3 Elopement Social Distancing Tips

The world is only just starting to return to normal, and it looks like for the foreseeable future, we’re going to be practicing social distancing. You might be wonder, what exactly does this mean for your elopement?

Right now it can be a confusing time for couples who simply want to get eloped but don’t really know what they are supposed to do when it comes to gatherings, hygiene best practices, and wedding norms in general. Are guests really expected to wear masks? Are hotels safe?

These kinds of questions can pose serious issues in the planning process, which is why it’s important to know where to start. These tips below will help you navigate your elopement and practice safe social distancing even on your big day.

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​1. Pick a Large, Outdoor Venue

Easy social distancing starts with the right venue, and that’s all the more important when it comes to your elopement. While small intimate spaces are popular elopement destinations, couples may want to reconsider for the time being. Right now is the perfect time to think about holding your elopement in a wide open park or open air courtyard or alley, rather than trying to cram into a hall or chapel of some sort.

We all know that in general, it’s easier to social distance outside, and it’s also effortless to create a beautiful, romantic elopement this way as well. New Orleans has several gorgeous parks and quaint streets that can be used as elopement settings, that don’t require you to have to cram a bunch of guests together in a small space.

You want to try and avoid small indoor spaces as much as possible during the course of your elopement. This holds true for you as well as your guests. The larger the venue, the better. To stay cost-effective, a park might make for the best elopement option, although there are certainly other places to choose from if you get eloped in New Orleans.

2. Limit Your Guest List

Elopements trend toward the smaller side anyway, but now more than ever you may want to think about a small guest list in order to give everyone their proper space. First of all, many cities and states have ordinances in place at the moment that limit the size of gatherings anyway, so you have to adhere to these if you are to hold an event such as an elopement regardless.

Once you know you are in the safe zone there, you want to consider scaling down your guest list even more. This is certainly not the time for a 100-person wedding ceremony, outdoors or not. You want to think about how easy it will be for everyone to move around of their own accord without having to brush up against others or be packed together for whatever reason.

The fewer guests you have, the lower the cost of the ceremony in general anyway, and we know how important saving money is right now. You can always hold a “one year later” anniversary party next year and invite more guests once everything returns to normal. For the time being, keep your elopement small in terms of who you invite. Your closest friends and family should be the only people making an appearance.

3. Plan Your Elopement Carefully

How will the rows of seats be laid out? Will there be an open buffet? How will everyone get around? You have to weigh some additional factors if you want to ensure everyone’s safety. For example, if you were considering a buffet style meal, you may want to shelve that idea even if it seems affordable and convenient. The health and safety of your guests is a critical priority now.

Pay extra attention to the spacing and “flow” of your elopement venue. You want to make sure there’s never any reason for your guests to get bunched up together and that everyone has free and easy maneuvering, whether indoors or out. Think about how everyone will enter and exit the venue, consider where your guests will park, or how food will be served. Remember to place appropriate signage reminding everyone to social distance if necessary. If you are planning on any dancing, how will you safely enforce social distancing?

A little planning can go a long way, and while you don’t have to spend weeks agonizing over how to make sure everyone is exactly 6 feet apart at all times, it’s simply a good idea to spend a little extra time considering the needs of your guests and everyone involved so that no one feels uncomfortable or that their safety isn’t compromised.

It's important that if you are planning on getting eloped at this time that you make sure you and your guests know the risks and to practice the right social distancing measures. You can certainly throw a beautiful and fun elopement right now, but you have to simply make sure you are doing what you can to be safe while you're doing it!