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Kristin
Devoted October 2020

Outdoor weddings during Covid

Kristin, on August 22, 2020 at 1:29 PM Posted in Planning 0 10

Our wedding is set for October 10th with anywhere from 15-23 guests- mostly family and a few close friends. Some guests, if they confirm, will be likely travelling by plane. Both our ceremony and reception will be outdoors at my fiance's parents house which is on a couple acres so can easily social distance. While we will have masks available and hand sanitizer all around, we've been finding out 'rules' that his parents are instilling without telling us about them. It started with them insisting we have a full floor in the tent, which is honestly our biggest expense thus far. They don't want people in their house so they've designated one powder room for all the guests-fine, we completely understand and the other day we found out through his sister that want everyone to wear masks outside. The rules aren't what's upsetting us but rather that they aren't speaking to us directly about it-we are finding out through other people.

We would never want to put anyone at risk and want to have a safe celebration for everyone. We just don't know what to do at this point. We're considering moving everything to our house instead, but I don't know how much that would solve. We're also discussing eloping. I just don't know what to do at this point.



10 Comments

Latest activity by Kristin, on August 23, 2020 at 10:27 AM
  • Lisa
    Rockstar July 2022
    Lisa ·
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    I would suggest having a conversation with them and tell them about their rules/restrictions that you heard about from other people. Ask them to define what all their rules are for their property, and then discuss with your fiance about whether you accept those restrictions, or whether it would be better to find an alternate location. If you do decide to move forward with your current plan of having your wedding on their property, also ask them to let you know if their rules change.
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  • Kristin
    Devoted October 2020
    Kristin ·
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    Thanks. We definitely intend to have a conversation with them. We need some time to figure out how we want to approach so we don’t come across in a negative way.
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  • Lisa
    Rockstar July 2022
    Lisa ·
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    Totally agree - I also wouldn't approach it in a negative way, more so just informative so that you hear all their rules directly from them. Maybe something along the lines of, "We want to make sure we follow any rules while on your property for our wedding. What restrictions should we be aware of?"


    It's odd that they haven't mentioned these directly to you, but hopefully a conversation with them clears it up.
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  • R
    Super September 2018
    Rachel ·
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    When you decided to get married on their property, did you ask what the conditions or rules were? If you haven’t yet asked them maybe you can ask if they’ve given it any thought or want to collaborate on some rules just to make sure you’re all on the same page. Just like any other paid, professional venue, your FILs should be able to set the rules and requirements for using their property. If they’ve never hosted a party of this size they’re probably just thinking about rules periodically as they think about the wedding rather than spending focused time on it. Requiring masks and a floor makes sense, for the protection and safety of the guests and their property (limiting the spread of COVID and people getting stuck or slipping in the grass/dirt/whatever).
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  • Sherri
    Devoted August 2020
    Sherri ·
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    They are being very helpful offering their place. I would, like another normal venue, have a meeting and go over the boundaries / rules. If you think of them like a Venue and not the in-laws, I think that will help change your mindset.

    Also, like any venue or human, we are changing and adapting almost daily to new regulations and best practices.


    Hang it there!
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  • Kristin
    Devoted October 2020
    Kristin ·
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    We never had a conversation about rules prior to planning because at the end of the day, it’s his parents and we’re all very close. We’re fine with rules-we just want to be included on their decisions so we can continue to plan and make arrangements accordingly.
    They entertain often but have never instilled the same regulations that they’re giving us and they’re actually hosting a party around the same size the weekend after our wedding.
    Their house, their choice so we completely understand and respect their decisions either way. We’re processing everything and will have a conversation with them soon to make sure they’re on the same page. We’re still very much considering moving the wedding to our house.
    Damn Covid.
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  • Kristin
    Devoted October 2020
    Kristin ·
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    Great advice! Thank you! You’re right, we’re not viewing them as our venue but as our parents, so we need to take the emotion out.
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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    Definitely sit down and talk to them
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  • R
    Savvy October 2020
    Risa ·
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    I sent to my bridesmaids, and plan to send to our in person guests an email listing all the ways we are working to make the wedding as safe as possible. What if you initiated with saying you'd want to write an email to your guests and just want to be on the same page with all the rules you'll be setting up so that you're working together on it.

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  • Kristin
    Devoted October 2020
    Kristin ·
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    My fiancé and I decided to move the wedding to our house. Ours is equally equipped to host a beautiful wedding it just won’t have all the bells and whistles like at their house. We weren’t comfortable telling some of our guests that they have to wear a mask and others don’t because they didn’t travel and that’s ultimately why we made our decision to change locations. His parents clearly weren’t comfortable with people being in their house and rightfully so, but because we are having our families get together the day before and a brunch the day after, it didn’t make sense to host at their house anymore if people wouldn’t be allowed in the house.
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