With the current restrictions, weddings have been reduced in size to allow a maximum of 5 people to be present for the ceremony, which includes the couple, the Celebrant and the 2 witnesses.
We realise as Celebrants we are among the lucky few wedding professionals who can still live their passion. Sure, only being permitted to officiate micro weddings is limiting for our couples, however we are incredibly grateful we can still perform these and do our little part in ensuring these weddings are still incredibly special and memorable.
We personally adapted to the restrictions by launching our new elopement offering elope.net.au designed to inform and equip couples that still intend to wed in a small elopement style ceremony under the current restrictions.
What precautions are the wedding industry taking to ensure a safe environment for their couples?
We believe it’s vital for wedding industry professionals to comply with the Governments restrictions and follow hygiene practices and social distancing,
While the following outlines procedures we have implemented for our clients, these will likely be similar to those of many other streams within the wedding industry, to ensure a safe environment and reduce the chance of any potential spread.
Meetings
- Online meetings are now also available for local couples (in addition to our interstate and overseas based couples) we offer our clients a choice of video conferencing methods/ apps.
- If or when an ‘in person’ meeting is necessary, we advise clients before the meeting that we will be adhering to social distancing practices and that we will be unable to shake their hand. We have received an extremely positive response to this.
- We ask couples to advise us if they haven’t been feeling well or have arrived from overseas within the last 2 weeks, in which case ‘in person’ meetings can instead take place on line.
- We have antibacterial gel available, and we continue to wash and sanitise our own hands before, after and between every meeting.
- We use antibacterial wipes to clean tables and chairs that are used for the ‘in person’ meeting, both before and after the meeting takes place.
- We use antibacterial wipes to clean the pens used during the meeting.
Weddings
- If using a microphone, we sanitise this before and after use.
- We have hand sanitiser available for use, and we personally use this frequently.
- Before the wedding commences, we include a pre-wedding announcement to remind guests of social distancing requirements and advise them of the couples request to avoid shaking hands, hugging and kissing.
- We respectfully aren’t shaking hands with or hugging clients or guests.
- We request the full legal names of the 2 witnesses, so these can be printed on the marriage certificates, minimising the time the witnesses are in contact with the marriage paperwork.
- We take a new signing pen out of a packet for the couple to use, and allow them to keep this at the end of the ceremony.
- Tablecloths from signing tables are washed at a hot temperature after every ceremony.
- If there is not a Photographer stepping in after we leave, we will offer to take some photos for the couple on our own phone, to then send to them.
If our clients have any further requests that are in support of the health regulations for COVID-19, we will happily oblige.
We hope this post gives you some reassurance that you are in safe hands as you continue to plan your wedding during this time.
Author:
Cara Hodge of Jamie + Cara – Brisbane City Celebrants and elope.net.au
Images: Twig and Fawn Photography