Masks, gloves and gesture lines: Is this what weddings will be like post-lockdown?

Hundreds of thousands of couples have had their weddings affected after the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc all over the world.

According to The Knot, 92% of couples globally, whose weddings have been impacted by COVID-19, have decided not to cancel their big day and instead opted to go ahead with their plans either later this year or in 2021.

But with social distancing measures still in place and limits on the amount of guests couples can invite to celebrate with them, what will the new reality be for weddings of the future?

Health and safety first

While many couples usually think of cute ways they can personalise their wedding day with playlists of their favourite songs, chocolates, coffee beans or even succulents, the experts reckon that may change in the future.

Hand sanitiser may now be at the top of every bride and groom’s wish list on the day, with experts predicting they may choose to include little bottles of them as pre-wedding favours, in the welcome bags or even have a waitress handing them out on a silver tray.

Gloves and masks to become the norm

Forget your shoes being your hottest accessory at your wedding, because masks and gloves may well be the new wedding staple.

Not only do experts predict they will be offered to guests just like you would usually offer up a glass of Prosecco, but they also reckon couples may start coordinating the PPE with their overall wedding theme.

Open-air weddings

According to The Knot, couples who are in the early stages of planning their wedding should consider incorporating some open-air elements to their day so their guests don’t feel confined.

“For those who have chosen their venue already, couples will be more intentional with who they’re inviting and guests they’re grouping together at both the ceremony and reception dining tables,” Kristen Maxwell Cooper, editor in chief of The Knot said.

"Venues can anticipate an increased desire from couples to incorporate outdoor elements into their wedding celebrations, such as small, carefully placed lounge furniture vignettes among blooming gardens and ambient lighting displays," said Melanie McAfee, owner of Barr Mansion, Ballroom and Farmstand.

"Additionally, wedding venues that have more than one space dedicated to weddings—perhaps a tented outdoor site along with an indoor ballroom with an adjacent open-air terrace—may opt to leverage all the spaces on their grounds for one celebration, allowing couples and their guests to spread out more than normal."

Shorter ceremonies and socially-distanced seats

Wedding ceremonies may be about to get a whole lot shorter post-lockdown, limiting the amount of time people are in close proximity to each other. Socially-distanced seating could well become the norm and wedding officiants might request the bride and groom stand further away from them during the ceremony.

Gesture Lines

Greeting the bride and groom with a congratulatory hug and kiss may be how we’re used to acting at weddings, but according to experts, that’s all about to change.

Couples may opt to instead have a gesture line, which could see the guests in a socially-distanced line winking or waving at the newlyweds instead.

Weekday weddings

Many couples are being flexible when rescheduling their wedding date and weekdays are not out of the question.

In order to make sure all their vendors are still available on their new date, couples are opting for Thursday, Friday and Sunday weddings.

Live-streaming for faraway loved ones

For many people, rescheduling their wedding may mean a lot of their guests won’t be able to make it to their big day due to either being uncomfortable traveling or being in large crowds.

Many couples may choose to live stream the day and any wedding-related events, like bucks and hen parties.

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