Last Updated on June 17, 2023 by Sandra Adamson

Tips for planning your Elopement, Intimate Wedding or The Full Party during Covid in Nova Scotia

If you are like me, you were probably hoping we wouldn’t have to think about tips for planning your elopement, intimate wedding or the full party during covid-19. You probably don’t want to even think about postponing your wedding or planning your wedding for 2021. But since we still don’t know exactly when everything will go back to normal at this point, here is a blog post on tips for planning your wedding during this pandemic. 

At the time of this post, in Nova Scotia, we are allowed up to 250 people outside for all types of weddings. Indoors we are allowed up to 200 or 50% of the venue’s capacity. Social distancing must be maintained whether you are inside or outside and masks must be worn if that social distancing can not be maintained. Here is the link for wedding restrictions. It gets updated regularly, including gathering limits.

https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restrictions-and-guidance/

Your Wedding Day Options

1. You can keep your wedding as is. Following present restrictions and guidelines, that are mentioned the above url.

2. Elope or have an intimate ceremony and move the reception to next year. 

3. Postpone everything until next year.

Tips For Planning Your Wedding During Covid Times.

1. BE VERY FLEXIBLE. If restrictions are tight with no end in sight you have to decide what’s more important. Being married to your love or having a big party after that? Once you know the answer to that the rest of the planning is easy. 

2. Create 3 guest lists, One of 10, up to 50, and 100+. Then use the guest list that is appropriate at the time of your wedding with the gathering limits.

3. Purchase masks that are color coordinated to your wedding colors. For your wedding party and guests.

4. Bride and groom masks don’t have to be plain! There are some truly amazing people designing more couture looking masks for the couple now!

5. Move your entire wedding outdoors, if your venue can accommodate this. There are many choices like the Barn at Sadie Belle Farm or choose a local HRM park like DeWolfe Park.

6. Using Facebook messenger or even create a Facebook group for your wedding guests. Open up a wedding website through The Knot or use email for those who don’t have Facebook, to help update guests on your plans.

7. Look into live streaming your ceremony for those who can’t attend.

Tips on Planning an Elopement or Very Intimate Ceremony

8. Choose an elopement location that is special to both of you. One of my bride’s had her elopement ceremony at her grandparent’s cottage. Her original wedding was to be at the Hubbard’s barn but has been moved to next year.

9. If your location is on public land, make sure you have the contact number of the people in charge so you can keep up to date on any new restrictions or rules as your date approaches.

10. Purchase any required permits needed in advance as soon as possible. 

11. Check with your wedding vendors, they might be willing to add on an elopement at a small additional cost. As a photographer and videographer, I offered my couples a one hour elopement ceremony for free this year and allowed their large wedding to be moved to next year at no additional cost. Most wedding vendors want to be as accommodating as they can during trying times.

The important thing to remember during these trying times, be as flexible as possible for your own happiness! Honestly, the actual marriage is more important than the wedding day. Yes, we all want our dream wedding, but it is the love you share that will be everlasting!

Capturing your L❤VE story is my passion…let’s chat!