Asking Your Vendors About Vaccinations | Surviving Wedding Planning | Boston Wedding Photographer
COVID has created a lot of contention in wedding planning, since couples don't want to remember their wedding day surrounded by masks but also may not want to turn their day into a super spreader event.
As larger weddings start to come back to the hotel ballrooms and country clubs, many couples in Boston and New England are struggling with what to do about mitigating the risks of COVID transmission. No one dreams of saying “I do” in their N95, but conversations around vaccinations can be fraught and it’s already hard enough to find the right vendors for your wedding without throwing another obstacle in the way.
But more than ever, weddings are about bringing together your community and celebrating one of life’s great milestones. Some of those people are going to be especially vulnerable (young children, people with an array of health issues, and the elderly) and you want to protect them. There are plenty of articles on how to handle your guests - all about card checks and special bracelets, to try and ensure that everyone is able to find their comfort level - but how do you handle your Boston wedding photographer? Your DJ? Or your officiant?
Be direct - We all have that one uncle (or 10 uncles and aunts) where saying the wrong thing can lead to a very uncomfortable 45-minute rant when you’re cornered in the kitchen and awkward Thanksgiving Dinners for years to come. There’s a lot less risk of that when it comes to dealing with vendors, so please be upfront about your concerns and the precautions you’d like to take.
Be understanding - While you may want to be direct about what you’re planning, there are always exceptions and mitigating circumstances. If you don’t have a hard line, there’s room to discuss risk levels and mitigation; for example, I was able to stay distanced and masked for events in 2020 and early 2021 prior to my vaccine eligibility (and I stayed masked for events where it was requested by the couple or otherwise appropriate).
Ultimately your vendors are there to provide a service, and it’s okay to walk away if they can’t commit to providing that service in a safe and responsible manner. What are you asking of your vendors to help mitigate the risks at your New England wedding?
Ryan Richardson is a wedding and engagement photographer serving Boston and beyond; including Cape Cod Weddings, New England Weddings, Massachusetts Weddings and Rhode Island Weddings.