Planning Your Wedding For 2021

While many couples have had to postpone their weddings or resort to a virtual ceremony to hold their special day, some recently engaged couples hope next year will work out safely for in-person celebrations.
If you’ve recently gotten engaged but prefer to have an in-person ceremony, Entertainment Unlimited has put together a few tips on planning your wedding for next year.

As other couples reschedule, keep in mind that the 2021 calendar is booking fast for many vendors and venues. While you may have a date in mind, be sure to remain open to having a backup date, close to a year after your original. If finding an open date for your dream venue is difficult, you could also consider having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday. A perk of these days is that many venues offer a discount for off-peak days.

Weddings have changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Buffets, passed hors d’oeuvres, and cocktails may become a thing of past or may not be allowed. Plated or Chef-attended food stations and wait staff wearing gloves and masks are just some of the changes that COVID-19 has brought onto the wedding industry.

You may also have to anticipate having a bigger dance floor for social distancing. Our professional Pittsburgh wedding DJs will ensure that their lighting and speakers are set up strategically so that guests can hear the music and keep dancing all night long.
Doorknobs, tables, chairs, and other regularly touched surfaces will need to be sanitized throughout the event, and you may want to consider offering masks to guests.

While some states have begun to reopen businesses, it is uncertain when states will relax the restrictions on large gatherings such as weddings. Restrictions vary by state and venue for indoor and outdoor gatherings. Be sure to ask your vendor the guest capacity for an indoor reception and an outdoor reception and plan your guest list accordingly.

To keep your guest count lower to meet your venue’s requirements, you will need to make some tough decisions about who to invite and who not to invite. You may want to consider making the main guest list and then a secondary guest list of people who can be invited if you receive enough no’s from your primary list.

COVID-19 has created some novel contract issues for couples and vendors that resulted in financial ramifications. As we enter 2021, these contracts will need to contain new provisions. One provision that is recommended is the force majeure clause, which, if an extraordinary event takes place, protects both parties from obligation or liability. This clause should be updated to include epidemic, pandemic, or COVID-19.
You will also want to look for language related to what happens if you have to terminate, cancel, or reschedule. There should also be a safe working environment clause so vendors can replace themselves if they do not feel comfortable continuing to provide their service.
Be sure to discuss these terms with your vendor and ensure that you understand them fully before entering into an agreement.

You may also want to consider hiring a professional wedding planner who can help you navigate the changes brought on by COVID-19. A wedding planner can help you stay organized and can take a major burden of stress off of your shoulders to help you feel secure, even if you end up having to reschedule.

Many vendors have been affected by this crisis and are also booking up fast, so be sure to reach out to any vendors you are interested in now.
With our professional wedding DJs in Pittsburgh, you can expect safe and superior performance to make your day special. We will work with you, providing you with the flexibility you need during these difficult times to ensure your special day has the soundtrack it needs!
Contact us today to learn more about our Pittsburgh wedding DJ services!