More than 20 million Australians, or about 80% of the population, are currently under a lockdown or COVID-related restrictions as officials deal with COVID-19 flare-ups in practically every state and territory. For example, Sydney, Australia’s most populous city and New South Wales (NSW) capital, began a two-week lockdown over the weekend.
We at Designa are always keeping an eye on the effects of coronavirus on the Australian wedding and events industry.
The most common concern we’ve heard from couples and wedding providers alike during this trying period is how to throw an event that keeps up with the current government regulations and standards for organizing a COVID-Safe wedding in Australia – a Wedding and Event Covid Free.
The most important piece of advice is to have your ceremony in a “COVID-19 secure environment.” What exactly does this imply? The laws state that you should minimise face-to-face seating, limit the number of guests in an enclosed location, proper ventilation, use protective screens and facial coverings, and close non-essential social places to reduce your risks of spreading the virus. Here’s the list of how to Make Your Wedding and Event Covid Free!
1. Hold an Outdoor Ceremony
The additional ventilation and space will minimise the risk of transmission of the virus.
Several incidences of virus transmission in indoor environments and air-conditioned rooms have been documented in the past. As a result, if at all possible, you should hold your wedding outside. The physical separation will be easy for attendees at an outside wedding site. Furthermore, an outdoor location allows for improved air circulation, reducing the possibility of viral transmission.
It is recommended that you have your wedding as a seated supper rather than a standing party. The dangers of persons travelling in significant numbers are increased by a standing party.
Your dream of having a wedding while adjusting to new habits can still come true. The pandemic will not hinder your dream wedding if you follow the health rules and continue to safeguard each other.
2. Socially Distant Seating Arrangements
Wedding seating arrangements were always unpleasant, especially if you were seated at a table with seven strangers. Smaller tables and the idea of seating guests in pods will take the lead, replacing banquet style tables that seat eight to ten people or more extended tables that seat up to 20, and they’ll affect the arrangement of how the reception is set up.
Putting people at smaller tables allows attendees to sit with people they already know and want to be seated. It also provides for long-term social isolation, which isn’t going away anytime soon.
So that there isn’t too much time to mill around, invite people to arrive ahead of time. It may appear harsh, but it is necessary for their safety.
As soon as your guests arrive, request that they take their seats as quickly as possible and assign ceremonial seating.
3. Family and Close Friends Only
Before the pandemic, the usual guest list was roughly 150 persons. However, because many couples were forced to adapt to the epidemic and choose smaller groups of guests to attend, many chose elopements and mini-marriages to reduce their guest lists.
Couples will continue to include numerous mini-guest lists into their wedding preparations, similar to the trend of smaller, more private ceremonies with mid-size celebrations later on.
Perhaps for the ceremony, one guest list will consist solely of immediate relatives, while another (approximately 50-75 people) will work for the future reception. As per the latest regulation, outdoor seated weddings are limited to 50% capacity.
4. Encourage The use of Face Masks and Hand Sanitizers Help you Make Your Wedding and Event Covid Free
Face masks should ideally be required in this situation. However, the two-meter social distance rule is recommended with preventive measures like face masks, frequent hand washing, and widely available hand sanitizer, which can be reduced to one meter.
Guests will comply with your requests, but it’s better if you make things as simple as possible for them. For example, disposable masks should be placed on seats if they forget; hand sanitizer should be placed at the end of each aisle so people may use it when they enter and when they go; signs should be placed softly reminding them of the social distancing laws.
5. Keep the Ceremony as Short as Possible
The guidelines state that the ceremony should be concluded in the shortest possible time and that only the contract sections that make the marriage legal should be included. Religious weddings, which typically last a few hours or days, should be drastically reduced.
This does not imply an indoor-outdoor wedding with a short “I do” in the middle. You can still include small details that bring individuality and meaning to your day but try to keep it to a minimum if possible.
6. Frequent Hand Sanitising
The guidelines state that hands should be cleansed before and after ring exchange. As few individuals as possible should handle the rings. We encourage you to wash and sanitize your hands before walking down the aisle.
How to Throw a Covid Friendly Event Using Designa?
One of the coolest features of Designa is the capability you can see your event instantly before your big day. Using smart machine learning, you can easily change and adjust your floor plan, seating arrangements, decors, and many more following the minimum health standards for Covid safety.
Designa also lets you talk to various suppliers and venues all in one platform!
Read more articles on our Blog Designa Studio for your event preparation!