COVID Planning Advice

by Amanda Carchidi

 

                                        

We know wedding planning involves a lot of decision making - planning during a pandemic just makes it that much more stressful!

You might be stressing about what you can do to in the event of changes to regulations in the future, your guest’s traveling, how to make the most of your day despite the pandemic and more.

We put together this post to help you as best as we can!

First of all, we think it’s important to recognize your feelings and have space to process those feelings. It’s okay to cry, to be angry, to feel your emotions surrounding all of this. This is a monumental life moment, honestly that many of you have been dreaming of forever. You’ve probably envisioned your wedding a certain way and it’s okay to be sad, angry, frustrated that it may not go as planned. Take a moment to honour those feelings and then do what you can to reduce the stress those feelings cause! Go for a walk, have a relaxing bath, light a candle, listen to music and dance, whatever it is that you need to do reduce stress! The biggest thing following that is to remember that your wedding day WILL happen. It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when (and most likely where.)

To start with the when and where you should consider what is most important to you as a couple. This will (hopefully) help you proceed with planning a wedding that is truly yours. Is it most important that you have certain guests from out of town there in person? Is it the specific wedding date that means something? Is it the after party and the dancing? Decide what it is that is most important to you and then go from there. Then you will know if you should be planning for this year or postponing to next year (especially if you envision a wedding of 200-300 people). Even with restrictions if you are planning from your heart and what YOU want then your day will be amazing.

Let’s talk about the where. You may have a venue booked, you may be considering your backyard, you may not know where to start! We think a good place to start is to consider the restrictions that are currently in place and what each colour code on the framework represents.

Green

  • Private homes, backyards or parks 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors
  • Event venues and businesses 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
  • Wedding services 30% indoors and 100 people outside
  • Restaurants -2 metres between tables (guest capacity is what this makes the limit with spacing)

Yellow

  • Private homes, backyards or parks 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors
  • Event venues and businesses 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
  • Wedding services 30% indoors and 100 people outside
  • Restaurants -2 metres between tables (guest capacity is what this makes the limit with spacing), must close by midnight with alcohol service ending at 11pm. No more than six people per table

Orange

  • Private homes, backyards or parks 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors
  • Event venues and businesses 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
  • Wedding services 30% indoors and 100 people outside
  • Restaurants - 50 person capacity, limit 4 people per table. Tables spaced 2 metres apart. Must close by 10pm, no alcohol after 9pm.

Red

  • All wedding receptions whether private or public venue is 5 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
  • Wedding services 30% indoors and 100 people outside
  • Restaurants - 10 person capacity, limit 4 people per table. Tables spaced 2 metres apart. Must close by 10pm, no alcohol after 9pm.

Lockdown

  • Events and social gatherings are not allowed indoors. 10 people limit for outdoors. Wedding services 10 person limit.
  • Restaurants closed for indoor dining.

 

Keep these in mind when you are considering if you are going to proceed with your current plans or switch to an alternate date/venue/location etc.

So with that being said, IF you are considering switching venues or location here are a list of outdoor venues in the Soo and surrounding area, as well as suggestions for more unique, intimate locations if you are considering a reception with less than 25 people.

*We have included locations outside of the Soo to recognize these businesses and their beautiful venues but remember to check with them on visitor policies and travel guidelines if you are not from that community.

 

Sault Ste. Marie Outdoor Venues

  • Crimson Ridge
  • Bushplane Museum
  • Hiawatha Outdoors on trail
  • Bible Fellowship church at Hiawatha
  • Bondar Tent
  • Bellevue Park
  • Art Gallery
  • The Machine Shop
  • Superintendent’s House -SSM Canal National Historic Site
  • Delta outdoors
  • Watertower Pavilion
  • Old Stone House
  • Quattro
  • Prince Township Rink
  • Thompson Farms
  • Sault Ste. Marie Country Club

Algoma Area Outdoor Venues

  • Silver Creek Golf Course
  • Round Barn
  • Stokely Creek
  • Bruce Bay Lighthouse
  • Melwel Lodge
  • Laurentian Lodge 
  • Laird Fairgrounds
  • Captain Tilley
  • Searchmont Resort

Sault Ste. Marie Unique, Intimate Event Venues (Indoor & Outdoor)

  • Sault Ste. Marie Museum
  • Northern Superior Brewing Co
  • Outspoken Brewery
  • Renting out your favourite restaurant

 

STORING YOUR GOWN

If you have already purchased a wedding gown and you are storing it longer than anticipated make sure you have the following to keep your dress protected.

  • Breathable cotton garment bag
  • Stored in a cool, dry place
  • Give it space in the storage area
  • Use the hang tags (strings) on the gown to hold it up
  • Keep it in the bag as much as possible unless taking it out for a fitting (oils on skin get on dress)

 

MAKING DECISIONS

If you have a decision made on something you want for your wedding, don’t hesitate! Move forward with your decision and relieve that stress by checking it off your list! We are talking about favours, bridesmaid gifts, stationary, decor pieces, attire, anything at all.

If it has to be ordered or made or shipped and you know you love it then get it crossed off the list. We all know over the last 10 months there were delays in production, receiving supplies, shipment delays etc etc. Don’t wait until crunch time and have shipping delays cause you more stress.

 

BACKUP PLAN

Whether you are planning a wedding for indoors or outdoors, it’s a great idea to have a backup plan. If that backup plan is a public event venue make sure it’s reserved and you have discussed all of your options. If that backup plan is a private residence make sure you know what you are doing for tables, chairs, tents and have that all arranged just in case. At least have an idea of everything you would need to proceed in the event you change your plans.

 

ADDITIONAL TIPS

  • Photobooths are unfortunately not an option as of right now but there are other ways you can incorporate this! You can place hotobooth props at each table if that is something you would like guests to do, set up 6ft distance markers on the ground for guests to stand at to take a picture “together” or do a backdrop with 6ft markers on either side for people to take a picture in front of.
  • With your Save the Dates or invitations include a line that says Covid Pending. If you have a wedding website make sure guests are aware all invites are Covid Pending and that it may change based on restrictions. 
  • Think outside the box. If you are planning a smaller wedding or a backyard wedding, think of other small businesses you can support with your wedding planning. For meal is there a restaurant that you both LOVE? Do they offer catering for 25, 50, 100 people and you are able to incorporate that into your wedding day? Think of the farmer’s markets and craft shows. Is there a business that is able to make you favours or decor items for your day? A positive to a smaller, more intimate wedding is that you can use businesses that may not always be able to operate on the large scale events of 300+ people!

DECOR/RENTAL COMPANIES

  • Anthesis Supply
  • Grand Gardens
  • Diamond Engagements
  • Nicole Beauchamp Designs
  • Maxco Steel
  • Jane of All Trades
  • Creative Nest
  • ShowStoppers
  • But First Coffee
  • Paint & Decor
  • Event Tent Party Rentals
  • R & M Tent Rentals 
  • MJV Party Time Rentals 
  • Ivory Lane Collective

We hope this is helpful to you for decision making. Remember you can always reach out to your wedding vendors for reassurance and additional advice! Feel free to call or message us anytime and we will do our best to ease your concerns and get you married! 

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