While for some it was the worst, 2020 was probably the best year for Jarred and Emmily. They are true examples that love conquers all. Even a pandemic couldn't stop these two from a beautiful courtship. They were separated by 300 miles + 6ft socially distanced. Some might be intimidated by planning a covid wedding, but Jarred and Emmily had a confident outlook from the start. In this post you'll see my 5 covid wedding tips alongside their long distance love story.
Covid wedding tip #1: the guest list
Plan on keeping your guest list on the smaller side. Many venues have capacity restrictions so check with them before sending out those invitations. That means you'll have to really consider who has made the biggest impact in your life. Don't feel obligated to invite your mom's neighbor down the street because she got a wedding invitation to her daughter's wedding. #noguilt Focus on family and close friendships.
While this may seem like a negative aspect, you'll be able to enjoy your day much more with those you love most surrounding you. When asked what their favorite part of the wedding day was, here's what Jarred and Emmily had to say about this:
"It was great to have family with us. It wasn't a big production with people we didn't know. It was just our family."
Also, less people = less food (saving extra monies to spend elsewhere in your wedding budget...like your photographer *wink*wink*)
Covid wedding tip #2: food
With the current restrictions in Salt Lake County (and most other counties across the states), there are strict food handling guidelines. With a buffet line, guests were invitied to tell the servers which foods they wanted put on their plates. This included filling up drinks. Plan on either hiring a catering company to assist with serving your guests or like Jarred and Emmily did, ask your family members to help. Once everyone was through the food line and the bride + groom had eaten they even hopped behind the table and started dishing out food. I loved this for many reasons. It showed how selfless these two love birds are and proved that Emmily is an awesome mother. Always thinking of others!
Covid wedding tip #3: make it glam
If we must wear masks, make it as fabulous as possible...really lean into it. Emmily's sequined mask glitter and dazzled with the natural light of the Azeala event venue. Your entire bridal party could be decked out in matching masks. When guests arrive, have a table with masks available if they didn't bring their own.
Wanna know how Jarred and Emmily met?
Mutual the dating app.
Wanna know about their best date? (They had been talking long distance so while this was technically their first in real life date, they already knew so much about each other.)
"We drove to the top of Farmington Canyon in Jarred's truck. We blew up an inflatable mattress in the bed of the truck and sat and talked til late while we watched the fourth of July fireworks across the valleys. We talked about anything and everything and that was the night we both knew this was a forever thing."
Covid wedding tip #4: keep it clean
Make sure to offer multiple hand sanitizing stations throughout your venue. Guests will have the opportunity to wipe off the germs wherever they are...especially at the beginning of the buffet line.
Covid wedding tip #5: provide for socially distance guests
There are ways to help family and friends who live far away or didn't quite make the in-person guest list (don't tell them that!) feel included in the festivities. Set up a live feed of your ceremony and portions of your reception like the toasts, cake cutting or even the whole thing. Make sure to take time to pop onto the call and thank your socially distanced guests for "coming".
When I asked the couple what the best part of their wedding day, this is what Emmily and Jarred had to say,
Emmily: "I loved helping my girls get ready and helping them with their dresses and lipstick. I loved the excitement and the fun of decorating and I loved that our families were there to share that moment with us. It wasn't exactly what we had planned and there were a couple hiccups in the day, but it was exactly what we wanted - it was a joyful day surrounded by as much family as possible."
Jarred: "Watching her walk down the aisle. And it was nice to have the time before to get ready and it was fun to have Zach getting ready in the grooms room with me and to have that time together. And it was great to have family with us. It wasn't a big production with people we didn't know. It was just our family."
Vendor information
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Sweetheart Bridal in Provo. Allure.
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Kay Jewelers
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Kristin @ SalonFX in Kaysville
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Men's Wearhouse
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DSW
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Kay Jewelers
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