THROW OUT RICE, NOT DISEASES. If you're planning your wedding for the near future, you might be a bit daunted by the current surge of Omicron and wondering, "How the heck am I supposed to plan anything, let alone my wedding?" That's where these local wedding experts step in to help.

TALK IT OUT. Couples need to communicate their desires with all their vendors and guests, up front. Requiring masks? Cool, make sure that info is on the invites. Requiring proof of vaccine? Totally cool. Make sure that info is on the invites. No COVID policy? Cool, make sure that’s on the invites. Don’t be scared to have hard conversations about your expectations. 

BREAK TRADITIONS. Consider all of the wedding traditions and how comfortable you feel with them appearing at your special day. Consider foregoing the traditional receiving line. It was pretty awkward when it was first introduced by your grandma and her mom’s friends, but when you add COVID into the mix, it’s now, “Hug, kiss, germs, NEXT!” 

GET SOCIAL. Try setting up a FB private event or a wedding website to communicate quickly with guests if plans change and to share the guidelines and expectations from venues. 

CONSIDER VALUES. Be sure to choose wedding venues that align with your values. Have transparent conversations: What happens if your photographer gets sick? What if the venue closes unexpectedly? Will you be refunded your deposit? What if you get sick? Be sure to have a back up plan, and a back-up plan to your back-up plan.

SEND OUT SURVEYS. Or at least ask questions. See what your friends and family are most comfortable with. This is a day for sharing the moment, not germs.

Advice from: Ronnie Roll, Cassandra Lueck, & Rosy Haughian