How to Word Your Wedding Invitations During The COVID-19 Pandemic
In this crazy, ever-changing time, it might feel stressful to send your wedding invitations when you don’t know what the future holds. What do you do if things change (because inevitably they will)? How do you navigate a landscape where obstacles are constantly cropping up in? Here are a few ways to master your COVID wedding invitation messaging during this crazy time.
Keeping things clear, adding details when available, and offering alternatives are the most important parts of your invitation messaging. Each of these helps paint a clear picture for your wedding guests of what to expect. You aren’t a fortune teller, but there are things you can do to clarify and simplify your plans. First things first: come up with your Plan B, C, D and so on.
Having a contingency plan is so important. Mask and gathering mandates can happen at any time, leaving people to shorten their guest list and make new arrangements. Being ready for something like this, whether it happens or doesn’t, is key to minimizing stress and maximizing your plans. Even if things aren’t exactly the way you thought they might be, you were ready for the change, and truly, that’s the hardest part.
Here are some examples of plans you can move to if there are governmental changes or health and safety concerns:
1. Moving to an entirely virtual event with just you and your partner, postponing the party until a later date.
2. Moving to a family only or a close family and friends event with the rest of your guest list watching via live stream. Postponing the reception until a later date or downsizing it.
3. Selecting the allowed number of guests to be physically present, and making others virtual. Postponing the reception party until a later date or downsizing it.
Now for some examples on how to communicate these types of COVID wedding messages to your guests. Let’s say your state is eyeing a mask mandate and gathering limitation of 50, and your wedding guest list is sitting at 125 right now. You create a plan B that would have your ceremony with just close family and friends, and wait for another time to throw a reception party. Your wording, whether it be on the actual invitation or in an insert, could be:
While we plan to have you all in attendance at this time, due to the changing nature of the pandemic and the potential for executive orders that limit guests, plans could change. We ask that you bear with us during this time! If anything changes, we will be sending you all a link to join us via a wedding live stream, while we celebrate with a few close family and friends that can be in attendance. We thank you for coming alongside us on this journey and hope we can celebrate soon!
Another example: you, out of concern for the health of family and friends, decide to do an entirely virtual event. You’ve already sent out invitations and aren’t sure how to rescind your plans. Sending out another invitation, worded as so, could say:
Change of plans!
After much consideration, we’ve decided that the best thing for our health and safety, as well as that of our guests, is to have a fully virtual wedding ceremony. We will miss you all, but know we appreciate you and would love to have you join in to watch our wedding live stream. The date and time have not changed, but in lieu of physical attendance, you will join us through the link provided below. If you have any questions about the changes, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are so thankful for each and every one of you!
These examples are truly one size fits all! If you have a different plan, you can delete the underlined section and add in your information. Here at LoveStream, we know how stressful this time is, and aim to simplify the process as much as possible. With our easy-to-use, easy-to-join wedding streaming platform, you and your guests will find that virtual weddings are as easy as 1,2,3. Check out our live stream packages to see how LoveStream can help you during this ever-changing season!
Photo Credit: The Beaufort Hotel