In the midst of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, many couples who were planning on getting married in the near future are wondering where exactly to turn to for help, and how the outbreak might affect their big day. There’s plenty to consider both logistically and financially, so if you’re getting married in the short term, we’re here to provide some helpful tips and advice so you can celebrate as safely as possible.

Before getting into this, we want to emphasize that the safest option and our recommended approach is to limit your guest size and follow safety precautions. For couples who choose to proceed, consider the options below for ways to minimize risk as much as possible.

If you’re getting married in the next few months, avoid inviting a high guest count and consider alternative options, like live streaming your ceremony, instead.

If you’re continuing on with your wedding festivities, the safest option is to do your best to keep your guest count low, or have no guests at all. Avoiding large gatherings is key, so if possible, keep your ceremony minimized to as few loved ones as possible. Videotaping or live streaming your ceremony to your guest list is a great way to still include those you love, without any of the risk that would be involved by gathering a large crowd together. You have plenty of options here: Skype, Facebook Live, Google Hangouts, or FaceTime can allow your guests to tune in virtually and still witness your ceremony. If your heart is still set on celebrating with your entire guest list, consider hosting a big reception or vow renewal after the outbreak subsides or dissipates.

The safest way to get married is by celebrating your marriage with just you and your new spouse. The risk of contracting the virus increases in large gatherings, so choosing to elope alone brings those chances down significantly. If eloping feels like the right decision for you, consider choosing a location that’s local or doesn’t require traveling long distances or flying. Any couple who has booked Simply Eloped’s services and are uncomfortable with the idea of flying to their ceremony destination can reach out to switch to a market that may be closer to home at no additional cost.

Avoid shaking hands or hugging the couple, the wedding guests or vendors.

While we understand this is a time of celebration, it’s also a time where keeping distance is ultimately the safest way to be in a crowd of people. Save the hugging and hand-shaking for a later time — we can almost guarantee there will be no offense taken!

Keep yourself updated on the current status of wherever you’ll be traveling.

Quarantines and travel restrictions are becoming commonplace in the wake of the COVID-19 coronavirus, so if you’re planning a destination wedding, minimize any complications that may pop up by keeping tabs on what’s happening in the area you’ll be traveling to.

If you’re the couple, a guest, or a vendor who feels symptoms, do not attend the celebration.

If you’re feeling symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus or feel that you have been exposed to it in any way, do not show up to the wedding — it’s as simple as that. For any Simply Eloped couples who are in a position where they feel at risk, please contact us immediately and we will gladly work to reschedule your wedding day. We will also line up a team of vendors in the event any vendor feels as though they are showing symptoms.

Practice general safety, like washing your hands and carrying hand sanitizer around with you while outside the home.

Keeping your hands clean and avoiding touching your face is recommended, and if you are going to be hosting a wedding with guests, provide hand sanitizer for your guests — you may even want to consider gifting travel-sized bottles to your guests in lieu of favors.

Stay up-to-date with the CDC recommendations and follow them.

The best thing you can do is educate yourself with everything we know so far. Continually checking in on the CDC guidelines and any updates they may have will keep you and those around you informed and educated on how you can best prevent yourself from the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Questions and Answers amidst the COVID-19 coronavirus and your wedding day?

What do we tell our guests if we end up having to cancel or postpone due to the coronavirus?

Because the coronavirus has become prevalent on an international level, you might find that guests are relieved of your choice. Because the general public is advised to steer clear of large gatherings, postponing your wedding until there is less public risk is completely understandable.

We had a traditional wedding planned out of the country within the next few weeks, but because of the outbreak, family and friends were banned from traveling and we had to cancel. Can you help us on such short notice?

In one word: Absolutely. We know that this is a difficult time for anyone planning a wedding, near or far, and we will make sure we do everything we can to give you the wedding of your dreams — even on short notice! We want your wedding day to be perfect and safe, so contact us with what it is you were thinking, and we’ll do what we can on our end to make it happen!