South Florida likes to party; now there is a new look for weddings during COVID.

More glam, fewer invitations highlight weddings during the pandemic

Veronica Crespo, Digital Journalist
Published: June 7, 2021 8:42 am. Updated: June 7, 2021 9:50 am

Wedding planner Melissa Davis consults with bride and groom during covid era wedding (Courtesy Photographer Stacey Ambrosio)

MIAMI – South Florida remains the ultimate destination for weddings, no matter the season. With fancy rooms and planners ready to celebrate again, what does a wedding look like in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic?”We are seeing that many weddings are smaller and more intimate; Instead of a typical 100-person wedding, we’re seeing a lot of weddings with around 30 or so people,” said Robert Egert of North Miami-based Exquisite Catering and Events.

Melissa Davis of Melissa Davis Designs, a Miami wedding planner, agrees, saying that many of her clients shortened their guest lists and increased the glam.

“Those who wanted to get married in 2020 chose to style their wedding in a very different way. As we planned and coordinated, the guest count changed, of course,” Davis said.

That trend continues into 2021. And with new dollars in their budgets, many couples are planning much more luxurious weddings. The pandemic has also forced couples to consider mid-week dates for their big day.

Since many weddings had to be rescheduled in 2020, Fridays and Saturdays were quickly overbooked. So couples are saving a lot of money by booking Tuesday and Wednesday.

Roxy Quevedo of Zeta Event Productions said many of her clients are adding eye-catching extras like sparkling fonts, which they might not otherwise be able to afford when the number of guests was higher.

Sparkle fountain wedding extra during coronavirus era wedding (Courtesy Victoria Machin Photography)

“Some are spending a little more on fancy extras because now they can,” Quevedo said.

For the guests, the halls look very different. There are now limits on the number of guests allowed at each table, and it is recommended that members of the same families sit together.

“Most of our locations require us to have 50% capacity,” Davis said. Many have also had requirements for the use of masks for guests and staff.

But the dishes and food selections remain the same. Many couples still choose the buffet concept, but with modifications.

Charcuterie table (Courtesy: Exquisite Catering by Robert)

“We’re still seeing a lot of people selecting the buffet option, with that, we make sure our staff have the proper protective gear and that there are enough staff members present to ensure food is served safely and efficiently.” Egert adds.

Increasing the number of guests, reaching as many as 300 for outdoor weddings, is becoming more common in late 2021 and early 2022. That’s promising news for vendors who had a rough year in 2020..

“We are seeing that people really want to get back to normal as soon as possible, which reflects the trends that we are currently seeing with these events. I am very hopeful for the future of weddings,“We are seeing that people really want to get back to normal as soon as possible, which reflects the trends that we are currently seeing with these events. I am very hopeful for the future of weddings, ”said Egert.  said Egert.

Shrimp appetizer (Courtesy: Exquisite Catering by Robert)

Madeline and Tyler wed at Faena during covid pandemic (Courtesy Photographer Stacey Ambrosio)

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