Trust me, I get it. You’ve been planning this amazing wedding for months or even years. This is the day you’ve been dreaming of since you first found “the one.” Then tragedy struck in the form of COVID-19… your plans have all had to be adjusted to fit this new “normal.” But fear not! Your beautiful day can and will still happen. Not only that, it might just be better and more creative than you ever thought possible.
In these weird and confusing times, you might be thinking that a traditional wedding is no longer the most appropriate or stress-free option. Well, you are in luck! Here is a list of some of my favorite wedding day alternatives. They are in order from most conventional to most outrageous, but frankly, ALL can be made stunning and documented well with the right wedding photographer!
Without further ado…
1. Courthouse Ceremonies
Not typically seen as the romantic option, courthouse ceremonies have come a long way away from the “strictly business” shadow they once cast. Leaning into already limited guest counts, this option does away with guests almost completely! Bring a witness or two and you should be good to go! There is still room for plenty of magic, however, and a great photographer will play on the intimacy of the ceremony rather than the extravagance.
2. Elopement
Think of this one as the crazy twin to the courthouse ceremony. Elopements bring a lot of the same traits but just with a bit more pizzazz. Not quite destination weddings, these ceremonies can still take place in some interesting places. From restaurants to mountain tops, elopements are fun, intimate, adventurous, and spontaneous. Just bring your closest friends and family and share in the love. Stone Mountain is a really adventurous location right in Atlanta’s backyard. My fiancé and I actually did our own engagement shoot on Stone Mountain. Check out the view possibilities!
3. Backyard wedding
This has easily become one of my favorite new wedding trends of 2020. They are so fun and quirky, but can also be EXTREMELY elegant and intimate. Typically, you save a LOT of the cost of the venue, cause uhh, it's a backyard. Take those savings and throw them into string lights, drapery, and florals to really spice up the scene. Another spin-off version of this is to rent a cabin or mansion (much more affordable than it sounds) for the weekend. Most have plenty of space for guests to stay in as well and you can even split the cost. Just make sure the owner is cool with big parties. Here is a local one in Georgia that would be perfect!
4. Virtual Wedding
In the year of the Zoom call, it feels only right that I mention the amazing benefits of doing a virtual wedding. Not only is this the most social distancing you can promise while still having an attendance, but it can also be really fun with the right person behind the camera. Everyone gets a close-up seat. Nobody gets the sun in their eyes or has to sit next to Aunt Ethel who will pinch your cheeks off. Win-win! On a bit more of a budget? There are plenty of ways to set the phone or camera on a tripod and let it take care of itself. Check out how here!
5. Destination Weddings/Elopements
Want all of the fun of an elopement but in Bora Bora? How about on a cliff near a Fjord in Norway? Well then look no further because this is your choice! It might not be as easy to travel these days, but there are definitely safe methods to use and precautions that can be taken. Just try to avoid peak travel months around holidays. Typically a luxury option, destination weddings have never been more accessible. Tickets to fly are incredibly low and the airports aren’t as packed as they once were. Do your research, but this can definitely be the best time to afford the dream wedding in Maui!
6. Combined Wedding and Honeymoon
Sort of piggybacking on the last one, this option ticks two wedding boxes! Imagine not only getting married on a Greek island but also STAYING there for a couple of weeks after! Almost a year into the pandemic, most destinations and resorts have procedures in place to make extended stays worry-free. And once again, the prices… can't beat them!
7. Hot Air Balloon Wedding
So when I heard that this was becoming a thing, I almost flipped. I was ready to say screw it to the venue we already paid for and just throw money into hot air balloons. Better judgment prevailed… but had I not already had a venue, you better believe this would have been my number one choice. Just avoid this one if your partner is afraid of heights.
No matter what avenue you choose, remember that this is your day. 2020 and all of its craziness cannot take that away. Whether you decide to go the crazy fun route, a quieter intimate one, or simply decide to wait until all of this blows over, your day will forever be special simply because it is your day.
Good luck Brides and Grooms!
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