Black Tie Optional, Vaccination Required
In these uncertain times of love and weddings in the time of Covid, couples are forging forth and getting married. No more rescheduling for them! So how to make sure that your guests are safe and at minimum risk for getting the dreaded disease that we have all come to know and hate?
Mask-wearing has become the norm, but eating, drinking and merry-making render it virtually impossible if not uncomfortable. That’s why couples are including separate cards, or messages on accompanying cards, that discuss something the nature of which, in another day and time, would have been considered tacky or even taboo.
So what do people say in their messages? I’ve had a myriad of iterations on accompanying cards that run the gamut from this:
PLEASE, ALL GUESTS MUST BE VACCINATED
To this:
PLEASE COMPLETE AN AT-HOME COVID TEST ON OUR WEDDING DAY.
A NEGATIVE TEST RESULT IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND.
To this:
FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE COVID REQUIREMENTS,
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE
To even all this:
FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL, WE ASK THAT GUESTS BE
UP TO DATE ON COVID-19 VACCINATIONS.
WE CONSIDER INDIVIDUALS UP TO DATE IF THEY HAVE RECEIVED
BOTH AN INITIAL SERIES OF VACCINATIONS AND A COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOT
AS SOON AS THEY ARE ELIGIBLE.
ADDITIONALLY, WE ASK THAT ALL GUESTS TAKE A RAPID ANTIGEN COVID TEST
72 HOURS BEFORE THE WEDDING.
PLEASE CHECK OUR WEDDING WEBSITE REGULARLY AS WE WILL BE PROVIDING
UPDATES AND GUIDANCE ON OUR COVID PROTOCOLS.
And yes, to this, on the invitation:
BLACK TIE OPTIONAL, VACCINE REQUIRED
And lots of other versions in between.
Couples have their ways of informing their guests, and I rarely tell them to “rank it up” or “scale it down.” Everyone has his or her way of communicating this important and ultimately necessary message.
Alternatively, if couples don’t feel the need to mention Covid at all, this is their right and wish, and again, I don’t question it. Most often, however, I do ask about it when we are doing the invitation wording and finalizing details.
Of course, you cannot know just how rampant or dormant Covid will be when your wedding day arrives. Cottage industries abound, and one of the latest is a set-up where your guests are tested for Covid as they arrive at your wedding. An independent company is on-site to ensure a healthy environment and peace of mind for you and your guests, even as some guests may be turned away.
The new reality is just that – the new reality. It doesn’t feel good, festive, or happy. But neither does getting sick after attending a really fun wedding.
So, if you’re a guest, take it in stride. If you’re a bride or groom, take stock in knowing you’re doing your very best to keep your friends and family safe and healthy as they celebrate with you on the best day of your life!