• PLANNING GUIDES
  • DIY IDEAS
  • FASHION
  • BEAUTY
  • LIFESTYLE & EVENTS
  • ALL POSTS

How to Plan a Wedding | Wedding Planning Tips | DIY Guides

  • GRAB YOUR FREE WEDDING PLANNING KIT
Themes

Indoor Wedding During a Pandemic. Part 2: Reception.

Share this guide and spread good vibes! xo

Celebrations and COVID-19. Planning and Indoor Wedding During a Pandemic. In this new world of social distancing and fully vaccinated passports, add on extra safety measures for guests and loved ones, weddings nowadays can get trickier to plan. Health and safety (testing and vaccines) are now a big discussion. Some will even question if attending or planning a wedding during these times is a risk. Of course, as it is safe to do so, during a pandemic, weddings can (and will still!) happen.

  1. Seating Plan is a must!
  2. Food Safety
  3. Floor Plan + Dance Floor
  4. Fun activities and games
  5. Entertainment
  6. Exit + Conclusion

This site contains affiliate links. For more info, please see our full disclosure.

As promised, we will also share some tips on how you can keep yourself and your guests’ pandemic cautious if you’re planning to host an in-person indoor wedding ceremony during a pandemic.

For the second part, we listed some important reminders and things to consider for your reception.

** IMPORTANT NOTE: Check with your local government and public health officials about any guidelines, protocols, policies, and/or regulations that you need to meet if you will be holding an event. **

Indoor Wedding During a Pandemic. Part 2: Reception.

1. Seating Plan is a must!

Even if you’re hosting an indoor wedding during a pandemic for less than 50 people, a STRATEGIC seat plan is a MAJOR MUST. Providing a seating chart will allow your guests to know their assignments, so there is less chance of them roaming around. You could also have family members living in the same household seat together, which is the ideal set-up.

You can have a “pandemic welcome bag” by the door (before they enter the venue), including a mask, sanitizer, and face shield. To help your guests set themselves up for a safer wedding space as they walk in.

There are customized masks that you can purchase, wherein you can incorporate your logo or color theme.

HOW TO MAKE A WEDDING SEATING CHART

It is recommended that you keep the tables 6 feet apart with a maximum of 6 guests per table. Your venue coordinator will be imposing the guidelines to comply with the government laws and public health official guidelines; please work closely to ensure that you safely execute this event.

SAFETY PROTOCOL EXTRA TIP: With your guests and yourself wearing masks and practicing social distancing, you can also rent stanchions together with signs to ensure physical distancing is practiced. To take things further for extra safety, you can also rent clear dividers (you can also decorate them!) to put in between tables.

Another option is to provide clear face shields that they can still wear, should they need to take the mask off to eat and/or drink. Adding extra preventative measures is always a good idea, especially at an indoor wedding during a pandemic.

2. Food Safety

If you’re planning to serve food buffet style, make sure that you choose a caterer that strictly enforces proper protocols when serving food, especially during the time of COVID.

A safer way to go would be for food to be served plated, especially for an indoor wedding during a pandemic.

You can also set up food stations that can be pandemic friendly. We have a couple of ideas with some pandemic safety tips that you can check out: Cocktail Sandwich Station, Cookie Dessert Bar, Food Stations Ideas, and Sangria Bar.

3. Floor Plan + Dance Floor

If you’re planning to set up a dance floor, you can skip the one big dance floor (because it would be difficult to have fun and keep social distance, right?) and instead assign personal dance spaces for your guests.

You can make custom floor decals that you can place strategically beside each table for the guests to use as their designated “table dance area.”

If your indoor wedding during a pandemic guest, will need to fall in line when they head to the buffet table; make sure that you have marks (stanchions and ushers for crowd control!) that will tell them where to stand and keep a safe 6-foot distance from each other especially at an indoor wedding during a pandemic.

You can also place signs pointing to where the exits and entrances (also washrooms!) are and remind guests to follow safety protocols. (This is something you will need to double-check with your local health professionals, and also, you must abide by your local government by-laws and mandates.)

Although we do not recommend buffet-style serving, if it is a petite wedding where most people live in the same household or have already been in each other’s household, it might be acceptable. However, the lowest contact probability is with a plated meal.

4. Fun activities and games

Yes, it may be an indoor wedding during a pandemic. Still, while you may have to forego some of the usual wedding activities to maintain social distancing (e.g., traditional bouquet toss), you can coordinate with your host or DJ about other fun activities you can do during the reception.

Activities that guests can participate in while they are in their designated seating area, like this Stand-Up, Sit Down game. You can also play Name that Song.

You can have prizes like a wine bottle (those $10-15 ones are ok as give-away prizes!). Something easy to clean/wipe down and sanitize!

5. Entertainment

Don’t forget to entertain! With a more distanced and spread-out floor plan at an indoor wedding during a pandemic, there isn’t enough mingling, and one way to keep the guests “active” and not “bored” is to have music/band.

A DJ can be placed up on a stage and a duo band where people can still see the performance, even at an indoor wedding during a pandemic.

Remember that you might want to consider having coverage, like wedding insurance, to give you extra peace of mind if you are serving alcohol.

6. Exit + Conclusion

If you have a DJ/emcee/host, you can provide him with the exits’ schedule. Meaning, he can announce that in 30 minutes, they will be concluding the event, and the exits are scheduled per table. Or you can also use this time to throw in a final speech/thank you.

When the 30-minute mark hits, the DJ/emcee/host can start calling out tables and giving them about 15-20 minutes (depending on how many per table!) to prepare and to walk out.

To make this process a little less awkward, a “gifting station” by the exit can be set up so that they can take things with them actually get up and walk to it. This station can have an “attendant” that will replenish the “gifts” every time a table leaves.

The gifts don’t have to be elaborate; these can be small boxes of macarons, a care package with soap and lotion with custom stickers/logo, and even a slice of your wedding cake in a to-go box! Lots of options for this one!

I know this is unconventional, but if you only have 1-2 doors where guests enter and exit, it will be too crowded, and there is a possibility of people not being able to practice social distancing. At that point, crowd control will be much harder to execute.

Including all these details on your wedding stationery or through signs on the table will help your guests with what they will be expecting at your event; remember, this will still be an indoor wedding during a pandemic.

If you opt-out of hiring a wedding planner or coordinator but need an extra server, set-up help, and/or bartender, there are staffing companies like Staff Shop, where you can hire help directly and not worry about other things needed to be executed on the day of the event.

Remember not to underestimate the work and hours needed, as well as things that are still to be done on the day of your wedding, even if you have everything planned already. 

POST WEDDING TO-DO LIST

Although your wedding may be slightly different from what we’re used to, it also makes it extra special and memorable for you and your guests. That’s because you chose to celebrate your union and share it with your loved ones despite all the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

DISCLAIMER: We’ve rounded up suggestions that are pandemic friendly. However, please note that it is still your responsibility to practice safety protocols, Covid-19 event guidelines, and constant hygiene. If need be, consult your local public health professional and abide by your government mandates. We do not guarantee that your event will be 100% safe, as all safety practices are ultimately up to you and your guests.

These recommendations are based on what the government and public health officials have mandated. These mandates can change accordingly and quite quickly. It is your wedding, and you are the only person that knows what’s best for you.

There you have it! Indoor Wedding During a Pandemic. Part 2: Reception.

Share this guide and spread good vibes! xo

RELATED GUIDES

Themes

Champagne and Neutral Wedding Inspirations

Themes

Evening Outdoor Wedding: Do’s and Don’ts...

Guides

“Something Blue” Ideas For Your Wedding

Design

Halloween Table Decor Ideas: DIY

Social Events

DIY Thanksgiving Centerpieces: Top 20 Step-by-step Guid...

Themes

Red and Gold Wedding Inspirations


THE EVENT CONSULTANTS, creatives & authors

With a combined team experience of over 11 years in wedding & event planning, as well as being featured in notable publications both in Canada & the United States, we’ve curated these guides and planning resources together with fellow industry experts to help make your wedding & social event planning manageable, enjoyable & fun.

At the core, our goal is to inspire everyone to celebrate life & love! Good vibes always! xo

* get to know Maria & the WPR team


LOOKING FOR SOMETHING SPECIFIC? Search your topic here:

Previous Indoor Wedding During a Pandemic. PART 1: Ceremony.
Next Classy Fake Flower Arrangements: How to make it less tacky

Primary Sidebar

Access guides on the go!

Spotify

Apple Podcast

Google Podcast

Youtube

PO Box 91156, Bayview Village M2K 2Y6
wpr@peppermintandco.ca

Contact | Advertise | Careers

Affiliate Disclosure
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

Guides | Advice from the Experts
Social Events | Fashion
Q & A

In light of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, we recommend consulting your local public health professional to ensure that your wedding/event plans comply with restrictions, health and safety protocols and government-mandated by-laws during pandemic times.

Copyright © 2022 How to Plan a Wedding | Wedding Planning Tips | DIY Guides
  • PLANNING GUIDES
  • DIY IDEAS
  • FASHION
  • BEAUTY
  • LIFESTYLE & EVENTS
  • ALL POSTS
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT