Welcome to Our Wedding Blog
Working with your Wedding Officiant - May 19, 2020
The 2020 Wedding Season has been a challenge due to the unexpected impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the social distancing restrictions that resulted from it. But before you postpone or cancel your wedding, and depending on where you are in New York State or what phase in your region weddings can take place, it's important to communicate with your wedding vendors, including your priest, minister, rabbi or Wedding Officiant (which is what we are). We suggest choosing to scale down and have a mini or micro wedding (under 50 guests) now and then celebrate with a bigger reception at a later date or next year when it is safe to do so. We will talk about mini or micro weddings in a later Blog.
First, it's important that you reach out to your wedding reception venue right away, don't wait for them to contact you to determine if they are still waiting to see what the guidelines are before they decide to open or remain closed. Some venues are offering back-up dates in the Fall (October, November, December), so you will want to look into that. Also, find out what dates are available for 2021 and 2022 as many couples will move their wedding into next year and beyond.
Second, don't wait to contact your other wedding vendors to let them know what you're thinking or that you may be making a change of plans. You'll need to determine if they are available for your new date or how flexible they are with helping you to scale your wedding back. Some wedding vendors still have dates open in the Fall 2020 Season and also 2021 and 2022.
Third, and most important is don't neglect working with your Wedding Officiant. We know that planning your wedding can be challenging and stressful in the best of times, even before the recent Covid-19 events. However, many couples who are not choosing a church, chapel or temple wedding, and don't want a City Hall wedding, will want a Wedding Officiant to perform their ceremony. Too often the ceremony is the last thing a couple thinks about and more stress is added searching for an Officiant to marry them in a short time - the truth is the Officiant should be one of the first vendors you book. Book your Venue/Caterer, Officiant, Photographer, DJ, Bakery and Florist early on to ensure you find the right vendors for you and they're available for your date. Once you have chosen the right Wedding Officiant for your ceremony, get to know them, and let them get to know you so that they can write a beautiful and meaningful ceremony that reflects who you are as a couple. As your wedding officiants, it's important to communicate with us during your wedding planning process. We know that communication and careful planning is key to ensuring your wedding ceremony is special and memorable, We want your ceremony to be beautiful for you, we are here for you. After all, your wedding ceremony is the most important part of your day - and your as Wedding Officiant we're here to marry you!
We are looking forward to the current public health crisis ending soon and to making your wedding ceremony beautiful and magicial for you and your loved ones. Until then, we are here to answer any questions. Be safe, Be Healthy, Be Well, Revs. Mark & Elaine Crandall