Marriage in the age of the corona: Wedding planners on what else can be done – Radar

A great meeting, crowds of warm kisses and a sweaty dance party: these are not only the ingredients for a dream wedding, but also for a smouldering stove of the new coronavirus. So it’s understandable that it’s not possible for a while, but it’s a tough swimmer for those who see their dream wedding fall into the water. However, there are ways to do more than just sign a few signatures in City Hall. Together with three wedding planners, we are looking for the possibilities of couples in love who want to get into the wedding boat.
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A great meeting, crowds of warm kisses and a sweaty dance party: these are not only the ingredients for a dream wedding, but also for a smouldering stove of the new coronavirus. So it’s understandable that it’s not possible for a while, but it’s a tough swimmer for those who see their dream wedding fall into the water. However, there are ways to do more than just sign a few signatures in City Hall. Together with three wedding planners, we are looking for the possibilities of couples in love who want to get into the wedding boat. Option number one? “Postpone,” sighs Nadine Winten of feratius agentur by phone. She sees that many of her clients do, sometimes even a whole year. “Many people with a planned summer wedding are not immediately looking forward to a winter wedding. If we can do it for the party location, we just move everything up for a year and the concept can stay the same. I’m not asking for costs for that.’Eline Ros also sees couples pushing their party ahead of them. “I suspect that wedding parties will soon be allowed again as long as you abide by all possible conditions. But I have many customers for whose limitations are a reason to postpone their party until a later date. What about foreign guests who are absolutely part of it? Or over 65-year-olds who need to be there? Many wedding members quickly meet more than 100 guests. If they all want to have them at their party, they have little choice but to postpone.” But that doesn’t mean there can’t be a little celebration in the meantime. The day on which a couple will marry is usually stated in many agendas in the fat months to even one year in advance. People live in such a way that a date that you can’t delete would be their day, Eline says. And so you can put this original day in the spotlight, even if there will be a big party later. “Instead of a wedding date, couples who have to postpone their plans only get two”. But in order to do so, you have to show some creativity in the near future. Fortunately, many beautiful initiatives have already been created to make it particularly cozy and festive in your own nest. And that can go beyond good food, champagne, prefabricated cocktails and flowers. Party planner Kimberley Geldof and designer Anisa Spiessens, for example, are launching a box that packs all kinds of accessories to cover a table for two people. From textiles to a bouquet of flowers to a poem: you take care of the food, she takes care of the atmosphere. Eline is also currently working diligently on a box to support couples on their day. “There will be all kinds of treats in this package, but also concrete activities to do on this day. I think, for example, to write the vows. I know from experience that married couples often delay to the last minute, so the majority probably haven’t done that yet. Now they can really take the time to do this right, with the necessary guidance. You’ll also find everything in the box to create a timeline of their relationship. From the day they met, until today. All the important moments will be revealed. In this way, I hope that they can see that this wedding date is just a day in a long, beautiful history that is far from over. This original wedding date comes to the timeline as a beautiful day, followed by a big party with all the trimmings.’Another regular part of a classic wedding party is a photo shoot of the happy couple. “Although I try to doubt that all of a sudden all the brides take care of their own hairstyle and make-up,” Nadine begins, “you can basically take pictures in a park. I don’t see everyone doing it, but it could work for those who make it creative.’Even in the evening it can easily get cozy in corona times. Kimberley saw on Instagram that wedding planner Margot van Tabloo Margot had set up her glamping tent in the garden, as a surprise to her birthday man. “This can definitely be done to replace the booked hotel room and make you feel like you’re away from home for both of us.” All good and good, making it cozy together with the two of them. But isn’t a wedding just about sharing all your love happiness with your loved ones? You can also look up this sense of belonging in this isolation. “People clearly need more of it at this time,” says Eline. “Just look at the birthdays now: people come to the door much more often than they used to?” The classic wedding party can already provide clues for this, says Nadine. ‘They’ve seen people who can’t be there on the big day to replace them send a message to the couple. What’s stopping the invitees from organizing themselves so that they can record a video together, but still separated?’ Virologists regularly present digital alternatives to real encounters, but not everyone is equally enthusiastic about them. Technical issues and the fact that you have to wait until it’s your turn to speak occasionally lead to occasional lyrical activities in group conversations. Those who prefer not to do so on their wedding day can explore other ways to connect with the outside world without the risk of infection. “Why don’t you use your wedding day to write tickets and go under the door and sit down with friends and family or post it? This may soon be back in your decorated car, with which you can drive around and wave anywhere. That’s how you’re a little connected on your big day.” Kimberley sees this connection even bigger. She currently offers take-out catering on some days a week. Instead, she is looking for couples whose party can’t go on. ‘I want to cook and deliver a couple’s menu every month so they can still eat their menu – in a more exclusive way.’ Not only can the couple lick their fingers, but other people who live in Ghen and the surrounding area can also order the menu of Jan and Annelies. Anyone who saw their party fall into the water can forward their menu and who knows it will be Kimberley’s choice. “I’m looking forward to all the beautiful things that will come out of it.” Eline doesn’t expect wedding parties to continue in their usual form anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean they should all be completely postponed. Enter wedding planners and their ideas: “If we are allowed to go outside again this summer, I will be fully committed to exclusive outdoor experiences. For example, I found a lake with a raft on it that you can have dinner with on the water. I will do it very personally every time. For example, when preparing, the couple doubted between strawberry cake and chocolate cake for dessert, and chose the latter because they thought their guests would find it best? Then they get the other cake on their original wedding day. Glamping also offers many possibilities. I find it funny to think a bit more creatively.” In any case, these scenarios are not for tomorrow. Those who would get married in the coming weeks are still allowed to do so, but should celebrate in the rooms of their room. And how does that feel, such a wedding in a small circle? Experience expert René Vermeulen knows that it is very cosy. He married his Barbara at a time when pandemics were mainly fodder for hard film scenarios, with her son Peer as the only guest. “After our wedding, we started eating very extensively. After that, I flew into a locker room to make a movie so we could also inform our family and friends about what we did,” he laughs. “I would give the ultimate tip: Enjoy it. Because now you get something that falls away on many other wedding days: really time to spend with the person you want to share the rest of your life with.”