How would you feel about vaccinations being required for wedding attendance?

Respectfully adding that I just got an apple news email that the CDC is recommending a pause to J&J vaccines out of "abundance of caution" while they investigate cases of blood clots to people who received it.

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Research shows that the vaccines are highly effective at preventing disease and there is more and more evidence is coming out that the vaccines prevent transmission as well. You are correct that the vaccines are not 100% effective against infection (they have however demonstrated 100% efficacy at preventing severe disease and death), which is why having everyone vaccinated is a very different situation than having a portion of our group vaccinated. We happen to be fortunate that all of our guests that we really want there are able to be vaccinated; they do not have medical conditions or allergies that prevent them from being able to be vaccinated, so for them it is a choice, but that certainly isn't the case for everyone. With a small, close group, we have this intimate knowledge, which wouldn't necessarily be the case if we were having a larger wedding or inviting distant contacts, as so many do. Requiring vaccinations of all guests may not work for all weddings or situations, but it does for us. There isn't going to be a one size fits all for everyone, and couples should consider what works best for them.

View Quoted Comment DJ I Totally agree! I plan to conceive. NOPE. Not jeopardizing our future to go to someone’s wedding if it was mandatory.

I personally think that if it makes you feel safe and its for the safety of the other guest, then mandate it. If they don't want to then don't come.

View Quoted Comment I like your answer best tbh. I think that helps everyone to feel a little safer

If there are vulnerable guests that you would like to attend, then I am of the opinion that a request for proof of vaccination is reasonable. I am having a small wedding (50) next year and I will be requiring this, but I also know that the majority of my guests have been vaccinated. If any invited guest took issue with it, I would be perfectly ok if they declined the invitation. If there is a reason someone cannot be vaccinated, proof of a negative result would be sufficient.


You are correct that it is a controversial subject, but if you feel it’s the right choice for you & your guests, then just be prepared for the backlash and to stand your ground.

View Quoted Comment This! Requiring everyone to be vaccinated to attend hits below the belt. You can’t have your cake and eat it too at this point. We’ve all had to compromise with Covid weddings. If you want everyone to attend as much as possible, advice people to quarantine for 10 days as best as they can before the wedding. I would do that over getting vaccinated. You can’t make anyone get the shot(s).

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Hello Kim:

You can't imagine how much I appreciate your reply. I feel the exact same way: mass ma-ni-pu-la-tion! ". This is the reason why I won't get it. If that means I can't go everywhere: so be it,I'll stay home or I'll only go where I'm allowed to go. In fact, this virus has a 97+% survival rate, higher than the survival rate for influenza.

Plus: HIV,AIDS appeared more than 40 years ago but there is still no HIV/AIDS-vaccine... But ... But ... But ... ... It only took 9-10 months to make the 1st covid-vaccine available?? Now 5+ vaccines are available worldwide. I'm like: "are you kidding me?". Most people don't realize that this vaccine has been rushed.

Unfortunately: 90-95% of people trust the media and the so-called "experts" without question.

I'm fully behind this myself, but I think it also bears pointing out that some people can't get vaccinated due to health reasons. I feel like if you're nervous some people will get upset, you could offer the alternative of a negative test + mask & social distancing. (But I would say something like "If you have an issue with this request, please let us know and we'll work to figure something out with you!")

View Quoted Comment I agree to all of this 👏👏👏👏👏👏 thank you

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Thank you. At least I'm not alone on this one 😉👍 Katie.

View Quoted Comment The science behind the vaccine had already been worked on though. It didn't magically poof out of thin air. Did it happen quickly, yes. But it's also important to remember that the foundation had already been laid, and the entire world came together to work on it.

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What about HIV-AIDS?

A lot of places I have seen are offering 2 options: either proof of vaccination or a negative covid test. Its reasonable considering those that are high risk attending your wedding.

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There have been a ton of articles about this, especially recently with the very fast & successful development of the several COVID vaccines. I was curious about this too, & have learned quite a bit since looking up how all vaccines--COVID, plus others, both successful & not--are developed. Here's one using laymen terms about HIV specifically: https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/why-were-still-waiting-on-a-vaccine-for-hiv-and-other-deadly-viruses

If you would prefer the actual scientific research on this, there are tons of peer reviewed articles you can read about it. Springer actually publishes an entire book collecting & reviewing papers on this: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030324582

I agree with most other posters that you really need to implement another option--such as a negative test--just because not everyone can get a vaccine (perhaps for medical reasons, or due to lack of supply--although I sincerely hope that won't be the case in November!).

I think it's more important to remember that the vaccine is not a cure-all, & that you'll also need to require masks, hand sanitizing, social distancing, etc. Maybe I'll be wrong & by November we'll be all good, but if that's the case then you won't need to require vaccines/testing either!

View Quoted Comment Exactly... lol people don’t research.

I agree with the few above... it is YOUR day. If getting a shot with insignificant research makes you feel safe, then definitely require it so you can enjoy your day. There really are no perfect solutions in the wedding world right now. Either way, people are going to decline whether you mandate the vaccine or not to attend.

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And that as of today, CDC is also investigating a death linked to J&J...these vaccines are way too new to know of any "down the road consequences".

https://wset.com/news/local/cdc-to-investigate-death-of-virginia-woman-in-connection-with-jj-vaccine-side-effects-coronavirus-covid-19-johnson-and-johnson-vaccine

I think it would depend on whether you're taking additional, significant covid precautions. Even with vaccines, we need to socially distance, stay outdoors, mask up.


If I went to a vaccine required wedding and found that you had 200 guests indoors, a full dance floor, and a buffet, I'd be side eying you so hard. That would tell me you care more about aesthetics and a false sense of security than guest safety.