So… over here we have dubbed this the Bug-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named, although maybe calling it a Dementor would be more fitting.
And while it might feel like all the joy is being sucked out of your reception, we’re here to help you find your Patronus. (omg I have wanted to do an HP intro to a blog post for a long time! yay!)
Even with the recent Phase 2 updates to wedding guidelines here in Washington State, receptions are going to look different. We want to break it down for you and give you some alternative ideas to the normal reception traditions.
This article is reflective to the current wedding reception guidelines for Phase 2 Regions as of March 10, 2021. There is no released path, guidelines or information for Phase 3 as of this date.
What does a Phase 2 Wedding Reception* look like?
*as of the date of this blog post.
This part is going to get really serious – but the rules are what allow us to even have weddings, so it’s very important that they’re followed. Your wedding has to comply by the mandates in place on your event date, or we will not legally be able to photograph your event. Yes, this does mean you need to prepare your guests for the rules in place.
Your venue can have 25% of capacity up to 200 guests (whichever is less, and not including vendors). Stipulations are that they have to be able to maintain social distancing between household groups within that guest count.
When planning your ceremony or general mingling areas, keep these guides in mind for your social distancing:
* Indoor weddings: you can have groups of 10 maximum, from a total of 2 households;
* Outdoor weddings: you can have groups of 15 maximum, from a total of 2 households.
- Masks.
Everyone has to wear masks. These rules apply for indoor and outdoor weddings. We have an in-depth post about masks at weddings here.
The wedding couple may remove their masks for their first dance, but they must wear them for the parent dances.
Guests can remove their masks while eating or drinking at their table. They can also now mingle and play yard games, eat and drink during cocktail hour while standing (sans masks) and play lawn games. Read the updates here.
BONUS: Guests do not masked when they’re seated at their tables – so they won’t be in masks in your photos! - Socially Distancing.
Yes, you do have to maintain a minimum of 6ft of distance between groups of people, including while at tables (or have a physical barrier between tables). - Tabled Seating.
This must comply by restaurant seating guidelines. Table size is maximum of 6 people from a maximum of two households. Tables must be a minimum of 6ft apart or have a physical barrier or wall between tables.
BONUS: Guests do not masked when they’re seated at their tables – so they won’t be in masks in your photos! - Dancing.
Dancing IS allowed (we did not expect to have this in 2021) with a maximum of 6 people on the dance floor at a time but they must be socially distanced (unless from the same household).
Parent dances and first dances are allowed. The couple does not need to be masked for their first dance, but the parties must be masked for parent dances, unless they live in the same household. One dance may happen at a time for these dances (cannot combine mother/son and father/daughter dances).
BONUS: Guests do not masked when they’re seated at their tables – so they won’t be in masks in your photos! - Music/Live Entertainment.
Music and live entertainment is permitted but must follow the live entertainment guidance. This also includes Emcee of Events and DJs. Based on these guidelines, there is a 3 hour time limit and there must be a minimum of 20ft between the performers and guests. Please make sure you check the guidelines for more details as they’re very in-depth. - Food/Desserts.
You can serve food, but you (or your caterer) must comply with restaurant and bar guidelines (maximum of 25% capacity). Based on the complexity of the guidelines we recommend you hire a licensed caterer or bartender to ensure compliance. There are strict rules about serving, individual packaging, and more.
- Photos.
Couple photos can be unmasked.
* Indoor group portrait capacity is capped at 25%, up to 75 people, whichever is fewer.
* Outdoor group portraits allow up to 75 people maximum.
* Mask removal is only allowed during the actual taking of the photo.
* Photographers must ensure that clients from different households maintain six feet of distancing at all times, including during the taking of the photograph itself.
Read the photo guidelines here.
So… now for some Wedding Reception activity alternatives.
1. Mini Dance Floors
The rule is 6 people to a dance floor, socially distanced or all from the same household right? Create mini dance floors in several spots in your reception space – just make sure they’re far apart (think at least 20 ft)! That way, you can have multiple groups dancing at a time, just not together, and nowhere near each-other.
2. Shoe Game
If you’ve been to a wedding in the last decade, chances are you’ve seen this game. You play by sitting back to back and each holding one shoe of your own and one shoe of your partners. Then, your emcee asks questions. You hold up the shoe for who the question best fits. It’s usually a great game to bring on the laughs and have a little friendly banter.
3. Trivia
This can be a great interactive game – and sometimes at weddings past it’s been used as a way to dismiss tables to the buffet line. The emcee asks questions of the couple before the wedding, and then quizzes the guests. When the answer is right, that guest’s table normally would get excused for dinner, but in the socially distanced reception, guests could win prizes (raffle or digital style) or it could be done just for fun.
4. Table Board Games & Puzzles
A fun addition to your reception could be board games at each table. When you send out your invitations, you can include a question about their favorite board or card games (much like song requests) on the RSVP card and then try to have those games at their table.
Yard Games are now ok too!
5. Professional Performers
One of our favorite wedding receptions happened pre-pandemic, and it featured amazing circus style performers including a Cyr, and a visit from Master Chief of Halo. They were huge hits with the guests as well, and it was a wedding to remember.
6. Outdoor Movie Theater
Who doesn’t love the movies?!? Up until now, it’s been a fun addition to show a short movie about each parties life and then the couples life together, but why not step it up and show one of your favorite movies outdoor movie style? Set up lounge areas for socially distancing, set up a projector and screen, have pre-packaged popcorn for favors and after dark the show begins!
7. Bingo with Digital Prizes
Throwing it back to old school elementary or future senior living homes, get down with some bingo! Each guest has a board and their own markers at their seat, and the emcee calls. Prizes can be digital, or it can be just for fun.
8. Music Quiz
This is one of our favorite past times with our Alexa – it’s fun to play against other people guessing the artist and the song for points. The basic premise: the DJ plays a short section of a song and the table works together to guess the artist & song.
Each correct guess is worth 10 points (10 for artist, 10 for song). You can even do final elimination rounds, where correct guesses are worth 20 points (20 for artist, 20 for song), and knock off those who guess incorrectly. The prize can be anything from first table on the dance floor, to first table to be served dessert, etc.
9. Dance-off
Another fun activity is a dance off. Since the rules state that only the guests from a single table can be on the dance floor at a time, you could “score” groups by cheering for each table as they get up and dance. A little rivalry between tables is always fun.
10. Picnic Time (or High Tea)
This can be a fun twist – set up each table as a picnic space, and you could even have a few blankets strewn on the venues lawn areas set up as picnic space as well. This can be done for either appetizers, dinners or desserts.
For high tea, have mistmatched teacups, several hot water stations throughout the venue with touchless access, and lots of tea options. Back at the guest tables, serve high tea treats in mini-charcuterie style.
11. Tabletop Ice Cream Sundae Bar
We all love ice cream, and what a fun way to individualize dessert. Food and dessert trucks are still a go, so you can hire an ice cream truck and have all the fixings available in cute bowls at each table (so they never have to share utensils with others).
12. Individual Drink Tastings
When you go out to breweries or wineries, you can often get a tasting flight – same premise here. Set up small shot glass size tastings at each table setting for a cute touch that adds some personal flair.
13. Tabletop Dessert Bar
Like above with the ice cream, a cute spin on desserts is using them as centerpieces. You can build a “dessert bar” on each table with individually packaged sweets and treats.
14. Concert
If the phase allows (it currently does) for live bands during your reception, hire one and sit back and enjoy the concert! Just remember that any guests need to be at least 20ft from any singers.
15. Pictionary or Charades
This can be done per table or as a large group (just have a new pen for each artist). The Emcee lets the artist or actor know what they’re acting out, and then the artist can remove their own paper after they’re done drawing. Super easy way to keep things distanced and safe.
16. Murder Mystery Game
Many of us loved playing Clue or even watching Knives Out … why not host a Murder Mystery reception? Purchase a kit, make sure you adapt it for your area’s mandates (super simple, very few of these kits require any group mingling), and have fun!
17. Firework Show
If your venue allows for it you can have a fireworks show. We highly recommend hiring pros for this, but it can be an awesome touch for your wedding reception.
18. Poker and Black Jack
Set up a Vegas-style reception with tabletop games like poker and black jack, and play amongst your table group (each table uses it’s own deck of cards and one of them is the dealer).
19. Table Painting
This pandemic-friendly activity can work as a guest book, too! You can add a single canvas to each table and invite your guests to create a collaborative art piece (and sign it) for your home. Supply each guest with paints and paintbrushes (and wet wipes) and watch their creativity fly!
20. Selfie Stations
Let’s put a socially distanced reception spin on an old favorite. There are now several touchless photobooth options on the market. However, many couples are simplifying and setting up touch-free “sets” (without props) throughout their venue and having guests use their own cell phones and post the images under a specific hashtag.
Traditional photobooths are now ok too!
