Annapolis' oldest event co., Rentals to Remember, recently hosted a styled shoot to show brides and grooms what a safe socially distant wedding could look like. In lieu of models, the shoot featured local business owners and their representatives from the Historic William Paca House & Garden, Ken's Creative Kitchen, Davis Group, Hamilton Photography, Studio H Flowers, and Honeywood Rentals, as well as Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley. "The whole point was consumer confidence," Rentals to Remember general manager Christopher Yapur says. "Everyone's concerned about how they're going to throw a party and whether they should even have one, so we wanted to bring a group of local vendors together to brainstorm how to minimize risk while still having fun," adds Yapur. Here are their best tips:
1. Make your ceremony a 360-degree experience.
To keep distance between guests during the ceremony, Yapur suggests a round or half-circle seating layout, which allows for breathable space and optimal views of the proceedings.
Hamilton Photography
2. Coordinate masks and event linens.
Masks might not be a style staple, but they are a necessary accessory. Streamline the look of servers and other staff by renting masks in the same pattern and style as table linens. (Rentals to Remember uses hospital-grade cleaner on all of their mask rentals, so there's no need to worry about cross-contamination.)
Hamilton Photography
3. Sanitize your tablescape.
Table settings should be rolled into napkins to limit exposure, Yapur says. Another way to encourage good hygiene is by providing monogrammed hand sanitizer for each guest.
Hamilton Photography
4. Stagger guests' arrival times.
To manage the guest count or limit exposure for high-risk guests, Yapur suggests organizing guests into shifts. Guests can attend the reception or ceremony in shifts, which allows the hosts to invite more people overall and enjoy more focused interactions.
Hamilton Photography
5. Be flexible with flowers.
With the pandemic upending the global flower market, florists are facing limited options when it comes to bouquets and other arrangements, says Studio H Flowers owner Melissa Huston. "Some varieties might not be available, so I'm researching substitutions that will give clients the look they want," she adds.
Hamilton Photography
6. Seat guests by household or locality.
Smaller tables are the rule now, which can provide some relief when it comes to planning. "Instead of spending hours stressing over a seating chart, we're encouraging clients to seat people as they are gathered," Yapur says.
Hamilton Photography
7. Select a plated menu.
Buffet-style dining is risky business; instead, caterers recommend serving plated meals with covers. Ken's Creative Kitchen will place all the appetizers together on a plate, offered to guests individually when they pick up a drink.
Hamilton Photography
8. Consider alternative seating.
Rentals to Remember's bowtie table is a sophisticated, low-contact solution for the covid-19 reception. "It's designed for social distancing," Yapur explains, "allowing guests to sit close while far enough away."
Hamilton Photography
9. Build a love wall.
With receiving lines and traditional caresses off-limits, guests' options for physical touch are restricted. Fortunately, Yapur came up with the "love wall," a creation that allows high-risk individuals to hug through a non-breathable, polyethylene sheet. Besides providing a safe way to embrace, the love wall can serve as a sweet memento, offering a space for guests to write love notes to the newlyweds.
Hamilton Photography
10. Keep it outside.
As states reopen, the best way to ensure events are safe is to rent a tent or use an outdoor venue. Yapur recommends keeping the guest list small and maximizing the quality, instead of the quantity, of experience.
Hamilton Photography
Produced by the Davis Group in Washington, DC, and New York City, Diner en Blanc is a pop-up French-inspired picnic held in 80 cities around the world, where more than 5,000 strangers gather in a secret, iconic location, disclosed only moments before the event start. Guests dress in all white and bring stunning table settings of white as well. Beyond the spectacle and elegance of the evening, guests are brought together from diverse backgrounds to dine, drink and dance as the evening unfolds.
// Credits
Catering: Ken's Creative Kitchen // Florals: Studio H Flowers // Photography: Hamilton Photography // Rentals: Rentals To Remember, Honeywood Rentals // Venue: William Paca House & Garden // Diner en Blanc Coordinator: The Davis Group
Hamilton Photography
