Though there is a vaccine in sight, this last year has been especially challenging for anyone working in the wedding industry. Many of us have tried different tactics for staying in business, staying in front of potential clients and doing what we can to survive this period.
I asked a few fellow wedding pros (who play key roles in any wedding) how they've been managing during this time and here's what they had to say:
From a floral designer:
"With most 2020 weddings needing to postpone to 2021, I realized there were couples interested in eloping, or celebrating intimately, on their original wedding dates. Floral design is a go-to when it comes to creating macro level details for any celebration, big or small. So I re-thought my packages and pricing strategies to allow me to meet the needs of these smaller celebrations. I’m finding that with reduced headcount and associated expenses, couples are finding opportunities within their budgets to make their floral designs that much more special. From a simple bouquet and boutonniere, to large-scale beachside installations -- It's been so fun working with playing a part in my couples' special days." - Anastasia Andenmatten, Floral Design
For ideas on how to make your elopement meaningful, check out this blog post on Anastasia's website (yours truly drops some insight too!).
From a wedding planner:
"The pandemic has been incredibly eye opening for our small business and has forced us to re-evaluate how we can be essential to our clients and network alike. As a Planner, much of my job this year has required dropping in heart-fully with my clients and professional network by being a genuine, listening ear and unwavering pillar of support for them amidst the hardship.
In order to pivot appropriately we have had to get more creative than ever in how we serve our clients, as well as making sure our vendors are supported and involved. Hitched now offers elopement and micro wedding services for clients who still want to create something unforgettable on their original wedding date, if maybe they have postponed the larger celebration and dance party to 2021.
Our goal in encouraging and hosting intimate gatherings is to make this day incredibly special and real for our Newlyweds, as well as keep our vendors involved by keeping as many services as we can on for the elopement or micro wedding. Although at first defeating, by relying on the grace of our clients and the outstanding community of wedding industry professionals, we have been incredibly encouraged in receiving the best feedback from our happy clients and vendors! We have learned firsthand that we are in this together, and that we will only come out stronger if we continue to rely and lift one another up in life's beautiful moments, no matter the circumstances we are facing." - Haley Brantley, Hitched by Haley
From a photographer:
"During the pandemic, I've really enjoyed photographing micro weddings and intimate weddings. Some of the couples are new and some of the couples just wanted to get married on the original date at the original venue, but they all tell me the same thing: when you're up there saying those vows to each other, whether it's 200 people or 10, it really does feel like you're the only two people that exist. So it's been a really lovely thing to capture!" - Monica Lam, Monica Lam Photo
From a baker:
Spoiler alert, this one's from me. During the pandemic, I have tried a lot of different things. I've offered micro wedding and elopement packages, I've offered virtual cake decorating classes, and I've boosted the amount of content I create for the 'gram. And through this process, I have learned a lot.
It's been rewarding to still supply cakes, even tiny ones, so that couples still have something sweet to celebrate their new life together. The size of the cake is irrelevant as long as you're sharing it with the one you love.
It has also been rewarding teaching online classes! I had taught in-person classes before but virtual is a whole different ball game, and I'm so happy to say that this type of instruction has definitely made me a better teacher and communicator. In fact, the online classes have gone so well that I'm going to continue to offer them into 2021.
Moving into the new year, I think we will still be seeing small events, and that's ok. Wedding industry professionals have got some of the best pandemic-pivot game around, and I know that as things shift and change, which they inevitably will, so will we.
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