Being Engaged During a Pandemic
LOVE CONQUERS
2020 was quite a year for engagements, wedding ceremonies and receptions. As an event venue, we found it extra special and endearing to listen to our couples engagement stories and what it’s like being engaged during a pandemic. The more they spoke about their experiences, the deeper in love we fell as their stories brought with them hope and light during darker times.
The pandemic has had us all re-evaluate how to run our businesses safely and successfully during these uncertain times. In an effort to ensure the safety of the public and help curve the spread of COVID-19, government authorities insisted all banquet halls and event venues restrict the number of guests for events, forcing venues to develop creative ways to preserve their livelihood.
SHIFTING THE FOCUS
Many event venues shifted their efforts into the development of outdoor spaces, smaller event spaces and focused on micro style weddings and mini ceremonies. The basic thought process here was, what can we do to help our couples move forward with their wedding dates without compromising their overall wedding vision and experience? After all, this was (is) one of the most important days for any couple. It’s the beginning of the rest of their lives together and that is something to be celebrated.
We at Royal Ashburn Golf Club created wedding packages to suit the needs and wants of our couples
(INTIMATE ROYAL WEDDING or READY-SET WEDDING).
THIS IS YOUR ENGAGEMENT
So as newly engaged couples, where do you start? First we say, start by enjoying it. Couples often forget to stop and enjoy their engagement before diving into the wedding planning process. By all means, share your announcement through virtual experiences! Share your love and excitement with the world through social media platforms, we could all use more positivity and we will definitely be celebrating along with you, but don’t forget to share special moments together and celebrate with each other. Talk to each other over dinner, take some time think about being engaged, think about what that means to you both and live in that amazing feeling before hitting up that to do list.
WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR YOU
When you’re both ready to begin planning, we recommend starting with the guest-list. Decide the number of people you want celebrating this beautiful day with you, that will help set the stage for future decisions including timing and venue choices. Notice we said want? Not how many you can have. Times have changed due to unprecedented circumstances but that doesn’t mean you need to compromise your wedding vision to adhere to someone else’s plan or standards but most of all, don’t stress the things you can’t control and focus on the things you can.
PHOTO CREDIT: ROSENLEE PHOTOGRAPHY
If you’re working with a wedding planner or a wedding venue, make sure to voice your concerns, wants and must haves from the get-go and find out if your venue is willing to be flexible with all things considered. Remember this is your day and you get to decide as a couple what is most important. Is it the amount of people that celebrate this day with you? Is it the intimate experience of marrying your best friend surrounded by close family? Perhaps an elopement at your nearest chapel or a quick trip to City Hall? It is during these most uncertain times that positive direction is most desired and that love truly does conquer all. So whatever direction you happen to deem right for your wedding day, make sure you enjoy every minute of it!
More about Royal Ashburn Golf Club and our Wedding Packages can be found on our website. We’d be happy to answer any questions regarding this post or any questions or concerns you may have in regards to wedding planning during the pandemic. Take care!