Celebrating and Social Distancing

Part 2 - Reception
​
Tips and Ideas to Keep People Healthy
​and Share an Amazing Moment

The reception is where all the hugs, dance moves and delicious food typically happens. Making that happen without touching, getting close to each other and while following your local guidelines can be tricky - but it doesn't have to be any less special! It is important that you take steps to avoid any stress on your guests and the two of you on your wedding day. If you're lucky you have put together an amazing team of pros who will help make this all come together, but just to be helpful here are a few tips we've put together to help you think through some logistics. 
As Texas releases more information on opening wedding venues and safe ways to celebrate we will continue sharing tips and ideas to help keep your wedding planning as simple as possible. For now here are some ideas to start your planning process based on the phase we are currently in. 
For the BEST up to date information be sure to check in with the CDC Guidelines and with your local or State policies and recommendations. Overall - guests, pros and families need to stay 6 foot apart when at all possible. ​If it is not possible, individuals should use a face covering, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, cleanliness, and sanitation should be rigorously practiced.
​
Okay so now that you know where to find the official good stuff, here are some tips and ideas to put it in action and to plan ahead. 

 SEATING
- Keep tables 6 feet or more apart
- No more than 6 people per table
- Seating Charts will keep things easy on your guests
- Consider changing things up and not serving a seated meal
- Place settings should be empty

Seating charts sound scary and like a pain to many brides or grooms planning - but at the end of the day it makes things very easy on your family and guests. As things slowly begin to open and grow towards normal tables should be limited to seat no more than 6 people and of course families will be seated together. That being said - seating charts? Should be a piece of cake! It also will let you make sure you have enough tables set. We recommend only seating families (living under the same roof) together if possible. 
Check out this photo above - it has seating for 6 and still looks amazing! Just because the layout may change a bit does not mean that your vision has to so don't lose hope - get excited about the unique twists you can put on your day!

CATERING
- Buffet lines must be served by catering staff
- Condiments: served by staff or in individual packets
- Flatware, plates and napkins should be at the buffet supervised during the day/event
- Use disposables if possible and do not reuse for refills
- Cake should be served by catering staff and sitting in the reception area

The cake may sound tricky - BUT we'll talk more about this in Part 3 so check it out!
Now, as for the seated meal we mention earlier.... Food stations are a HUGE trend right now and all you need are options that are easy to eat but maybe a little more elegant than "finger foods". Guests may not be able to scoop their own food (that's not very fun anyways right?), but you can turn it into an experience. Carving stations for meat, Chicken & Waffles station with a waffle iron, or even a stir fry station where guests name their toppings/vegetables and tossed right in front of them.
Dessert stations are a FUN way to do just what we're suggesting - locally we have Beth Marie's who always wows guests with a fun, unique service that will be sure to let everyone forget the distancing they are doing.
​By keeping the meal option versatile you can provide more cocktail tables and guests can easily spread out at a safe distance. At our venue, we often have couples utilize the outdoor areas on a regular basis with food and for photos. 

FLOOR PLAN
- Skip the dance floor - or create personal dance spaces
- Take things outside and enjoy the Texas air!
- Set up multiple buffet lines and bar service areas
​- Mark 6 foot lines at the bar, buffet and restroom to keep it easy on guests
- Remove the cake and any dessert tables

As guest counts are limited it gives more versatility in your floor pan! Consider adding a second bar - indoors or out to provide a second area for guests. Same goes for your buffet line, if your catering team can staff it then create two separate lines to decrease the wait time. For those bar and buffet lines - make sure you use appropriate materials but think of a way to easily mark where guests should stand and space from each other to keep the 6 foot distance.
Now we know skipping the dance floor can be a big bummer, but trust us- keeping people 6 feet away when the right song comes on is not easy. Especially if you get to work with amazing DJs like we do. Think of it this way though - everyone can get their own dance bubble thanks to that awesome table spacing you created, so when that song comes on they won't be able to get in a giant group huddle but they can still bust a move from a safe distance. 
PS - ask your professional DJ about the other activity options they have up their sleeve, there are some FUN options that can bring smiles to you and your wedding guests that you'll remember always.

 GENERAL HEALTH & SAFETY
- Have hand-sanitizer stations at every entrance, at the bar & at the buffet lines
- Post signs: "to have & to hold, from 6 feet apart"
​- ​Provide masks for guests and members of your wedding party that you may be within 6 feet of
- Event staff should wear masks and gloves
- Encourage all guests who have been ill, with a temperature over 100 degrees and are experiencing any of the symptoms listed here to stay home.

As the couple you two will want to make sure you have plenty of PPE including hand sanitizer for all your guests. Posting signs about keeping distances, hand washing, etc. and put your own spin on them to keep them light hearted and as a way to look back and laugh at this time.
We should all have a good idea by now that the goal is to stay 6 foot away and if it is not possible, individuals should use a face covering, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, cleanliness, and sanitation should be rigorously practiced. Providing masks for your wedding party or guests can be thoughtful and also make for a fun photo-opp. Since you'll need to stay 6 feet away from each other without one, why not have some custom made or pick a fun design.
​

---

Part 1 - Wedding Ceremony Tips During Social Distancing

Part 3 - Coming Soon!

---

Photos by
- Haley Katherine Photography (First Photo)
- Lauren Bloom Photography (Second and Fourth Photo)
- Blackall Photography (Third Photo)