The pandemic brought upon uncharted territory for everyone, and for those in the events industry and for couples ready to get married, the restrictions and mandates posed many challenges when trying to host pandemic weddings. But fortunately, wedding professionals continued to help guide couples to wedding day success, and along the way, new event elements, technology, and services were brought to light that had positive impacts on weddings. Weddings and large gatherings may never be the same. Here are elements that made getting married during a pandemic unique and popular wedding features we may see at events for years to come!
How Weddings Have Changed Since the Pandemic
Pandemic Weddings
When couples could delay their date no more, they slimmed down their guest list and hosted an intimate wedding in 2020 with precautions in place to keep guests safe. Two, sometimes three, date changes resulted in new invites and sometimes having to change vendors, guest lists, and venues. There were new necessary additions to the big day, like hand sanitizer and masks, but couples were lucky to be able to achieve the ultimate goal – to safely get married to the love of their life!
See some of the invites and event additions to “pandemic” weddings in 2020 and early 2021.
Tim Vogel, Complete Weddings + Events Videographer and Video Editor, and his wife Hanna had an interactive photo opportunity wall that incorporated aspects of both of their personal lives plus the unique time of getting married during the covid-19 pandemic. Tim’s father built the installation shown below in honor of Hanna being a model and Tim’s artist name, Timmy Vogue. Unique custom photo booth backgrounds and wall installations are becoming more and more common at events, and this one perfectly shows how cool and creative they can be!
Live Streaming
With live streaming, you now have endless invites to the viewing party! Whether you are limiting your costs or trying to limit in-person interaction due to the coronavirus or any health concerns, live streaming is the best option to add to your day!
This service had a big spike at 2020 and 2021 weddings! While live streaming has been common at corporate conferences, the service is new to the wedding world, since couples want extended family or far-away friends to still be able to tune into the big day. Reach out if you’re interested in having a live stream at your wedding ceremony!
Videography
While live streaming was new to the wedding world in 2020, videography is definitely not new in the wedding world, but it sure was a top choice this year! Videography is much more the norm for millennials and generation Z, (where boomerangs and Tik Tok videos have become a part of daily life), so it’s no surprise this increasingly popular wedding service reached new heights in 2020. Hiring a videographer has become a no-brainer for the couples of today, and we know this service is a game-changer. Couples’ reaction to seeing their wedding video is a one-of-kind experience, and some couples have shared they watch their wedding video way more frequently than viewing the day’s photos.
Packaging photography and videography together will be a trend to stay in 2021, and bundling the two with Complete Weddings + Events can help you save on the services as well! Contact us to see examples of wedding videos at your venue, and to learn more about videography options for your day!
Interactive Technology
Another element that was typically only experienced in the corporate event world has also crossed over to weddings this year. Complete Interactive uses technology to engage your guests with fun, fresh activities that elevate your big day. These services are also perfect if wedding guests want to stay seated at their table but still be engaged in the event safely.
Complete Interactive brings a unique element to your day that all guests can see, take part in, and enjoy. You can customize and choose from the four main elements to bring the best experience for you and your day.
- Live voting on song choices to customize the playlist to what guests want to hear
- Wedding party quizzes between the bridesmaids and groomsmen
- Trivia on the couple all guests can complete in
- A social wall that brings your wedding’s social media to feed to the full screen
Micro Weddings
With size limitations on gatherings throughout 2020 and 2021, many couples knew the show must go on! Thus the popularity of micro weddings grew. These smaller weddings typically only have 15-25 guests, but can still feel grand at unique venues with plated meals and customized experiences, from decor to Complete Interactive, that still make the day unforgettable with your dearest family and friends.
Weddings with Complete
We love the creativity couples and wedding professionals have had this year in making wedding celebrations just as meaningful, romantic, and as unique as ever! Our team at Complete Weddings + Events will continue to innovate and craft wedding experiences as unique as each couple, adding these new elements to only bring more laughter, involvement, and excitement to weddings in the future. Contact us to learn more about our wedding services or if you’re interested in adding livestreaming, videography, or Complete Interactive to your wedding day!