What Does The COVID-19 Vaccine Mean For Weddings?
What Does The COVID-19 Vaccine Mean For Weddings? – The Real Truth
The COVID-19 vaccine is offering a glimmer of hope for engaged couples who are planning on tieing the knot in 2021. But what does the vaccine really mean for 2021 weddings? Will it mean everything gets back to normal “pre-pandemic normal”? Unfortunately, that is not the case. Here is the real truth on how the COVID-19 vaccine can impact weddings in 2021. Remember, over 300,000 Americans have lost their lives due to COVID-19, and with hundreds of thousands of new cases each day the pandemic is still a real threat.
Let’s Look At The Real Truth About The COVID-19 Vaccine
There is no doubt that the Coronavirus is one of the worst global pandemics we have seen in our lifetime. And it is a tricky little thing to manage. It is easily spread, affects each person differently, can have long-term side effects, is deadly to some while others never feel any symptoms at all. And when the “average” length of time to create and assess a vaccine is 10 – 15 years, it really makes us wonder about the safety and success of the COVID-19 vaccine. I mean come on, they made the COVID-19 vaccine in a matter of months! The normal practice of vaccine development includes tracking the effects for years, it really has us shaking our head at the COVID-19 vaccine development. But, now that this vaccine is available and inoculations are beginning does that mean that you can have a “normal wedding in 2021”?
Can 2021 Weddings be Normal With the COVID Vaccine
Well, the simple answer to that is NOPE!
Here’s how WebMD.com describes a vaccine “A vaccine forces your immune system to make antibodies against a specific disease, usually with a dead or weakened form of the germs. Then, if you come into contact with them again, your immune system knows what to do.” Ok, got it! Essentially it is similar to the Flu vaccine. But guess what! No one knows if having this vaccine just helps your symptoms to not be too bad or if you can still spread it to others that did not get vaccinated. And we all know people who get the flu vaccine and still end up with the flu, so how can we know anything about the real success of the COVID-19 vaccine in such a short time?
Image Source: Katie Harp
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease doctor in the country, said this in mid-December in order for society to return to its pre-COVID lifestyle we’d have to get 75 percent – 80 percent of the population vaccinated. He speculated. “If we do that, if we do it efficiently enough over the second quarter of 2021, by the time we get to the end of the summer… we may actually have enough herd immunity protecting our society that as we get to the end of 2021. We can approach very much some degree of normality that is close to where we were before.”
COVID-19 Vaccine & Weddings – The Real Truth
If you are planning on having your wedding in early 2021 or Spring 2021 the Coronavirus is still going to have a major impact on your wedding. Possibly by summer 2021 weddings can begin to look more normal – IF a majority of the population takes the COVID vaccine.
Here’s What We Do Know About the COVID Vaccine and Weddings in 2021.
- It was created in super warp speed
- No one knows if you can still get COVID if you have been vaccinated
- No one knows if you can still pass the virus to other people
- In December 2020 we’re finding new strains
- We don’t know if the vaccine will work on the new strains
- Some people receiving the COVID vaccine are having serious allergic reactions
Masks and Social Distancing Will Still Be Necessary
Unless the majority of your guests and vendors are vaccinated, wedding masks and proper social distancing will be a necessity through much of 2021. It still remains unclear whether someone can still spread the virus even with vaccination, so ensuring safety first is the best way you can be thoughtful about your event.
Again, this will remain effective until much of the population receives the vaccine. For more accurate information about the vaccine, refer to the facts section of the CDC’s website.
Virtual Planning Will Continue
One thing that is absolutely going to continue in 2021 is virtual wedding planning. With 300,000 people each day getting the virus in the U.S, and 3k + dying, virtual wedding planning is the safest way to plan your 2021 wedding.
Communication With Guests Will Remain a Must
When planning a 2021 wedding one of the most important things you will have to do is communicate, communicate, communicate. Make sure that you keep your guests informed about any and all safety precautions you are planning to take (or not take). You will want your guests to be fully informed so that “they” can make an educated decision on whether to attend your wedding or not. Understand that some guests “may not” want to come if you are not planning on demanding masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizer stations.
And that’s ok, it’s their health – let them manage it.
Vendors and Couples Could Track Vaccinations
Some articles are suggesting that couples and wedding vendors track the Coronavirus vaccinations. Well, while this might sound like a great idea, we want you to remember the vaccine doesn’t STOP the virus. The COVID-19 vaccine is essentially putting some of the viruses into your system. Why? They hope that your body will create an immunity to it. BUT, because it is so new no one knows if you had come into contact with COVID (and just not getting sick since you had the vaccine), can you still pass it onto someone who is not vaccinated. We know that tying the knot is important to you. But don’t forget that gatherings can and will still help to spread the virus.
And we don’t know about you, but we’re ready to see the Coronavirus disappear. To help achieve that, masks and social distancing WILL still be necessary throughout 2021. As much as you hate that, it is just the truth.
Outdoor Weddings Will Still Remain Popular
As we saw in 2020, experts are still suggesting that the majority of weddings take place outdoors. It just provides a better environment that can help to keep your guests (and yourselves) safe. Outdoor wedding venues allow for fresh air, and more space to move around. Ultimately helping you practice social distancing measures.
