While your wedding is a period of ecstasy, joy and fulfillment for you, we understand that certain inevitable circumstances such as Covid-19 may prove to be an obstacle. A wedding is the most critical turn in an individual's life, a special occasion that one has had dreams of for years.  You may have plans of spending it with those who matter, and we want to help you while you do that.
Therefore, we present this article specifically dedicated to all you folks who are getting ready for their momentous day and fear that the pandemic may hinder your dream wedding. You don't have to put an end to your ambitions; however, you need to take a few precautions, and we, as your helpful wedding guides, will be of assistance in this regard. Let's get started!

1. No-touch policies:

We realize that on your special day, you will be emotional. However, this policy is particularly crucial—no-touch policies include handshakes, hugs and kisses. You never know who may have been infected because the symptoms associated with the virus take several days before they become noticeable. It is, therefore, best to refrain from any physical contact.

1. Sanitization and Masks to the rescue:

At every entrance and exit station of the wedding hall, there should be sanitizers. No guest should be allowed inside the wedding hall unless they have correctly sanitized their hands and are wearing masks.
We know that a mask does smudge the lipstick, but we have to be cautious, right? Remember! Prevention is always better than treatment, and we don't want you to get infected at any cost! There is no rulebook as to the ways one can look glamorous while prioritizing their safety.
Be it maxi dresses or shimmery gowns, anything will look good; however, safety procedures are of immense significance in the pandemic. (Hint: You could mention these safety protocols on your wedding card before sending them to your close ones) That way, they have no chance of forgetting to wear masks on your extra-special day.

1. Safe seating:

During a wedding, everyone will sit down, chatter, eat, and drink. It is of paramount importance that while your guests engage in this, they do so from afar. Tell your wedding planners to set chairs 6 feet apart from one another.
That way, no opportunity for anyone to get infected and complain later on. Instead, your efforts in having conducted your wedding in such a smooth, thoughtful way will be appreciated by people. Safety first, and after that comes the fun guys!

1. Digitalize:

Had we been in the Flintstones' era (yes, we love that show), we may have been woeful and teary-eyed for not spending our memorable day with our loved ones. Thankfully, social media comes to save us. You can live stream your wedding instead of asking everyone to attend it physically to ensure their safety.
Virtual events have become mainstream during the pandemic anyway, so why not take advantage of this opportunity. Send your loved ones their wedding invitations, and ask them to keep their WIFI connections, food, and drinks ready for your day.

1. Showcase those skills:

It wouldn’t be a wedding without your wedding stylist. However, during the pandemic, you may need to rethink that option – if you're good at make-up – then this is your time to unleash your inner James Charles. Practice the make-up look you want to go with on your wedding beforehand, and blow everyone's mind away with the impeccable way you style yourself.
From make-up to fancy hairstyles, you can do anything with just enough practice. Doing this will eliminate any outsider's physical contact with you and diminish your chances of getting infected.

1. Embrace the outdoors:

Rather than opting to plan an indoor wedding, why not think about an outdoor one instead? Imagine you with your life partner in an open area, surrounded by nature and greenery all around you. The birds are chirping their way through the light blue colored sky with strokes of yellow sunlit clouds here and there. That would be a breathtaking sight to behold and be a significant step towards your new experience as a married couple.
Conclusion:
Following a pandemic, precautions do not mean you have to compromise on all the arrangements you had in mind for your wedding. It means that you have to exercise caution and deliberation in your wedding planning. You have to prioritize safety and health above all.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been far-reaching. People from all walks of life have had to confront the pandemic and the changes it wrought, and many of those changes could have some staying power.

Wedding industry experts note that one of the more noticeable and potentially long-lasting effects of the pandemic has been the rise of microweddings. The 2020 Real Weddings Study (COVID-19 Edition) found that 58 percent of couples who planned to get married in 2020 ended up reducing their guest list by a significant percentage. The average reduction was 41 percent, and some suspect small ceremonies may be the new normal in the years ahead.

Microweddings

Microweddings are not necessarily a new trend, as couples have always had the option of getting married with only a small number of family and friends in attendance. However, microweddings could be an emerging trend, and cost may have a lot to do with that. The Wedding Planner Institute notes that microweddings cost anywhere from $1,600 to $10,000, though the group notes that most microweddings fall somewhere in the middle of that range. A 2020 survey from TD Ameritrade found that 47 percent of respondents felt that cost of living was the biggest threat to their financial security and long-term investments. Engaged couples confronting the well-documented post-pandemic increase in cost of living, including an unprecedented rise in housing costs, could see expensive weddings as luxuries they simply can't afford. Microweddings could be viewed as a cost-effective way to combat the rising cost of living that still allows couples to share their big day with their closest friends and family members.

The WPI has urged wedding planners to offer microwedding packages in an effort to capitalize on this emerging trend. Data from The Wedding Report indicated that the total number of weddings would rise to 2.77 million in 2021, an increase of roughly 650,000 over the yearly average. Even if only a fraction of couples who tie the knot in 2022 opt for a microwedding, a preexisting microwedding package can help wedding planners secure their business. Couples who opt for microweddings may do so to save money, but also to avoid the effort and save the time required to plan more lavish affairs. Such couples may be especially excited to work with wedding planners who can plan their weddings regardless of how small the affair may be.

What goes into a microwedding

Nothing should be off the table when planning a microwedding. The fewer the people who will be there, the more freedom planners and couples may have. The WPI notes that microweddings afford planners and couples the chance to get personal in ways that may not be possible when organizing larger affairs. Planners can focus on small details and allow couples to make their ceremonies and receptions as personal as they would like. Couples who prefer microweddings tend to emphasize minimalism, so keeping things simple is something to keep in mind when planning microweddings.

Microweddings are an emerging trend that make for a realistic option for couples and the people they hire to help them plan their big day. ​

No two weddings are the same. Some couples go to great lengths to personalize their weddings, while others make a few minor tweaks to traditional components to make ceremonies and receptions more reflective of their style and the sentiments they hope to convey.

Embracing modern trends is one way couples have looked to set their weddings apart from traditional ceremonies. There are no rules governing weddings, and that affords couples certain freedoms as they seek to incorporate a modern sensibility into the festivities. For example, couples can modernize certain components of their weddings while remaining loyal to more traditional elements, or they can fully embrace a modern aesthetic. That choice of how modern to make a wedding is up to the couple tying the knot, but the following are some ways to give weddings a modern touch.

· Leave a small carbon footprint. Eco-conscious couples can embrace an environmentalist ethos when planning their weddings by doing everything they can to eliminate waste and promote conservation. Send electronic invitations and save-the-date cards in lieu of paper alternatives and choose a reception venue that serves only locally sourced food and beverages. In lieu of wedding favors, which tend to be individually wrapped, make a donation in guests' names to a local environmental group and share that information with loved ones. When picking a hotel for guests, find lodging that incorporates sustainability into its day-to-day operations.

· Retire certain traditions. Couples need not feel pressured to incorporate traditions that no longer reflect modern sensibilities. It's up to couples to determine which traditions to retire, but customs like the garter toss and bouquet toss may no longer resonate with modern couples or their guests. In addition, brides who want to be walked down the aisle by both of their parents, as opposed to just their father, should not hesitate to do so.

· Look for a modern venue. One of the most awe-inspiring ways to give a wedding a modern touch is to choose a venue that reflects a modern aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows can create a clean, modern feel. Outdoor ceremonies also can create a modern ambiance.

· Adjust your attire. Black tuxedos and white wedding dresses are among the first things to come to mind when imagining traditional weddings. Couples can stay formal but embrace a more modern look by choosing more colorful tuxes for grooms and groomsmen and picking a wedding gown with a flair of color. Brides also can allow bridesmaids to pick their own bridesmaid dresses to expand the modern look even further.

Couples who want to find the best photographer for their wedding day can ask several questions before making their final decision. 

Various components combine to make weddings beautiful and memorable. Couples rely on photographers to capture the smiles and moments that helped make their events unique and to ensure the big day is remembered for years to come.

The trusted wedding resource The Knot notes that an internal study found that, among 27,000 couples who got married in 2021, an average of $2,400 was spent on a wedding photographer to document their big day.

Couples who want to find the best photographer for their wedding day can ask several questions before making their final decision.

What style do you specialize in?
Photographers may be able to shoot various styles of photos, but may specialize in a specific type. For example, some photographers specialize in photojournalism, while others may excel at portraiture. Going with a photographer who has the most expertise shooting the style you prefer will help produce the desired results.

Who will be shooting my wedding?
Certain photography studios have several photographers working under one roof. Just because you meet with one does not necessarily mean that photographer will be on site, unless it is specified in the contract.

Have you ever worked at my venue before?
Photographers may be familiar with several local wedding venues and houses of worship. A photographer who has experience working in the locations where couples will tie the knot and subsequently celebrate might produce the best results, but lack of experience with particular venues need not exclude other professionals.
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Can we see a full gallery of a recent wedding?
According to Brides magazine, unlike an album or a highlight gallery, a full gallery provides a better sense of a photographer's style and attention to detail.
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Will photos be color balanced and retouched?
Skilled photographers are capable of capturing winning photos. But photos can be enhanced further in the studio with retouching software to bring out specific effects. Some photographers will polish all proofs, while others only will work on the images ultimately ordered. Confirm retouching details before signing the contract.

What's included in the photo packages?
A detailed price list helps you compare one photographer to another and decide which elements are covered. Additional prints, having a photographer's assistant, ordering albums for the parents, or ordering a large framed print can alter costs significantly. Explore all prices to ensure you're getting the best value. In addition, consider how many hours of event coverage are included in the price.

What is the payment timeline?
Photographers may accept deposits for their services but expect a different timeline of payment. Some may require payment in full before the wedding, while others may offer a payment plan that includes a final payment when picking up proofs or albums.
Wedding photography is one of the essential elements of a wedding and helps tell the story of couples' special day.
​Asking key questions can help couples find a photographer who will produce the desired results.