The new ‘I do’
Bring your own cutlery, wear a mask and don’t kiss the bride. LIZZIE CATT looks at the new ways couples are tying the knot with coronavirus restrictions still in place
PLANNING a wedding is notoriously stressful but for couples due to tie the knot during the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 has been a tale of cancellations, uncertainty and reorganisation on an epic scale as lockdown began and marriage ceremonies were suspended.
Now you can buy wedding postponement cards, original date commemorative wine glasses and even wooden “hug tokens” for the almost-bride and not-quite groom.
However some couples decided to say “I do” in 2020 even if it meant making drastic changes to their dream wedding.
When Boris Johnson said couples would be allowed ceremonies from August 15 for up to 30 people, couples who’d been in limbo for months launched into a frenzy of planning, navigating new regulations and asking whether they should pay £60 for a fancy hand sanitiser bottle to match their wedding theme or if the church had good enough wifi to live-stream the service.
One couple, Cat Grogan and Tom Ferguson, who had been planning a church wedding and country house reception for 120, realised that if they kept to immediate family, the wedding party, partners and a photographer they could go ahead.
“It was like fate,” says Cat, 33. “It meant we didn’t have to have any awkward conversations – if you’re a bridesmaid or groomsman, you’re in!”
So since most of us won’t be on the guest list, what does a post-coronavirus wedding celebration look like?
MICRO WEDDINGS
Simon Daukes, owner of the Ash Barton wedding venue in North Devon, says “micro weddings”, where couples officially marry ahead of delayed celebrations, are in demand. “At Ash Barton, guests usually take over the house for several days, which can’t happen just yet. However, we have arranged several ‘micro weddings’ – intimate, registrar-led ceremonies in the grounds.
“It means couples can still marry on the date they’d planned at their chosen venue and have the big party next year.”
Laura Kettle and Sam Taylor had been planning a church wedding and reception for 100 guests in June, first rescheduling for August and then September before finally postponing until 2021.
They have now arranged a small church wedding in the autumn and a bigger celebration next year.
AIR HUGS AND HAND GEL
Current guidelines stipulate no singing, raised voices or wind instruments and social distancing of two metres between households or one metre if wearing masks. While wedding face masks and commemorative hand gel favours are available, Cat and Tom said it wasn’t for them. “We decided to provide individual bottles and masks, but not the weddingthemed stuff.We want people to feel safe but not to make a big thing of it.We didn’t want a coronavirus-themed wedding.”
STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
In lieu of photogenic wedding venues, brides, grooms and their photographers are heading to local beauty spots after their small ceremony. “Without the set-piece backdrops and with the guidelines around Covid-19, photographers are getting more creative with locations and shots,” says photographer Mark Chivers.
“It may not be a traditional group portrait on the steps of a hotel but a good photographer will capture the joy and excitement of any type of wedding.”
GARDEN PARTY
After the government announced small receptions for no more than 30 were allowed, parties in gardens belonging to friends and
family are becoming a clear theme. Laura and Sam plan to toast their nuptials in his parents’ garden, a short walk from the church, while Tom and Cat will celebrate with a small garden party for their nearest and dearest.
Social-distancing measures include a one-way system and guests bringing their own plates and cutlery. “When you realise the wedding you’ve put so much effort into and imagined isn’t happening, it is really heartbreaking,” says Cat. “It was hard, but I know we’ll really enjoy a small wedding too.”
MINIMOONS
Coronavirus has put the brakes on exotic honeymoons, which was a blow to Tom and Cat who had planned a month in Borneo and Bali. However they found a break in Sorrento on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. “It should be lovely,” says Tom.
Meanwhile Laura and Sam have booked a week in the Lake District, postponing their dream safari until safer times.