Wedding tips forĀ Coronavirus season in Singapore
Image adapted from: The Wedding Cottage, @beautifulguiltypleasuresxc
Some of us spend all our lives dreaming of our wedding day, which is why contingency plans are a must-have – after all, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. Unfortunately, apart from dealing with possible rainy weather, last-minute seat reshuffling, or any other mishaps, Singaporean couples getting married inĀ 2020Ā now have another issue to tackle in the midst of wedding planning: the dreadedĀ Coronavirus or COVID-19.
But of course, the show must go on. Before you start despairing, chin up – here are someĀ wedding tipsĀ so you can power through as a couple and make the most of your special day withĀ minimalĀ lossesĀ despite the virus.
Some of these tips might also prove to be useful for other large-scale events, such as birthday parties or company dinners.
1. Ask your vendors if it’s possible to postpone the date
Image credit:Ā Hyatt
Putting down a wedding deposit means youāre sealing the deal, and in most cases, thereās little room for negotiation afterwards.
However, taking into account the Coronavirus situation, your vendors (hotel, makeup artist, photographers) should be reasonable enough to allow you toĀ postpone your weddingĀ if thatās something youāre considering – provided all of them are available on the proposed new date.
2. Check with your hotel or dinner location on precaution measures
Image credit:Ā De Hygienique
Your hotel and dinner banquet location should already be taking their ownĀ precaution measuresĀ – many hotels have stepped up to include mandatory temperature taking exercises at the reception desk, and some even have thermal screeners. Others provide sanitisers at the door.
Still, youād want to check with them on this just to be sure. Do also inquire on whether there will be additional cleaning measures put in place for the function rooms and your bridal suite.
3. Use disposable cups for Chinese tea ceremonies
Image credit:Ā The Wedding Cottage
Tea sets for Chinese wedding tea ceremonies usually come with 4 to 8 ceramic or porcelain cups, with the number of family members > the number of cups. As such, the teacups tend to be hastily wiped down, or dunked in water sans soap and reused as the ceremony continues. Bad luck if youāre the 5th person to use that one teacup – thatās a lot of lingering saliva and germs.
Keep it 100% hygienic this Coronavirus season by usingĀ disposable paper cupsĀ instead. Donāt worry about losing out on theĀ feels, because there are red and gold ones specially made for Chinese weddings, with the āåā double happiness symbol emblazoned on the sides.
The Chinese Wedding Shop, or any other store that specialises in products for traditional Chinese weddings.
4. Ask for single portions for your banquet instead of communal dishes
Image credit:Ā Empress
A traditional Chinese wedding dinner banquet typically involves shared dishes placed in the centre of the table for everyone to help themselves to. Thereās usually a serving spoon, but people tend to just tuck in using their own chopsticks and spoons – especially if seated with family or close friends.
Minimise the spread of germs through āsaliva sharingā by requesting for your restaurant to serve single plates to each attendee instead of communal dishes.
5. Request for guests to fill in a declaration form a week before the event
Just for extra peace of mind, consider getting your guests to fill in a DIYĀ declaration formĀ a week before your big event, detailing any recent travel history or symptoms of illness. You could do this online via a Google Form for ease of collation. If anything listed looks like a cause for concern, you might want to gently request for the guest in question to skip out on your wedding.
If youāve been given such a form as a guest, kindly respect the couple and be truthful in answering. Remember that such measures are only put into place in the best interests of everyone present.
6. Use a contactless thermometer to take guestsā temperatures before entry
Image adapted from:Ā TOMTOP
Unless youāre having an intimate affair involving only immediate family members, a wedding is a large-scale event where hundreds gather in one space. You might want to ask your bridesmaids or groomsmen to helpĀ take your guestsā temperaturesĀ at the reception table, right before they enter the hotel ballroom or church – just to double-check that no one is running a fever.
Specifically, youād want to invest in aĀ contactless infrared thermometer. It doesnāt need to come into direct contact with anyoneās skin – you simply hold the gun-shaped device up to their foreheads, and it detects their temperature in a jiffy.
Itās much faster, and more hygienic than using a regular oral thermometer.
7. Provide hand sanitisers, masks, or Vitamin C as wedding favours
Image credit:Ā @beautifulguiltypleasuresxc
If you havenāt already ordered your wedding favours, consider giving outĀ masksĀ orĀ pocket-sized hand sanitisersĀ to your guests.
You might have to order them online at jacked up prices since most physical stores here are out of stock. But theyāll make a timely and practical door gift, and you can bet that no one will āaccidentallyā leave them behind. Certainly beats mugs with your faces on them, thatās for sure.
If you canāt get enough for everyone, place a bottle ofĀ sanitiser on each tableĀ for guests to use, or at least on the reception table where your photo album is displayed.
Image credit:Ā Rochelle Cheever
An alternative is to give themĀ pill boxes, to remind them to stay healthy by taking vitamins. While youāre at it, you could also throw in a tube ofĀ Vitamin C tabletsĀ to go along with. If thatās out of stock as well, small bottles ofĀ fruit juiceĀ with personalised labels would work as well – itās rich in Vitamin C which helps boost immunity!
8. Compensate unused tables with F&B upgrades or use them on a separate date
Image credit:Ā Kaiting Hearts
If you have an upcoming wedding during this period, youāve probably seen your fair share of wedding guests backing out. Donāt be mad at them – theyāre just taking the necessary precautions to keep themselves away from the crowd.
In fact, you should be thankful that they were at least considerate enough to inform you beforehand instead of adding to the sudden-no-show list – this way, you can plan better, and rearrange your seating if needed.
Try to negotiate with your hotel onĀ reducing the number of tables, or compensating any unused tables withĀ upgradesĀ for better food or alcohol. Some hotels are even flexible to let you āuseā those excess tables on aĀ separate dateĀ – you can take this as an opportunity for a family meal, or to treat your sisters and bros whoāve tirelessly helped you through the wedding prep.
9. Pack home or donate untouched food from last-minute dropouts
Image credit:Ā RaselĀ
Inevitably, despite double-confirming everyoneās RSVPs, youāre going to have last-minute dropouts from your dinner banquet. This number might just make up entire tables – do be mentally prepared for that.
To avoid letting the untouched food youāve already paid for go to waste, catered or restaurant dinners usually allow you to dabao leftover food, which you can let your family and friends take home.
Alternatively, donate themĀ to welfare groups and charities likeĀ SG Food Rescue, and take heart in knowing that theyāll go towards feeding the needy.
10. Opt for heavier eye makeup if youāre masking up
Most brides wouldnāt want to walk down the aisle with their pretty faces covered, even in the wake of a pandemic – and thatās perfectly understandable. But some of you ladies might be masking up for extra safety. If thatās the case for you, make your look pop by asking for heavier eye makeup.
Learn from the J-Pop icons who use surgical masks as a fashion statement – singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu here is using flirty, fluttery lashes and warm brown contacts to let her eyes stand out.
Image credit:Ā @kyarypappa
Usually, bridal eye makeup isnāt too crazy as itās balanced out with contouring, lipstick, and blusher. But if only your eyes are visible, you can afford to go more over the top with thicker eyeliner, longer falsies, and even eye-enlarging coloured contacts. Ultimately, you want your peepers to be the main focal point of your look, despite the mask.
11. Ask your MUA to use disposable makeup applicators and sponges
Image credit:Ā Annabel Law Productions
Ideally, your makeup artist should already be wearing aĀ mask, given that the process of getting someone dolled up requires close physical proximity. Do have a spare mask on standby in the event that she doesnāt have one on her.
She should alsoĀ wash or sanitise her handsĀ before starting her work. If youāve hired her to settle makeup for your bridesmaidsā, mum, or mum in law as well, ensure that she not only sanitises her hands before each new person, but also usesĀ aĀ newĀ set of disposable applicatorsĀ and spongesĀ each time. Makeup brushes come into direct contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth area, all of which are points where germs can easily transmit.
Coronavirus wedding tips in Singapore
Everyone wants their wedding to go perfectly as planned, but fretting non-stop about it during this COVID-19 season wonāt help make the situation any better. We know itās easier said than done, but try to keep calm and take things one step at a time. Hopefully, these tips will help make everything easier to deal with despite current less-than-ideal conditions.
Most importantly, stay safe, and remember to enjoy the special occasion as much as you can!
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