To say that 2020 has been a crazy year would be an understatement. And if you were planning a wedding at almost any point during this year, you may have had to change plans, reschedule, scale back, or even give a loud scream of frustration!
All perfectly understandable as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe. But all is not lost!
As I write this post, the Alberta government just announced new regulations that came into effect a few days ago. These changes have already impacted some couples planning to marry before Christmas. For couples who have the option to be flexible in their Lethbridge wedding plans, it is still possible to move ahead. Of course, if you do want a larger ceremony, you may have to wait a bit. The promise of a new COVID vaccine that could be available in large numbers by next summer offers the hope of a return to something a bit more normal.
Right now, though, if you still wish to marry soon, you do need to keep in mind regulations that may be in place on your wedding day.
As of Nov. 24, 2020, regulations include:
Then, for weddings, it notes:
That sounds a little contradictory, so I contacted the Marriage Unit of Vital Statistics in Edmonton to clarify these points. Basically, a wedding can only include 10 people. As noted, that includes the couple, the marriage commissioner, and their two witnesses. That accounts for five of the 10 people allowed. So, only another five would be allowed to attend.
After the ceremony, guests who do not live at your home would be expected to leave because it would then become a social gathering. That means any kind of reception would be a no-no.
Time to get creative!
I’ve seen several couples in Lethbridge expand their guest list by incorporating technology. Setting up a laptop or smartphone can provide a means of webcasting the ceremony by Zoom or similar tools.
In one case, a bride had her mother, who lives in another province, ‘walk’ her up the aisle virtually! The bride held her smartphone in one hand with Mom on the line. Sorry, I can’t remember if Zoom or Facetime or some other app was used. But it allowed Mom to be with her daughter as she walked up the aisle. And when I asked who had the honour of presenting the bride to be married to the groom, Mom was able to claim that honour by video. It was quite touching and something I hadn’t seen before.
Perhaps a ‘reception’ could take place virtually, too. People linked together at one time, all with food and beverages, celebrating with the couple at a distance. Toasts to the bride and groom could be made this way, too.
Another couple took a unique approach to honouring their guests when having a group of 50 was still possible. Customized masks were available for all guests when they arrived for the ceremony at a local venue.
So, all is not lost! You can still have your Lethbridge wedding during the time of COVID. And just think what stories you could share with future generations! “We loved each other so much, we didn’t let a global pandemic keep us from getting married.” Now, how’s that for a tale to tell the grandkids years from now?
These regulations are in place for three weeks beginning Nov. 24. So, that means they end Dec. 15. None of us can know at this point what happens after that, but it's probably safest to think the limitations on gatherings could continue for a bit after this point if the province doesn't see some significant reduction in the number of infections taking place.
If you are wanting to get married during the COVID situation and are flexible in how this can happen, I’d be honoured to serve as your marriage commissioner in the Lethbridge area. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. We can chat about your ceremony and plan to make it something you’ll always fondly remember.
And if you have some creative ideas for making weddings special with regulations in place, I think it would great if you could share with everyone.
Until next time, take care and stay safe.
