Covid question

What's your date and location?

Depends on when you are getting married, like how soon?

I see your date is next July. I would move forward with caution and make sure that you ask vendors what their cancellation policies are prior to signing any contracts. I am planning my daughters wedding for next Fall now and making sure we have a way out or get money back if they cancel.

I think it depends on what date you’re thinking. We went ahead and booked our venue for 10/29/21. Partially because with all of the postponements there were not many dates to choose from and a lot of venues in our area were already fully booked. We’re having a relatively small wedding (about 100 guests) so we can probably get away with having it outdoors if there are still maximum indoor capacities in place (and if it’s not too cold- we’re in Connecticut and it’s hit or miss) but I’m just hoping things are somewhat back to “normal” by then!

I hope things are back to normal, or at least something resembling normal, by next July. (Our reception is scheduled for the week after your wedding.) I really don't think you'll have to deal with the kind of changes that 2020 brides ended up having to make. That being said, as one of those 2020 brides, I'd be really hesitant to recommend anything that could potentially be impacted by covid restrictions.

If you think you'd be able to have the kind of wedding you want to have at your house, you should probably plan to do that. It's unlikely to be subject to the same kind of restrictions other venues are and if you're planning to have it at home from the beginning, it will feel like your venue throughout the process, and you'll be able to spend the whole time choosing things specifically for it so it all comes together the way you want it to.

If you're dreading the thought of having the wedding at your house and you're only choosing to have it at your home because you're afraid you'll have to move it if things get worse, consider what you would do if you did have to change your plans without warning. If you would be devastated and would rather have it at your home than go through that, have it at your home. If you'd rather have it at a venue and deal with anything that came up, book a venue that you love and also has a postponement/cancelation policy that you're comfortable with in the contract.

Definitely ask your venue and vendors all the what if questions. If they are flexible, then don’t hesitate.

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Awesome advice! Thank you so much! I will definitely check the cancellation policy for the venue.

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My date is July 17, 2021 in Providence, Rhode Island.

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I prefer to have my wedding at a venue away from home. I don't want to deal with all the incidentals that come with having to host a house wedding. I will review cancellation policies. Thanks for the help!

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Oh yeah, it's definitely easier to have a wedding somewhere that isn't your house. We planned to get married at a venue and we ended up getting married at my parents' house. I loved our miniwedding and it was the perfect day for us, but even knowing what we do now, if we had to do it again we'd still plan on having it at a venue.

I saw that you said you're in Providence. Do you know where you want to get married yet? I grew up 30 minutes from there!

For 80 people I’d look into a venue. There’s lots of offer deals with smaller guest counts and it’s easier to social distance. I saw a few cute smaller venues that made me think twice about my larger venue to invite 150 guests (10/01/21) because I love the romantic and intimate feeling

I would go with a venue, they will be able to help you with any regulations your state/city will have for your event as they will be keeping on top of any charges in laws for large gatherings.
Just be very careful when picking. Make sure the cancellation and postponement policy they tell you is written down on the contract and is one you are comfortable with. Also pick a venue that maybe has another steam of income besides hosting events. That way you don't have to worry about them suddenly closing.