Jessica and Andrew had initially planned on holding a small yet, memorable wedding attended by family and close friends. Pre-Covid, their 100 person guest list would have been considered “intimate” but as the world shifted to micro, socially distanced gatherings, the couple knew they had to adjust their plan to not only abide by the restrictions but also ensure that all of their now 50 guests felt safe.

“Everyone who had received our Save The Dates (pre-pandemic) were more than understanding if they were un-invited and those that were on the list felt that much more special! Some even had a sense of relief and admitted that they weren't sure if they were going to attend even if invited. This pandemic is so personal with comfort levels - so always keep that top of mind with every single guest.”

The couple kept an open dialogue with those still invited, so guests could decide closer to their wedding date if they no longer felt comfortable attending in person. Ultimately, Jessica and Andrew didn’t want anyone to feel guilty about changing their minds and guests who couldn’t celebrate in person joined virtually for a Zoom ceremony. While it still wasn’t the same as being there physically, it gave those guests a second option.

Jessica’s Advice:

Flexibility

Flexibility and creativity with your vision - choose the top three things that are MUST-HAVES and revisit the priority of everything else. Rank them and list their prices. Ask yourself - what will be most memorable for us and the guests? It is truly not every little detail - and this coming from a type-A planner even shocked me. It's about the togetherness and memories in a time when there is minimal togetherness. AKA any event feels like a fancy extravaganza!

Outdoor Options

If you can be outside for some or all of the event - DO IT. We moved our entire wedding outdoors after grand plans of a combo indoor/outdoor event at Anne's Washington Inn in Saratoga. Originally, the outdoor tent piece was simply the evening dance party zone. We had no intentions of having a full-on tent wedding, but we knew if we moved it outside, we'd be traveling down the safer event route. This helps with the comfort level of not only your guests but vendors and staff alike. Let's be real, it's a strange space for folks to attend an event during a pandemic. Think about how you feel when now entering a store or restaurant, less people and more space makes you feel good... and if you are comfortably outside socializing? Win, right? Well think of your wedding in the same way - think about how you want people to feel.

Small Parties Are All The Rage

Long story short, this is where the magic happened. Because we had 50 people, we could actually chit chat and enjoy the company of ALL OUR GUESTS. Yes, that's right. Ever see a bride/groom running around at their own wedding trying to check in with everyone and unsure where the entire reception went? Unfair right? It almost seems silly to me now that big weddings are so popular because it's exhausting for the guests of honor, and the guests barely see the bride/groom! The quality of conversations with guests was off the charts and felt more like a backyard event than a wedding. And not only did we have a blast and a relaxing time, but our guests were blown away by the experience, were appreciative of the rules to keep things safe, and loved the smaller party and intimate vibe. To this day, we have family and friends thanking us for the most memorable and special wedding event - they felt honored to be on such a shortlist and felt like VIP guests.

With all of the obstacles thrown their way, Jessica and Andrew realized they had to look at their wedding differently. “Otherwise, we would have been chasing a dream that's impossible and the planning would have never ended.” as Jessica put it. “You want to stay away from that type of overwhelming planning stress, and having a do-able plan B was the answer for us.” In the end, the couple took control of their situation and became excited about their wedding again to make it one of the most special and memorable days of their lives together!

Jessica’s Review:

Simply the best! Looking for an event rental company for your wedding? Look no further... Total Events has everything you need with that top-notch feel-good customer service we all need more of these days. Planning a wedding during a pandemic is, well... an adventure. Despite the many changes and obstacles, the Total Events team made planning enjoyable with each creative twist and solution to our ever-changing event. And the event itself? A show stopper. Our vision truly came to life and expectations were exceeded. Each member of the Total Events team had the utmost attention to detail and was friendly and courteous every step of the way. They are true champions of the hospitality industry, and during times like these... shined bright! Which is no easy task when the COVID event world changes far too often. The flexibility and positivity of this team is unlike no other, and I look forward to the day when I can hire them for another special event in the future.