At Amulet Events I, Nadia, am an experienced destination wedding planner, specialising in intimate, adventurous celebrations. I work in epic and dream worthy locations across the Alps (French, Swiss and Austrian), rugged Nordic destinations such as Iceland and Finland, and more. As of late, however, the situation the world finds itself in has presented new challenges for everyone, particularly those planning a wedding.
With each week that passes it becomes increasingly clear that the current COVID-19 pandemic will continue to affect our lives for quite some time to come. You’re probably here because, most notably and like many, the effects of the virus have disrupted your wedding plans. Fear not, I’m here to offer my thoughts and advice on how weddings will be different in the aftermath of the Coronavirus outbreak, but also how I am confident that the destination weddings you’ve always dreamed of are still a possibility. If you’ve never considered an intimate adventure wedding before now, this may also give you some inspiration in the current global climate. Keep reading for my 5 thoughts on destination weddings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Benefits of Smaller Weddings
Intimate celebrations, micro weddings, small gatherings…whatever you want to call them, they are my forte! The majority of weddings I plan at Amulet are intimate ceremonies with just the couple and a small group of their loved ones, or elopements. It seems that even as restrictions are eased throughout the coming months, the guidance about social distancing looks set to remain in place for a long while yet. The benefit of intimate destination weddings and outdoor ceremonies is that, once allowed, they can adhere to social distancing rules if well planned. If you’ve always thought your wedding would have hundreds of guests, this could be food for thought – you need to think about what is important to you, and if your overwhelming priority is simply the desire to marry the person you love then what better time to consider a smaller-scale celebration, or even an elopement? Large parties can (and will!) be held when the country is finally in a place to lift restrictions, and imagine what a knees-up it would be with your new husband or wife!
2. Expert Destination Knowledge
If you are dreaming of a destination wedding but the process of planning it seems daunting, it’s likely that the uncertainties attached to the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated your concerns. To this I say, let the experts help you out (that’s me!). If you hire a wedding planner who is experienced and knowledgeable about planning weddings in your country of choice, this comes with a level of security and total ease of planning. I have strong relationships with luxury properties in breathtaking locations, and work with only the very best handpicked local suppliers. Your planning package includes all the essential elements of your day and takes the stress right out of the planning journey. If you choose to work with me on your destination wedding you are safe in the knowledge that I know how to plan an epic celebration in a number of stunning destinations, including but not limited to the Alps (Swiss, French and Austrian), Finland and Iceland.
3. The Importance of Adventure
‘If happiness is the goal – and it should be, then adventures should be top priority’. This quote from Richard Branson really sums up where I’m going in this section. I am a specialists in adventure weddings, and I believe that creating memories and having in-depth, meaningful experiences with your loved ones should be a top priority for your celebration. What better time to have the epic, too-good-to-be-true feeling of skiing down a Swiss mountain or hiking through an Icelandic blue ice cave with your favourite people in the world, than on your wedding day? In my opinion this is so much more valuable than overspending on decor and splashing out on grandeur. After all, the things you and your guests remember the most will have nothing to do with what colour your napkins were! My bespoke services promote exactly this – meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences for you and your loved ones that you will remember and cherish forever.
4. Travel Security and Restrictions
At the time of writing this blog there are currently huge restrictions on global flights, and once airlines begin to open there will be changes in the way we travel. Rest assured though, it will again be possible for me to fly out to your dream destination with you to create your jaw-dropping, far-flung wedding. When this does happen, it’s important you have someone on your team who has access to the inside information about up-to-date travel security information and any restrictions that may be in place. If you choose Amulet Events to help plan your intimate destination wedding after COVID-19, I will provide you with the assurance that I am in the loop about all the dull travel stuff you simply don’t need to be worrying about!
5. Cleanliness and Hygiene Standards
In the aftermath of COVID-19 we will be more aware than ever of the importance of cleanliness and hygiene standards at places we visit. This is something I at Amulet can take great pride in handling, as within my bespoke services, all venues and suppliers are all handpicked by me for their high standards and excellent service. Your venue, accommodation, catering and beverage suppliers have been personally chosen as vendors I have a good working relationship with and trust to deliver in all the aspects you need for a safe wedding celebration. This is so important when planning a wedding abroad, particularly if there is a language barrier or guidelines and standards are implemented differently! With an experienced destination wedding planner on board, you can be sure your intimate wedding will go off without a hitch.
6. Bonus Point!
I’ve sneaked this last one in here because I felt it was so important to add. Hiring a personable planner is more helpful now than ever, as there has been so much uncertainty and a lack of clarity in so many people’s lives for the last few weeks. Amulet Events provides a personal, friendly service to hold your hand throughout the planning process, as well as giving informed advice and support to ensure everything comes together smoothly. Don’t underestimate the great comfort of having somebody on your team who knows how to pull together an epic destination celebration, particularly when things are less than normal! If you’re considering planning an intimate destination wedding and love the idea of an Alpine or Nordic location, get in touch with me here for a free, no obligation consultation. I really believe in the value of bespoke, adventurous weddings with a focus on creating special memories in beautiful places – if you love my ethos, I’d be delighted to start talking about your plans.
If you are planning for a sustainable, zero-waste and ethical wedding; feel free to check out this guide: The Guide to Sustainable, Zero-Waste, Ethical Weddings
With thanks to Ultima, Octola and Wild Connections Photography for images.