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Tara
Savvy August 2020

Hugging guests during covid?

Tara, on August 10, 2020 at 10:17 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 15
Hi everyone! We’re getting married on 8/29/20 in my parents’ backyard in upstate NY. For brides who have had weddings recently, or weddings coming up soon: how are you greeting your guests? Have you been hugging people? Only hugging if both of you are wearing masks?


My fiancé and I have been getting tested regularly and plan to get tested again right before the wedding, just to make sure we’re both healthy and good to go. Numbers in NY have been good recently, and we are holding our wedding in shifts over the course of the whole day (so only about 25 people will be there at a time). Even with these precautions, I’m still wondering how to greet people and would love to hear your thoughts.

15 Comments

Latest activity by Bride123, on August 11, 2020 at 1:21 PM
  • Yasmine
    Master October 2020
    Yasmine ·
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    I personally wouldn’t do any hugging during this time. Are you asking your guests to get tested also? If not then it would be a no for me as people can be asymptomatic,
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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    I would not be hugging at this time
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  • VIP August 2020
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    We did fist bumps instead of hugs. We didn't stop people from putting their arms around us in pictures of they wanted to, but we made everyone wear masks most of the time including in group photos.
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  • J
    Master 0000
    Judith ·
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    No hugs. Radiant smiles at 10 feet. You can be the first bride's who did not worry about hugs from some messing up one side of your face makeup and hair, from enthusiastic guests. Any my hubby's family had a whole bunch who give a hug, then push you back, then hold your cheeks and rub hands, or pinch a cheek. And older Italian lady thing, they meant well. But I was happy I rarely use more than very light makeup . After the receiving line entering the parlor for cocktails, from the ceremony, I zipped upstairs, washed my face, and redid make-up, and down again in less than 10 minutes. And I had tear messed up mascara marks mid cheeks from other women's mascara running, I think his aunt's and Mom. There are worse things than no hugs!
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  • Tara
    Savvy August 2020
    Tara ·
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    Haha, this is very true!
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  • Grace
    Savvy July 2021
    Grace ·
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    I purchased green and red wrist bands for people to grab on their own. Green strands for “Hi, I’m okay with hugs, fist bumps and high fives” and red is obviously the opposite; no touching.
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  • Hanna
    VIP June 2019
    Hanna ·
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    I personally think it’s way too soon to be hugging anyone outside of my immediate household, even when both are wearing a mask. What about just waving instead?
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  • Kari
    Master May 2020
    Kari ·
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    Safety issues aside, I think there are going to be people who really want to hug and people who don't feel comfortable with it yet. IF you are going to hug, it would great to have a way to know who is who so no one feels pressure to do anything they don't want to. Some have suggested color coded wristbands for guests so you know who really wants to keep their distance, who feels comfortable talking at a closer distance but still refraining from physical contact, and who is all about hugs!

    Side note: We eloped in May with just our parents and a few close friends and there were no/few hugs. My mom stayed with us for the weekend and she asked permission every time she wanted hug me and it was the most sad/painful thing. My husband's parents didn't want to hug (his dad is high risk and his mom tends to be a worrier) and the photo of him with his parents looks so strained because they are clearly uncomfortable just standing next to each other with less than 6 feet of separation. Personally, the smiles from afar just don't cut it and we're going to wait until hugging is okay to have our full wedding ceremony and reception.

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  • K
    Devoted August 2020
    Kate ·
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    My fiancé and I both have antibodies from having Covid, so we will be hugging anyone who wants to hug us, however we will not initiate any physical touch with anyone. It will be just when people go to hug us.
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  • Annika
    Expert November 2020
    Annika ·
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    We are not having close contact (hand holding, hugs, or kisses) with any of our guests that are not already part of our wedding party or immediate families, as those people we will already have been around all week. Everyone will be wearing masks and hand sanitizer will be available everywhere.

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  • Cassandra
    Dedicated October 2021
    Cassandra ·
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    This is a good question as I am a big hugger and come from a family of huggers. My mom and I spent time figuring out a safe way to hug for both of us as it is such a big part of our relationship.
    I am thinking of doing the colored wristband thing so people who are being careful can quietly let others know they are not being rude just safe. But it all depends on how things look closer to the day.
    My worry is some guests might take it the wrong way and think ok with hugs means ok with others not wearing a mask which is a completely different thing.
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  • T
    Expert May 2010
    Theresa ·
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    I like this idea. I didn't want to hug anyone pre-Covid-19, and I certainly don't want to now. Red band for me all the way!

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  • Tara
    Savvy August 2020
    Tara ·
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    Thanks for the feedback, everyone! After thinking about it more and reading your responses, I think we’ll stick to big smiles and waving. I’m not much of a hugger anyway Smiley smile
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  • Queen Cone
    Devoted September 2020
    Queen Cone ·
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    Im in ny too. thought of this for sure. im hoping everyone realizes to kind of keep their distance i dont want to have to quickly put a mask on because someones coming towards me. i wont be having a “receiving line” or anything like that
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  • B
    Dedicated August 2020
    Bride123 ·
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    At our wedding, people told us what they were comfortable with. I tried to keep my distance from people except for immediate family members whom I had already hugged. We also had numerous guests covid checked and everyone temperature checked upon arrival.

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