After a year and more of living with the pandemic, we all have to adapt to the new normal. This includes important milestones such as getting married.
Getting married in 2021 presents a different set of challenges to couples. Even a small simple wedding ceremony may be derailed when sudden safe management restrictions are imposed. For example, the 2020 Circuit Breaker threw many couples’ wedding plans into disarray while Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) put a stop to wedding receptions. (This has yet to resume as of the time of writing.)
Whether you just started planning your wedding or have postponed your wedding from 2020, here are 5 things you need to look out for when planning a wedding in the new normal.
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#1 Consider Holding A Smaller Wedding
There is no better time than now to hold a small wedding. Not only do you save on costs, but it is also much easier to proceed with a smaller wedding when the pandemic situation changes. Pre-event testing can cost a pretty penny, ranging from $28 to $50 per pax, and not everyone may be comfortable undergoing a swab or even attending a large social event.
Under the current Safe Management Measures (SMMs) (with effect from 21 June 2021 onwards), wedding receptions are currently prohibited and there are attendee restrictions depending on the venue of the solemnisation. This number includes the wedding couple but does not include the Solemnizer and the vendors.
Based on this, we have come up with 3 levels of difficulty for holding a wedding solemnisation (food not included).
Level 1: Party of Ten
A simple solemnisation ceremony that can be held at ROM/M Building itself or at home. A maximum of 10 people (including the bride and groom) can attend. This means only 8 guests, so choose wisely.
If you are holding the ceremony at home, you can have a maximum of 10 attendees or up to 5 visitors (excluding members of the hosting household), whichever is higher. For example, you can have 11 attendees if 6 people are household members and the remaining 5 are visitors.
This is likely the most fuss-free option. You can also opt to livestream the event (either by a tech-savvy family member or a vendor) to invite relatives, friends and associates to share in the moment virtually.
Do note that wedding receptions are not allowed to be held at home or at the ROM building even after the proposed relaxation of measures in mid-July 2021. However, tea ceremony may be held before or after the solemnisation subject to the social gathering size limit of 5 pax or 5 visitors a day at home.
Level 2: Up To 50 Attendees
For external venues, including places of worship, a maximum of 50 attendees (including the wedding couple) is allowed without Pre-Event Testing (PET). However, this is still subject to the safe capacity of the venue. If the safe capacity of your venue is only 20 pax, this will be the maximum number of attendees allowed.
This means couples who want to have their dream church wedding can still proceed with minimal changes to their plans as long as they are within the attendee limit.
After the relaxation of SMMs in mid-July (the actual date is yet to be announced), wedding receptions may resume. For receptions that have up to 50 attendees, only the core wedding party (of up to 20 attendees) need to undergo PET. This means only the wedding couple, bridesmaids and groomsmen, the parents, as well as any attendee you deem essential to the core wedding party will need to be swabbed.
Level 3: Up to 250 Attendees
For larger wedding solemnisation held at external venues with more than 50 attendees, the maximum number allowed is 250 pax and PET is required for all, including the wedding couple. This is subject to the safe capacity of the venue.
Additionally, attendees must be split into zones of 50 pax and only the core wedding party (who must be pre-event tested) is allowed to cross the different zones. Staggered timings for the groups of 50 must also be implemented with at least 30 mins between the time slots to allow for disinfection of event space and common areas.
After the relaxation of SMMs in mid-July, the maximum number of attendees for wedding receptions is 100 pax, subject to the safe capacity of the venue. PET is required for all attendees. This means that if you are planning a joint solemnisation and reception, you have to cap your wedding guest list at 100 (including the wedding couple).
This possibly the most logistically challenging option as your attendees all need to be tested or vaccinated and you will have to manage the logistics of zoning the attendees. The help of a wedding planner is possibly worth the money. Instead of photobooth or candy corner, consider hiring an on-site PET testing vendor.
#2 Fully Vaccinated Attendees Are Exempted From PET
The current PET recommendation is the Antigen Rapid Test (ART) which provides results typically around 30mins. The testing must be conducted at earliest 24 hours before the end of the attendance at the wedding ceremony. If your wedding solemnisation is scheduled to start at 2 pm and end at 3 pm, the ART should be taken after 3 pm on the day before at earliest.
If your venue location allows for it (not every venue has sufficient space), hiring an on-site PET testing vendor will be more convenient for your guests and you may receive preferential bulk rates.
Fully vaccinated attendees (i.e. they have received their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccination at least 2 weeks before the event) are exempted from PET. So, encourage your attendees, especially the core wedding party, to get their vaccinations early.
Individuals who recovered from a COVID-19 infection are also exempted from PET for 270 days from the date of the first positive PCR result. To prove their exemption status, they will need to obtain a PET Exemption Notice from any clinic offering ART or PCR testing services.
#3 The Wedding Couple Can Still Kiss (Without Masks) But Everyone Else Should Remain Masked
Under the prevailing national measures, face shields are not allowed. However, an exception is made for wedding couples.
Instead of wearing a mask that would obscure the face of the pretty bride, the wedding couple is allowed to wear face shields throughout the wedding solemnisation. They can also remove their mask or face shields during key moments (i.e. the exchanging of vows, rings, kiss and march-in/outs). During the moments when they are unmasked/ not wearing their face shields, they must maintain a 2m distance from the rest of the attendees.
All other attendees must remain masked during the solemnisation. Masks may be momentarily removed for photo-taking and worn back immediately.
#4 Flexibility In Deposits, Cancellations And Refund Policies Of Vendors
Most couples plan their weddings months ahead of the actual date. This means securing their preferred vendors early and paying a deposit (or even full payment) well in advance. While this system has worked quite well in normal circumstances, the uncertainty of the pandemic means that postponing a wedding date is more likely now.
Before you sign a package or contract for wedding services, do check their fine print for their policies regarding rescheduling or cancellations due to the pandemic situation. A vendor who has more flexible policies will be much easier to work with if you need to change the wedding date due to pandemic restrictions. This could mean the ability to convert deposits into credits or vouchers if you have booked a hotel or restaurant for the reception. Being able to reschedule the services of your makeup artist, photographer/videographer or convert their services from actual day wedding shoot to photoshoot and vice versa, will also help when stricter safe management measures are suddenly imposed.
Another consideration will be the financial solvency of the company you engage. Given the drastic hit to hospitality and events sector during the pandemic, many operators may not be in the best financial situation. Choose the right vendor who would not go under in between the time you sign your package and the actual wedding day. You may wish to do a check against CASE’s company alert list as well as reviews from other brides-to-be.
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#5 Viewings And Photoshoots May Be Arranged Differently From Pre-Pandemic Times
Currently, most banquet location viewings are suspended or held virtually. Couples who are booking their venues now will have to rely on virtual tours. On the positive, you will have a clear indication of how the space will show up on live streaming, which may continue as a post-pandemic wedding trend.
Likewise, overseas photoshoots have been suspended indefinitely while travelling takes a halt. This means that couples will have to support local and find interesting local locations to capture their pre-wedding photoshoots. Do note that masks must still be worn in between shoots and subject to safe management measures. Given that mask-wearing is mandatory, do make sure that your bridal make-up is long-wearing and include considerations for touch-ups during the photoshoot.
Consider Alternative Wedding Arrangements
While typically held together, the wedding solemnisation and reception can be held as individual events.
For couples who want to proceed with the solemnisation (e.g. to adhere to certain auspicious timings or HDB’s timeline for BTO purchase), separating the events means having lesser vendors to liaise with if sudden changes need to be made. Holding the reception later may also possibly mean that there may no longer be any pandemic restrictions to stop you from hosting your dream wedding reception.
With a smaller, more intimate wedding, couples may also wish to consider alternative wedding locations such as a yacht wedding or garden party, instead of the traditional church wedding or wedding banquet. After all, we are adapting to the new normal and weddings are no exception to the sea of change that the pandemic has brought us.
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