The coronavirus pandemic is upending nearly every sector of the economy – with the wedding industry particularly impacted. Despite breakthroughs in antibody tests and hopes for a vaccine, it’s unlikely we’ll go back to how things were before. If you’re planning to get married in 2020 or 2021, it’s important to consider how changes to everyday life might impact your special day.

1. Shifts to Electronic Correspondence

As the pandemic threatens domestic mail and shipping, expect changes to the way we send invitations, too. At Orange Blossom Special Events, we’re huge fans of paper goods. There’s something special about receiving mail and something extra-special when that mail is a beautiful foil-printed invitation with an address written by a calligrapher. Looking ahead, expect a major shift towards totally electronic invitation and/or correspondence. Delays in mail processing and uncertainties surrounding the ability to host an event will steer most couples to opt for electronic save the dates and invitations. Electronic mail gives couples the flexibility to send out invitations closer to the date of the event should any changes or obstacles arise.

2. Locally Sourced Flowers, Food and Wine

There have been major disruptions in supply chains when it comes to flowers and decorations. Wholesale florists are being have been forced to source much of their product locally in order to fulfill demand and mitigate any additional costs or risks to their staff. Demand for floral arrangements will continue to grow after restrictions are lifted, however, supply chains disrupted will last for months, and potentially years. Sourcing flowers from Europe or South America won’t be as easy as it’s been in the past. As a result, you’ll see a lot of variation in what’s available throughout the year. For example, peonies won’t be an option outside of June and dahlias will only be available in the fall. Seasonal, local blooms and wildflowers are what you’ll see represented most at weddings. And these offerings will vary from season to season in a more dramatic way than they have in the past.

In the post-COVID 19 age, expect to see similar disruptions when it comes to food and wine, as well. Locally sourced options will be more readily available. For us in California, we’re lucky have great vineyards all over the state. Wedding guests in California will be drinking good wine without disruption! Cheers to that!

3. Smaller Guest Counts

When creating invitation lists in the months and years ahead, couples will be extremely selective in who they actually send an invitation to. I’m hearing from my couples that they don’t want to put the burden of travel on a lot of people they were previously planning on inviting to their wedding. Instead, they’re limiting lists to family and close friends only. Also, with social distancing so fresh in everyone’s mind, keeping numbers down will help minimize the concern of spreading infection.

Risk aside, couples will also make more fiscally responsible decisions, including limiting their guest list to their nearest and dearest. There’s no doubt this country will be facing financial hardships for the near future and, although we have some couples who have had minimal disruption to their finances, we also have just as many, if not more, clients who are being financially hurt. Inviting fewer guests gives the couple ultimately control over their largest cost variable.

4. Creativity is King

In addition to limited availability on perishable goods (flowers, food, wine), there will undoubtedly be limited availability when it comes to rentals and other resources we’ve come to expect on wedding day. It’s likely that the aftermath of COVID-19 will force many small businesses to close. Small operations that previously provided bespoke tabletop rentals and décor will likely not operate as they had before the pandemic, meaning couples and wedding designers will have to get ultra-creative. Remember those cool baskets you use for storage in your home? Use them on wedding day to display flip flops for your guests! What about those vases you inherited from your grandmother? Why not use them to display flowers on your sweetheart table or welcome table? Limited resources will require couples to think creatively and, in turn, create a wedding that’s more unique and expressive.

The impact of small business closures on the wedding industry is hard to understate. It’s important to note that most surviving businesses will be operating with fewer staff compared to previous wedding seasons. Please dig deep for patience as vendors may be delayed in responding. We promise we’ll get to you and the results will be the incredibly memorable day you’ve always wanted!

5. Environmentally Conscious Planning

Consider the changes listed above, I see couples making a concerted effort toward planning environmentally conscious events. With locally sourced flowers and wine, smaller guest counts, and electronic invitations, you’re sure to have a lighter environmental footprint. Couples can also actively consider how things purchased for their wedding can be reused once the event is done.

Weddings will be back and I’m looking forward to the day I’m back to sending our amazing couples down the aisle! When we finally step back out into the world, I have no doubt that weddings will carry a deeper meaning of love and togetherness as we move forward into the post-COVID-19 era.