In light of the national night-time curfew from 10pm to 4am during lockdown, wedding celebrations are looking a bit different. Even though large gatherings are not permitted yet, couples may be legally married at the Magistrate’s Office and then usually have a small intimate celebration with their immediate families.

If you don’t want to worry about breaking curfew, have a lunch celebration. Spring is drawing near which means lovely outdoor weather, perfect for a day time feast. Here are our top tips on how to pull it off.

Decide on indoor or outdoor

For a daytime wedding, both outdoor and indoor venues will work. Decide which you prefer, taking into consideration the season and the climate, as well as factors like space and accessibility for your guests. If you live in a very windy city, an outdoor option might not work if the area is not protected from wind. However, if you’re planning a summer wedding in an area with good weather, an outdoor venue will be exquisite.

Have a fabulous drinks station

Even though we are still under an alcohol ban, there’s no excuse for skimping on the drinks station. As the season’s change, cater appropriate drinks. Fresh fruit juices and cold ice teas are vital on a hot summer’s day, while coffee and tea are a much-needed comfort during winter.

Replace the dancing 

Since the wedding will happen during the afternoon, your guests likely won’t be strutting their dance moves while the sun is still out. Instead, have fun games to entertain guests, like croquet, giant Jenga, giant Scrabble, or ring toss. If games are not your vibe, add a fun element with karaoke, or provide tables with board and card games.

Consider the weather

Depending on the season and what part of the country you live in, the weather probably differs throughout the day. Even in summer, late afternoons can get chilly, especially for older guests. Provide blankets, just in case. Similarly, if it’s very hot and an outdoor wedding, provide fabric umbrellas or Chinese fans for guests to cool down with. Take into account whether or not it is likely to rain and make sure there is a cover, if so.

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Guest lists will have to be smaller for the foreseeable future amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Even as weddings are allowed to continue again, we predict there will be a strict limit on how many people may gather.

As a result, couples will have to be extra cautious when determining who will attend their wedding. Beyond this, your guest list size is also a key issue because it will largely affect the total cost of your wedding.

Here are some tips for creating a list and sticking to it.

Decide who plans the list:

In most cases, you, your fiance, and both of your families will each have their own idea about who should be invited.  While everyone can share how they feel, it’s key to discuss beforehand who has the final say on the list.

To get off on the right foot, have everyone involved submit a list of the people they’d like to attend. They should rank the names in order of importance, starting at the top. Then you and your fiance can compare the lists and cross off any duplications. Add up the numbers that are left to determine how close you are to your estimated count and figure out how many more people you may need to eliminate (or, if you’re lucky, who you can add). Then, have each of the parties involved cut an assigned number of names, starting from the bottom of his or her personal list. This way, both families are treated fairly, while you manage to keep control over the size of the guest list.

Make an A and B List:

While it may sound harsh, there are some guests that are more important than others. Having your parents and best friends present is probably more meaningful than your cousin twice removed. A good idea is to create separate lists: your A and B list.

In list A, include all the essential people you want at your wedding, like your close family and best friends. Anyone you deem non-essential but would be nice to have around should go in your B list. This will include colleagues, distant relatives and neighbours.

Determine budget and venue:

Before going crazy with your list, it’s helpful to know what you can afford and what your budget allows. There is no point in having a long list if your venue can only accommodate 100 people. When venue shopping, keep in mind whether you want a small. medium-sized or large wedding.

Similarly, you need to know that you have the budget to back this up. If you want a big wedding, you need to have the funds or a plan to be able to finance a wedding of this scale before inviting people. You don’t want to have to un-invite people later, or scrimp on other aspects of your big day.

Adults only:

An easy way to limit a guest-list is to go child-free. While it’s cute to have nieces and nephews in your wedding, some decide that no other children who are not in the wedding party may be invited. This also helps to cut down on costs of an on-site babysitter for super small kids, and needing entertainment to prevent tiny tots from boredom.

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The couple’s first dance at a wedding is one of the most memorable moments. All eyes are firmly glued to the newlyweds as they hold each other in a tight embrace and glide across the dance floor. It is a highly anticipated moment at any wedding.

Since it’s such a popular part of the celebration, couples often spend days or even weeks fussing over the perfect song to dance to. Even celebrities ensure that they’ve got the perfect tune to sway to.

Another consideration, of course, is the style of dance. There are so many options it could make your head spin (and that’s before you start practicing). Here are some of the top styles, to help you make your decision:

The Waltz 

Nothing really compares to the classics, and that goes for dance styles too. The Waltz has always been a popular option. There are a few different forms of this style, including American, International, French, and Viennese.

There are some steps you’ll have to learn, of course. A few moves are what make the dance a Waltz. These include box steps and turning patterns.

The Salsa 

Although it is fast-paced and a bit complicated, if you’re willing to learn, the Salsa will definitely add some flavour to your wedding celebration. Its a sensual dance, perfect for newlyweds. You may, however, have to account for a costume change, to allow for extra freedom of movement, if you decided on this style.

The Sway 

This one is for the couples who’d prefer to not spend too much time getting to know the steps of a dance. It’s extremely simple, and even those who claim to have two left feet can easily get the hang of it.

The Swing

For couples who are comfortable with more complex dance moves, and are looking for something more upbeat, the swing is a great option. It fits in with a vintage style, if that’s what you’re going for with your theme, but may require you to ensure that your outfits are more comfortable than the average wedding attire, as jumps, lifts, and kicks are common in this dance style. Of course, you don’t have to add all the theatrics, you could just stick to the basics.

The Foxtrot 

The playful couple would most likely opt for the foxtrot. It’s a medium tempo, and takes a bit of practice, but will be well worth it.

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