A delectable menu has been selected and the perfect song has been chosen for the bride and groom’s first dance as husband and wife. The guest list has been finalized and the family’s feuding uncles have been sat on opposite sides of the ballroom. Finally, the happy couple can focus on enjoying their big day, except for one little problem: In the time of COVID, the process of preparing for a wedding is never quite over. Spiking infection rates, new governmental regulations and last-minute concerns from older relatives can all come along suddenly, and even the best-laid plans can go awry.

You thought your wedding day was stressful? Try getting married in the middle of a global pandemic.

However, thanks to wedding planners who have gone above and beyond even their normal responsibilities, venues that have pivoted to tackle the unique challenges of the day, and couples who have committed to starting their lives together, weddings have continued on and in some cases even increased as Florida bounces back from the pandemic.

“We could have any type of catastrophic event and there will still be a wedding happening on top of the rubble,” Jennifer Sharpe, senior catering sales manager at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, says with a laugh.

“Brides are the most resilient demographic group of any group I’ve ever worked with in my 25-plus years of doing events. They will do whatever they have to do and whatever it takes in order to have their event. I love their persistence and I love their passion and that’s why I love being in this position. I feel like no matter what’s happening in the world, weddings will continue to move forward.”

Orlando Family Magazine spoke with local wedding professionals to learn more about the new normal for nuptials and how couples can remain confident that their day will go off without a hitch.

Early reactions to the pandemic

Wedding season usually kicks into high gear in the spring, and that was when the pandemic first struck the United States in March 2020. Of course, there was so much unknown at the time as the country tried to educate itself about the coronavirus, and most weddings slated from March through May that year were canceled.

But it didn’t take long for most venues to start hosting celebrations again. Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Palm Coast was closed until the summer and rescheduled events for the fall. This year, the property has returned to a normal schedule and has more than 50 weddings on the books.

“We’ve seen a good rebound and weddings were really one of the markets that never completely went away like the groups and conferences did,” says Kerry Mitruska, director of sales and marketing. “Although they may have gotten a little smaller in most cases, they still took place.”

Charles Kaval, director of catering for Beach House Suites by the Don CeSar in St. Pete Beach, believes the wedding industry is stronger than ever. “Overall demand for weddings has remained consistent throughout the pandemic,” he says. “The only time events were reduced was during government restrictions to large group gatherings. Since opening restrictions in June 2020, wedding events have been at an all-time high. We do anticipate 2022 to be our busiest wedding year on record, as demand for domestic beach destinations continues to soar.”

TradeWinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach usually holds between 150 and 200 weddings a year, says Alana Owens, director of catering and convention services, but that number dipped to around 40 in 2020. Fortunately, it has risen back to over 100 this year and 2022 is already looking promising. “People are feeling more comfortable, and a lot of them are just over it,” Owens says. “They’re done postponing their special day and they want to make it happen. … We’re also seeing an increase in pop-up weddings. People are calling and saying, ‘Within the next three to four months, we want to have our wedding,’ which is not very traditional. People typically want to plan a year and a half out. So that’s something we’ve also had to adjust to.”

Katie Williams, associate director of conference services at Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, says 2021 has been the busiest year for weddings since the resort opened in 2017. “It’s been a wide variety,” she explains. “We’ve done intimate ceremonies with 30 people and two-day weddings for 400 people. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Creative adjustments

As venues and couples have adapted in order to have their wedding during the pandemic, they have come up with innovative ways to make guests feel safe. “Creating different food and beverage options has been something that’s really set us apart,” says Grace Beredo, senior catering sales executive at Orlando World Center Marriott. “Obviously with COVID, buffets and sharing food has decreased, but we’ve found ways to be a little more creative than just having a plated dinner. Maybe it’s cocktail reception plates served to individual guests, stations versus a regular buffet, things like that.”

For those couples who decided to reduce their guest list for a safer environment but still wanted to include as many friends and family members as possible, technology was a huge help. “We saw Zoom incorporated a lot more,” says Jessica Pekarik, catering sales manager at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront. “Many couples were utilizing that for their ceremonies and even some receptions so the guests who couldn’t travel or didn’t feel safe traveling could still join in.”

Owens also saw livestreaming become part of events at TradeWinds, and for guests who were able to make it in person but still wanted an extra level of security, they came up with a color-coded system to express their comfort level. “Green is for hugs, yellow is for fist bumps or elbow bumps, and red is please keep your distance,” she says. “They’re either incorporating that into a wrist band that they’re wearing or some sort of sticker they put on their outfit. That way everyone knows when they approach someone how to communicate accordingly.”

Sharpe is one of the many local professionals who has seen an increase in intimate or micro weddings. Her resort has always offered a smaller package focused on close friends and family and a brief ceremony before everyone moves on to the Disney theme parks. Those never skipped a beat during the pandemic, but for the larger events they have spread people out and installed Plexiglas walls in the buffets. They have also expanded the dance floor to make social distancing possible, because what’s a wedding without people showing off their moves?

As for COVID testing or vaccination requirements, most properties are leaving that decision up to individual groups and have chosen not to enforce any rules themselves. Some will contract with outside vendors to provide temperature checks if asked, while others are happy to have their staff wear masks or gloves as an added level of safety.

Embracing the outdoors

One major advantage for Florida has been its nice year-round weather, allowing for ceremonies and in some cases even receptions to be held outside, where there is less chance for spread of the virus and most people feel more comfortable.

“Outdoor ceremony and reception locations are the heart and soul of our wedding experience,” Kaval says. “Couples want to take advantage of the fresh air, blazing sunsets and pristine waterfronts, and we offer the perfect setting to host your guests in these environments. Elopements and small gatherings have increased substantially as well. Bridal parties are having lots of fun with custom masks and trinkets to try and make light of precautions, while also providing some unique keepsakes for years to come.”

“I think it’s great that we have that option for them,” Pekarik adds. “Our outdoor space does max out at about 100 guests for a reception so they’re a little limited in terms of size. But it does give them that open air flow, which I think people are more comfortable with compared to being in an enclosed room. If they want to be out there in the summer, it’s warm, but we’ll do it.”

Orlando World Center Marriott always had the capability for outdoor receptions and has created a new location for ceremonies on its golf course that has become high in demand. Beredo says couples are adding other outdoor elements too, such as welcome receptions or dessert receptions.

At Hammock Beach, there are half a dozen outdoor spaces available, including oceanfront sites adjacent to the golf course and a grand event lawn area right at the base of the hotel steps that makes for a pretty entrance for the bridal party. “I definitely think that helps,” Mitruska says. “Other than weather calls when we have to bring people inside, the majority of our weddings at least have their ceremony and [cocktail] reception outside and then move inside for dinner.”

ICON Park has become a unique site for an outdoor wedding too, making the front lawn available for parties up to 200 people. The Wheel—a 400-foot attraction similar to a Ferris wheel providing stunning views of Orlando—is the perfect background to the nuptials. “It’s lit up in the favorite color of the bride and we can have a light show with music,” says Chris Jaskiewicz, president and CEO of ICON Park. “It’s a big show to do that and we’ve had many, many over the years. I would say that is the most popular but doing it on the capsule is a pretty big hit too.”

Yes, that’s correct, intimate weddings are also available on The Wheel itself, as the bride and groom, joined by their officiant and a witness, take a few turns through the air while saying their vows. ICON Park also offers the Sky Lounge, a private event space right next to the attraction for weddings of 60 to 70 people.

Aside from weddings, Jaskiewicz is proud to report that ICON Park is the choice for any number of special events, from proposals on The Wheel to rehearsal dinners at one of the renowned restaurants onsite. The Wheel factors into gender reveal parties as well—getting lit up either pink or blue—and children’s birthday celebrations. “We’re a hit before, during and after weddings,” Jaskiewicz says. “It really goes full circle.”

Other exciting trends

While the pandemic has certainly dominated the conversation when it comes to weddings in the past 18 months, there are other trends coming to the forefront. Williams finds many ideas on social media and is eager to share them with her clients. “We’ve gotten away from just signing a regular guest book to now you write your message on a heart, slide it into a picture frame and the bride and groom will hang all the messages in their home,” she says. 

She adds that most recent weddings have been far less formal as couples are treating them like a reunion for family members and friends they haven’t been able to spend as much time with lately. “The beverage bars have local brews on them now or custom signature drinks for the bride and groom. It’s all about those little extra touches to enhance the experience. Most people are doing personal touches, whether it’s the centerpieces or a photo booth or an interactive DJ, rather than the wedding being all about the flowers and chair covers and beautiful lace napkins.”

Sharpe is excited for the upcoming opening of the Walt Disney Swan Reserve Hotel, featuring Vue, a rooftop space ideal for weddings that has already created a stir. “You are looking out at Walt Disney World Resort from every angle, so you can see all the parks,” she says. “You can see Tower of Terror and it looks like it’s right next door and you can reach out and touch it; you can see the Epcot Spaceship Earth ball. It’s really special that we’re opening this amazing property and having the ability to book events in this amazing ballroom at the same time that Disney is celebrating their 50th anniversary.”

Owens points to the rise in pop-up vendors like eco-friendly beverage trucks or cigar trucks, and Beredo notes that personalization has become important with the use of welcome bags that show off the couple’s personality and gratitude to their guests.

There has always been a great benefit to wedding planners or organizers, but their role has become even more critical during the pandemic and will continue to be so in the immediate future.

“I always joke that this has been an emotionally taxing time, because we’re already assisting them with the planning of their wedding but now it’s almost like I took on an emotional support role throughout the pandemic,” Pekarik says. “They come to us with their concerns and questions and they’re looking to us for support and answers and guidance. I kind of became wedding planner/therapist throughout COVID.”

In the end, that support means the world as couples are able to make it to the finish line of their wedding, overcome any obstacles along the way and have the dream day they always envisioned. “Our biggest trend is wedding parties truly wanting to go all out with a fabulous event experience,” Kaval says. “Many have waited 12-24 months for their wedding day, and have added entertainment, décor and specialty menus to truly commemorate this amazing celebration.”

“There are glimpses of hope for brides that may have been wavering or worried or fearful about hosting their event,” Sharpe concludes. “Weddings are happening, there’s nothing to fear and they will have an amazing event.”