, and we don’t want to see you move forward without these conversations being had, losing your initial investment. We are here to help you navigate through everything, and want to make sure you still have your dream day with your dream vendors.
Kadie Hummel Photography

Through your wedding website, a mass email or a mailed card, let guests know that your wedding has been postponed and to stay tuned for more information. One of my clients sent a card that said, “We have made the difficult decision to postpone our wedding until the worst of the pandemic is over. We look forward to celebrating with you as soon as possible and will follow up with more information once known.”
Emerson & Co

If you are not able to have a big wedding, opting for an elopement or ‘mini-mony’ is a great way to still share your vows and legally marry. You can have a slow and intentional, romantic day, and save the big celebration for a later date, when restrictions are lifted.
Kaddie Hummel Photography

When sending invitations, our recommendation is to only send them to the guest list that can accommodate the government listed restrictions at the time of invite. You may have to make more adjustments, either by inviting more or sadly uninviting guests closer to the wedding day, but in this case etiquette rules can be broken – because these times are not like any other and it’s outside of your control.

Another very important consideration to keep in mind when planning your guest lists is that a wedding amidst COVID, does not look the same as a wedding pre-COVID. Regardless of guest size, masks, social distancing and many other risk mitigation factors need to be considered and implemented.

Depending on government mandates, all is subject to change with very little notice. Our biggest piece of advice for couples planning for a wedding during this time is to be flexible and comfortable with the unknown.
Sandra Bettina Weddings & Events

We say, yes! In general guests want to attend by live stream or in person and are hungering for in-person interactions. Holidays have been saved up (unintentionally), and people still want to escape the confinements of the city on weekends. Your weekday wedding will be the best thing that has happened in over a year.
Venue 308

It’s really tough not being able to celebrate every wedding tradition the way you had originally envisioned. That doesn’t mean you can’t do it at all. Here’s a couple tips you can pass onto your MOH or MOB to help host your bridal shower:

– Have each guest send in a video sharing a favourite memory or why they love you. Your host can put these together into a compilation to play at your family/cohort only shower.
– Go virtual over zoom, (yes we’re all getting tired of zoom, but stick with us on this one). Send each guest a small package filled with treats, cute game sheets, a pen, a themed straw and a handwritten note. This way your guests can feel like they’re a part of the celebration, snacking on the same treats, sipping from the same cute straw and participating in the games right along with you.

Melissa Dawn Event Designs

One option that is gaining in popularity is live streaming. This allows your friends and family to tune in live to watch your wedding ceremony in real time. This option requires your venue to have good wifi access in order to live stream the event smoothly. Besides live streaming, our company also offers interactive live streaming to allow your guests to speak with you to share messages and to give toasts and for you as a couple to interact back with them. We use two screens and multiple camera angles for this set up. Traditional live streaming isn’t interactive but is still a great option so that your family and friends can be present to watch and listen on your wedding day.

Many videographers can also supply a same day or next day edit which is a rush video that can be shared quickly following the wedding with your guests. You can also just opt for a regular video that will likely be edited within 1-3 months following the wedding and can then be shared following the event later on with family and friends. We provide our clients with a password protected gallery that has links to their videos which can be shared with family and friends.

The important thing is that you will have your wedding day and all of the emotion, preserved in a video that can be shared and re-watched by you and your loved ones for years to come.

Castaño Films

Here’s a tip for doing something in place of a full-on dance – if it’s a smaller gathering, instead of ending the night with a “bang” by opening the dance floor with a full-on dance party, set the mood for a relaxed evening with a night-cap? To extend the night after dinner and speeches, with your smaller group, maybe you move the party from the reception to an outdoor fire and create another level of (socially distanced and safe) intimacy to wind down the evening together. Though if you want to still end things with a bang, maybe after cake cutting and the first dance, you end with some fireworks or something equally fun to send off your guests for the night.
Pam Kriangkum Photography

Absolutely not! Most of us have had to postpone more than a few weddings and have successfully navigated these uncertain times with many other couples already. We are able to take on a lot of the logistics surrounding postponement and the wedding day itself so that you have one less worry. This is an emotional time for 2021 couples, having a planner or coordinator on your team can really ease a lot of anxieties surrounding postponement! Not quite ready to commit to a coordinator or planner with a package? Ask about hourly consult fees after that initial complementary consultation!
Moments by Madeleine Weddings & Events

While I believe you and your partner are the only ones who should make that decision, I sympathize knowing how overwhelming it can feel trying to make it. I would suggest starting by asking yourself what truly is most important to you surrounding this day. Is it impossible to imagine your wedding without all your friends and family there? Or does having an excuse to trim your guest list and celebrate with only those closest to you sound appealing? Is it important to enter into this chapter and start your life together no matter what it looks like? Or do you need to press pause on the planning because keeping up with restrictions is too overwhelming, and the thought of needing to come up with another back-up plan is just too much to handle right now? These are the types of questions I would recommend starting with to see what kind of feelings come up. No matter what you choose, I suggest giving yourself time to sit with your decision for a few days before announcing it to anyone to ensure you feel confident you’re making the right choice for you and your partner.
Deanna Rachel Photography

Yes and yes! Vendors are booking up like crazy for 2021 & 2022! There are many couples who do not want to put their marriage on hold and are booking their vendors right away. I personally am already two thirds booked for Summer 2022. If you know the vendors you want to be a part of your day, don’t wait! lock them down ASAP.
Ash Maclean Photography

What we are seeing from most vendors is that your deposit (aka retainer or booking fee) is fully transferable to a different day, typically within 12 months from the original contracted wedding date. Some vendors, however, are allowing a transfer past the 12 months. Where we are seeing a big difference from wedding pro to wedding pro is the possibility of an additional charge being applied to your original contract amount, especially for 2nd postponements or beyond. These fees are being applied by more wedding professionals as the pandemic continues for a variety of reasons including missed opportunity to book another wedding for that day, the additional administration it requires to hold and transfer your date, and general year to year price increases. If applied, the fee can vary from a fixed amount (we’re seeing $ 200 – $ 1000), a monthly holding fee (averages are $ 50 – $ 200 per month until the wedding day), a percentage amount, or a mix of any of the above.
Sandra Bettina Weddings & Events

Every company is different, but currently at ours, yes! Under normal circumstances this is not possible; however since the start of Covid-19 we have allowed brides to reschedule their bookings for covid related reasons. Recently, in 2021 we did implement a $50 admin fee to cover the extra administrative work required. If the wedding is cancelled all together the deposit can be applied to any event or photoshoot. The deposits do eventually expire and we ensure every bride is aware of their deadline by drafting up a new contract to acknowledge the deposit and how/when it can be used. Make sure you ask your vendor lots of questions and read all paperwork carefully so you are clear on your vendor’s policies.
Bellamore Beauty

Most vendors in the industry require a non-refundable deposit, and while the reason for this may vary by vendor, in the majority of cases it is in place for a couple consistent reasons. With a short wedding season and limited days (most Weddings are on Saturdays) in Canada, the deposit secures your date/booking by assuring the vendor that you are serious about fulfilling the contract as planned so they can confidently turn down other business on that day. In addition and most importantly, it is important to remember the vendor showing up on your wedding day to perform the agreed upon service is typically only part of what you are paying for. For example, in our business we spend a lot of administrative time prior to the actual event on each booking including emails with the client, coordinating our team, managing contracts, payments, and more so the deposit is also in place to ensure we are compensated for this time should the booking not proceed as planned.
BELLAMORE BEAUTY

If you have decided to postpone your wedding, the easiest way to avoid this situation is to be pro-active: before setting a new date in stone, reach out to all of your booked vendors with a range of dates and determine which one they are all available for. Lock in that new date ASAP, ask about any amendments that need to be made to your contracts, and prioritize the vendors you can’t imagine your wedding without. You may even want to consider weekdays for better odds! We don’t want to miss out on celebrating your wedding either, so we are willing to work with you on finding a new date that works for everyone!
But if your new date is the only date for you, and you find that some or most of your vendors are unavailable, I suggest going over your current contracts and asking questions about what can be done next. Your vendors are most likely small businesses with different policies, and some of them may already have outlined terms in their contracts regarding postponements. But it never hurts to ask questions; Perhaps a vendor may be willing to consider your retainer as credit for an event in the future. We are here for you, and being in the industry of love, your happiness is definitely our priority!
Kelsey Vera Photography

Venue Coordinators and Event Coordinators work collaboratively to execute seamless weddings and events on behalf of clients/couples. Together they cover many elements, however they do have individual roles and responsibilities.

The venue coordinator is there to ensure everything runs smoothly on the venue side, which can include the venue staff and catering, setting up tables and chairs and sometimes providing assistance in floor plan development; they can also usually recommend specific local vendors for you to inquire with.

Event Coordinators coordinate everything else! They manage on and off site vendors (think florists, officiants, photographers etc), set up and take down your personalized decor, create and execute day of timelines and of course, coordinate with your venue! An Event Coordinator is someone you hire in addition to your venue to assist you in many organizational logistics. Their role often begins months before your date and without an Event Coordinator you would be left to anything above and beyond what your venue offers. This is most often A LOT, so we recommend hiring a Coordinator so you aren’t left setting up place cards, making sure the flowers are set up the way you want, cuing your bridal party down the aisle and so much more! Hiring a Coordinator allows you and your family to enjoy every moment of your special day.
Coco & Ash

We strongly encourage hiring a wedding planner for 2021 and beyond. Every planner is actively working behind the scenes to be able to offer the best guidance and support for their couples. Whether that be through innovative ideas, keeping up with government restrictions and practicing health and safety, our clients are top of mind! At the end of the day, there is nothing we want more than to see our couples get married!
CNC Event Design

Just because it is a minimony, it doesn’t mean that your day will be any less special or not deserving to be documented on video! This past summer I’ve filmed some of the most intimate backyard weddings and elopements in stunning locations — only to fall deeper in love with the non-traditional approach to weddings. Let me explain:

A minimony will allow for more intimacy to unfold between you and your loved ones so your wedding film will document those in-between, raw moments that are true representation of who you are as a couple.

Some of the couples I’m working with this year are also having a minimony but plan to have a bigger party at later date when it’s safe. A few of my couples told me they will play their wedding film at their future reception for the guests who couldn’t witness their vows in person — what a great idea!

And that, my friend is the power of film: it allows people to experience special moments by not only seeing what it looked like, but also FEEL like they were there in person.

A List Studio

I can only speak for myself – as a solely wedding and events florist, we have certain minimum orders needed to 1. Meet our wholesaler minimum flower orders and 2. Meet the minimum for us to actually profit from the wedding/elopement. Brick and mortar flower shops, or florists who offer daily florals may be able to accommodate orders for just one bouquet since they are bringing in flowers every week and can sell the remaining blooms from an order – this is always my suggestion for those with a smaller budget. For us, it is just not economical to take on wedding orders for a single bouquet. Our minimum orders usually allow for ceremony florals like aisle arrangements or arch installations as well as a bridal bouquet and boutonnière; and our service always includes a custom design board/ colour palette and exclusivity of being the only wedding and elopement we book that day. Every florist has their own minimums based on their own business costs. Keep this in mind when reaching out to wedding florists, many will have their minimum listed on their website or contact form.
Pine for Cedar

Some of your flower selection may need to change depending on the season you choose for your new wedding date. If you originally were getting married in the spring and are postponing to a spring date in 2021 the same flower varieties should be available. If you are switching from spring to fall then you will likely need to change up some of your flowers. For example peonies are only available locally in the spring and early summer and dahlias are a summer and fall flower. Certain flowers have very marked seasons but there are flower varieties that are available year round. Talk with your wedding florist about which blooms may need to be substituted and trust that they will create something beautiful with the flowers that will be in season.
Flowers By Janie

The advantage of having a more intimate wedding is the ability to apply the budget towards one or two large and unique floral decor pieces! Sometimes large weddings are forced to navigate the challenge of spreading a budget out to accommodate several centerpieces, wedding party items and decor pieces. Putting the focus on one or two show-stopping floral pieces, like a hanging installation over the dance floor, or an incredible ceremony piece that doubles as a photo backdrop, can make a small wedding that much more of a memorable and magical experience for both the guests and the wedding party. We recommend identifying what your main priority is for flowers. Do you want fairytale garden romance and a wow factor? An enveloping magical experience? A modern explosion of joy and colour? Once you’ve identified your “floral goal”, go all in!

As a floral vendor, it’s such a treat to have the opportunity to focus on just one or two exceptional pieces. Honing in on what matters most, and putting all our available creative energy and focus into a few special pieces really goes a long way in terms of building something truly unforgettable.

Foxglove Studio

The more time you allow, the more likely we are to supply specific flower varieties. If you are not too fussed on the specific flowers in your bouquet you can place an order with us as late as a week prior to your elopement. If you are able to book earlier than that it is always recommended, as it reduces your stress as well as ours. Your wedding day is important to not only you but to us as well, so advanced notice is always appreciated. It provides us the opportunity to dedicate the time and attention you deserve for your wedding flowers.
Small Flower Floral Studio

During the pandemic it really is best to choose a florist that has a clear understanding of your vision and then you give them the freedom to do what they do best (flower). The supply chain has been impacted during these times and rather than holding on to a specific bloom variety, allow your florist to choose the blooms that fit with the overall vibe and theme of your wedding as well as the colour palette where they are able to maintain the highest quality product to match your estetic. If you are a more relaxed or budget conscious bride we also offer an a la carte option where you tell us the colour palette and price point you are comfortable with and let us take care of all the details.
Small Flower Floral Studio

One thing that has been evident through all the craziness this last year is how understanding people are that things have been forced to unexpectedly change! But, if you decide to move ahead with an elopement that doesn’t involve your wedding party, we would suggest still doing something to have them involved, even at a different time. Perhaps planning to have a photoshoot at a later time where they can wear their attire they purchased for the wedding. Your photographer might be open to splitting the hours from your original package. So maybe you use 5 hours for the elopement day and 3 hours for a shoot at a later date with all of your wedding party and family members.
Fiore Fine Events

A great way to keep your guests up to date is by creating a wedding website. Include the URL on your save-the-dates and invitations, and remind guests to check back often.

For major changes, like a postponement, send out a change-the-date card. This is the best way to make sure everyone receives the new information clearly. And it’s an excuse to play with more beautiful stationery!

If you’re working with a short timeline, consider sending an email to all of your guests. Collect email addresses as you’re collecting mailing addresses, or ask for them on the RSVP card, so that you have them all in one place. Remember to follow up with your less tech-savvy guests with a phone call to make sure they’re in the loop.
Emerson & Co

Our recommendation is to have various guest lists starting with your original and then slowly cutting it down. For example, if you had 150 on your original invite list, narrow it down to 100, then 50, 25, 15 or stop when you are having to sacrifice the attendance of key people in your life. Using something like a spreadsheet is a great and easy way to keep all of those guest lists organized. If you are able to have those guest lists in mind then making decisions come closer to the wedding day will feel easier.
Sandra Bettina Weddings & Events

Send out a reception invitation! This piece will often follow an Elopement Announcement card, especially if there is large date gap between the two. It’s up to you on how elaborate this card is. Some couples want to treat this as an all out invitation with all the embellishments, or you may want to keep it simple and scaled back – it all depends on the feel of the celebration you’d like to portray.

Wording would be along the lines of:
The newlywed couple
Mr & Mrs. {Smith}
invite you to celebrate their marriage
Reception will take place {date}
{time, location, details}

This wording leaves no doubt that you are already married and are wishing to celebrate with your guests.
Plush Invitations

We have encouraged our clients to send Save the Dates to a larger group of guests, we call it the “ideal guest list” – this might include a larger number of guests (greater than 50) as well as out of province and international guests that if they were able to travel would need more time to plan but may not be able to attend if certain restrictions are still in place. In these Save the Dates we recommended our clients to add a “formal invite disclaimer” to advise guests that while you are hopeful to have everyone attend that gathering restrictions may restrict the number of formal invitations that can be sent closer to the wedding date. Short and sweet is great! “We are hopeful to celebrate with all of you in person on our wedding day. Formal invitations will be sent closer to the wedding date when we have a better idea of provincial restrictions!”
Moments by Madeleine Weddings & Events

If you have already sent out formal invitations with RSVP’s and are needing to uninvite guests, just be open and honest! Your guests will be more than understanding, especially this year with constant changes in restrictions being so common for all industries! To ensure guests receive notice, we recommend going the digital route for an uninvitation, this allows you to continue a convenient line of communication for any future information you may need to share with them, such as a live streaming link! Feel free to adjust to your own personal style but here is a starting point for the verbiage on the virtual card! “For the health & safety of our loved ones and to abide by gathering restrictions, we have a change of plans for our wedding. We will be limiting our guest list to an intimate number. Please accept our apologies for not having you with us on the big (small!) day. Join us virtually to celebrate with us on our special day! More details to come on our wedding website.”

Over communication is best! Check if your wedding website allows to turn off RSVP for certain guests, or if they offer a banner at the top to let guests know about changes. No wedding website or the wedding date is coming up quickly? A good old fashioned phone call is also an amazing option, especially for guests who may not be quite as tech savvy!
Moments by Madeleine Weddings & Events

When downsizing your wedding day, remember that first and foremost, the day is about YOU, and your guests know that. Don’t let yourself fall for the lie that you’re hurting or betraying your family and friends if you cut them from the list. Everyone understands the circumstances right now with covid restrictions. If they are truly here for you as a couple entering into marriage, and downsizing is one way you can get married safely sooner, they’ll be happy for you no matter what. Now of course it’s great to still include those that can’t attend the event in person. Along with simply live streaming your wedding, we’ve seen some pretty great extra ways to make your guests feel included:

– Include a first dance for your guests to watch
– Include speeches/toasts from your family for your guests to listen to
– Take some time to sit down and chat with your virtual attendees (rent a big projector screen so you can see everyone clearly)
– Just for fun, make a contest for the ‘best dressed virtual guest’

Lastly, remember what your wedding day is all about: getting married! Focus on that and your day should be great.
Tim + Court Photo and Film

At Bare Beauty we’ve had the opportunity to be a part of quite a few weddings where the bride has chosen to hike on her big day and we LOVE it. Here are our top three tips to keep your makeup looking fresh for a hike:

– Waterproof makeup is a must, we love working with MAC’s Pro Longwear Waterproof formula for foundation. It truly does stay put all day! Invest in a great waterproof mascara as well, our ride or die is the L’Oréal Voluminous Waterproof formula.
– Bring oil blotting sheets on your hike. Once you arrive whip out the sheets and blot the areas of your face where you may have sweat or gotten oily, follow up with a little translucent setting powder on a damp beauty blender and voila!
– Take lots of breaks, if you’re anything like me you want to get to the top of that mountain as fast as possible! Do your best to slow down your pace and take lots of breaks to stop the sweat from getting out of control, and make sure to hydrate lots.
– Bonus tip: find a makeup artist that will hike with you! I’ve had the opportunity to hike with my brides and there’s something to be said about having absolutely ZERO stress about your wedding day styling. You get to enjoy nature with no worries about your hair or makeup looking a hot mess after a long hike! Once you reach your destination sit back and relax while your artist takes care of the rest!
Bare Beauty

Consider additional events such as an engagement party or post-elopement celebration! Just because you’re having an intimate day for your wedding, doesn’t mean you can’t still have a bigger celebration leading up or later on! Whether you want it to look more like a traditional reception or you’d rather have a casual dinner party or a backyard bbq, find a way to celebrate with your loved ones that feels authentic to you.
Nikki Collette Photography

Couples often chose a minimony to honour their original wedding date, for legal reasons or because they just don’t want to wait any longer to say “I Do!”. Having a minimony does not mean you only party at the later date, you can save your personal vows, being escorted down the aisle, your designer gown and special ceremonial traditions for the sequel wedding as well! It is truly about you and your partner and taking that first step into marriage together where are a micro wedding or sequel wedding focuses on the experience with your other loved ones.

Moments by Madeleine Weddings & Events

As a Pandemic Bride myself, and after photographing a number of intimate weddings prior to and during Covid, all I have seen is how extremely special and how fun a smaller gathering can be. Every Bride and Groom have a range of what is important to them when planning their wedding day. However, I’m sure all Brides and Grooms can agree that the most important thing is that they are ready to spend the rest of their lives together, and some don’t want to keep waiting for that to start! By having an intimate wedding day, and sharing such an important moment with the closest people you have in your lives, makes the day feel much more emotional because of your close connection with them. An intimate wedding can also make the moments linger a little bit longer, as wedding days go by so fast!

A smaller wedding can also allow for more flexibility with your original budget weather that can be used for more floral design, a wedding planner, a videographer, or an enhanced experience for your guests! Even though it may be a smaller gathering, you can still plan for a full day, and maybe include some additional time for an amazing photo location / adventure! I personally was able to re-allocate our budget for a seated dinner, more florals, and a Venue I never thought I would have the opportunity to get married at. It became our dream wedding… and it was the best day of our lives. I know yours will be too!
Kaity Body Photography

You definitely still want to send out invitations. Guests will need to know the date, times locations etc. and you still need to know who is coming. We have also seen couples include additional information inset cards with a website to check for updates or a note about plan B.

You will want to set up a sanitization station so a cute sign for that would be helpful. If your venue has a 1 way system, arrow floor decals or signs for this is great! If you are grouping guests by table having a table name or number so they know exactly where they are going is a good idea.

Depending on the venue you may be required to also have place cards so guests are assigned specific seats.

If there are still provincial guidelines, it is nice to have a reminder of them on a large, but pretty designed sign that indicated the rules.

The Social Page Design Studio

My first tip would be to book a bigger get ready space if you can! This way you and your bridal party can enjoy the morning together while keeping safely distanced. Don’t forget to put on an upbeat playlist (2000’s one hit wonders on Spotify – you’re welcome! :P), sing along, laugh and relax – with some extra space between you. I’m a firm believer in making sure there is food or snacks for everyone (it’s a long day!), and whether you’re in charge of the food, or someone else is go for individual packages instead of buffet style. Once your makeup is applied we do recommend limiting mask wearing if you can (however if social distancing isn’t possible then safety is of course the priority!), at least until the photos, but before your makeup is completed encourage everyone to wear masks as much as possible. Make it fun by gifting matching, or customized masks for each bridesmaid. It will make a cute photo and surely inspire stories in the future about that time you got married during a global pandemic! Inevitably if you know social distancing is going to be difficult with your bridal party we think it’s a really good idea to talk to everyone before to understand their comfort levels, and take extra precautions where required. We know absolutely none of this is ideal but keep focused on you and your new hubby/wife, and if the morning with your bridesmaids isn’t what you envisioned, plan a brunch or get together when things are safer and you can enjoy each other’s company without any pre-wedding jitters!
Bellamore Beauty

Communication is key! Restrictions changed multiple times over the course of the last wedding season, so guests who may have attended a wedding last year may assume the rules are the same. Put the guidelines that will be in place up on your wedding website, or even send an email to your guests the week before the wedding to outline the rules based on current provincial restrictions and any guidelines provided by your venue! This is something my team has done for all our clients since the beginning of the pandemic and it has worked wonders for guests to have an idea of guidelines prior to arrival.

For the wedding day we recommend some beautiful signage at the venue entrance with your basic COVID-19 guidelines such as “keeping distance between those outside your cohort” and “sanitize often”. To ensure your guests social distance during the ceremony and reception, utilize assigned seating! You can set the rows of chairs and tables 6ft apart and included a place card tied or placed on each chair or place setting! Add the COVID-19 guidelines to the back of the menu card to remind guests during the reception or have your DJ or Emcee remind guests of what is allowed (and not allowed) to safely celebrate during the reception!

Moments by Madeleine Weddings & Events

We adore a good wedding favour. It’s such a thoughtful way to thank your guests for not only sharing your day with you, but for spending time and money in order to be there for you and your spouse. In our current situation, health and safety are paramount. The key is focus on things that have minimal risk of cross contamination between guests. We suggest having the favours placed on the guests place setting versus one large favour table for everyone to visit.

Here’s a few ideas we really love:
– Individually packaged sugar cookies, branded to your wedding
– Wedding photo thank you cards with handwritten notes (these are always saved in our household), mailed after your wedding
– Mini bottles of vodka/gin/tequila from your signature drinks. (Hint: Add the recipe on a tag and tie them on the bottle so guests can make their own at home)
– Make a donation to your favourite charity in honour of your guests
– Skip the traditional favours and let your guests order fancy coffees & lattes from a mobile coffee bar after dinner is complete.
Melissa Dawn Event Designs

Despite a lot of changes over the past year with regards to how we present food services there are still some great options available which are unique as well as fairly budget conscious.

One of our favourites is offering canapé & small bite selections in lieu of a traditional meal. This style of service is great for a few different reasons with the first being VARIETY. With smaller bites of food our clients have the ability to design a custom menu with a lot of different choices to offer their family and guests. We encourage clients to customize menu items which reflect themselves as a couple in order to share this special part of them and tell a bit of their story. This dining style is also a great way to offer diversity with the food in order to ensure that there is something available for everyone as well as encourages guests to try something new if they’re up for a little adventure! The budget friendly part of this dining style is that we are able to piece together a much more diverse and all encompassing meal at all price points. There is also a lot more flexibility when it comes to how the items are served and presented as well which can help reduce labour costs in most instances.

Food Works

We love when couples come to us with non-traditional wants and needs for their special day. It really allows us to release our creative juices and work with the couple on something completely unique to the both of them. After all, no couple is the same!

When our couples come to us we really like to dig and get to know them as individuals so that we can put together a menu that compliments the both of them.

Our talented and dedicated culinary team thrives on coming up with unique menus that will have guests raving about the event from years to come.

Action stations are one of our favourite service styles to execute. The stations allow us to work with different food items and cultures from around the world. The stations give your guests an amazing one-of-a-kind experience and guests able to interact with the chefs and learn about the foods they are tasting while the stations are open.

Some examples of action stations we have done in the past are: Poplar Bluff Agria Poutine Bar, Mini Forno Fried Pizza Bar, Salt Rock Cured Ceviche Bar, Oysters + Pearls Bar, Pan Seared Gnocchi Bar, Binchotan Charcoal Grilled Satay Bar and many more!
Fork & Farm

Absolutely a 1 tier cake can still be picture-worthy! We can work together to design a small cake that fits into your wedding style and makes a big impact. Whether its a rustic buttercream finish with fresh flowers, a fondant finish with intricate piped details, or somewhere in between. We can play with the height of the tier to create something dramatic and tall, while still being a single tier with limited servings. Or, we can look into small 2 tier designs. The smallest 2 tier we offer at Bake My Day serves 15-18ppl, so it’s perfect for a small wedding, while still having the extra special look of a tiered cake.

The pandemic has forced the whole wedding industry to get creative for ways to help couples celebrate their big day, bakeries are no exception to this! Smaller cakes have become more and more popular, with cupcakes or mini desserts to serve a limited number of guests. Or, we’ve done a few weddings that have opted for mini cakes designed to match the bride+groom’s cake, so everyone gets their own special treat. We can also explore false tiers if your dream cake is 3+ tiers, but you only need the servings from one tier. There’s so many ways to make sure your big day is still so special, even if it doesn’t look as you originally planned.
Bake My Day

These days, opting for individual desserts is definitely worth considering! A great option is beautifully designed cupcakes or mini cakes for the guests. Both options minimize the handling of the dessert and provide a lovely way for your guests to have a piece of the “wedding” cake. In our experience, the individually packaged cupcakes have been a great hit. With the boxes being clear all the way through, you have the perfect canvas to exhibit a pretty design, unique to your theme!

Another lovely option would be cakesicles (chocolate covered cake). These cakesicles are a fun and unique way to provide desserts that compliment your wedding theme and style!
Yvonne's Delightful Cakes