July wedding- Masks not wanted!

So I am also in CT and I also do not want a wedding with masks. But the way I see it is, if I want people to respect my choice to not wear a mask, then I have to respect their choice to wear one. I don't think people should require masks at their weddings, but I also don't think you can really forbid it either.


If I were you, I would back down just a tad and maybe include on the details card/on the website "Masks are not required at the event. We look forward to seeing your smiles!" People will self eliminate based on that, and you won't come off as demanding.

Hi Tonya, I would recommend moving the reception outdoors and if your guests are agreeable, testing within 48 hours ahead of the wedding. Our guests were much more comfortable being outdoors without a mask. I would suggest seating by household, plated dinner, and hand sanitizer.
Our vendors all wore masks per their policy so prepare yourself that will likely be a must. Our officiant did not wear a mask but that was his comfort level. Realistically, if you place every other precaution including very good social distancing, it would minimize the concern and they are more apt to be ok without them.
For what it’s worth, we had masks available and every precaution implemented. Some guests wore masks and it didn’t take away an ounce of joy for us. ❤️

I'm not really sure what opinion you're referring to. Saying you don't want masks or wish there weren't masks is an opinion (& something most people agree with), but actively taking steps to prevent people from wearing masks is no longer an opinion. That's an action that makes it difficult for people do make their own choices in protecting their health. Someone saying that you're selfish for forbidding masks or not inviting those who will wear them is an opinion, but I think it's pretty difficult to argue that such steps *aren't* selfish. The definition is literally about doing something without consideration for others.

I'm still really confused about your venue--from what I've seen, CT requires safety precautions for things like weddings, which must include masks. And you'll see masks anyway, at least from your vendors, and if any of your guests opt to ignore you & wear them anyway.

I'm not trying to be harsh. I 100% would rather not have masks at my wedding (which is September, & in MA). But I love my friends and family and above all else want everyone who attends to feel and be safe. If no masks is your absolute top priority, then the only way to guarantee that is to elope in one of those states that doesn't even require an officiant, and might be something you want to look into.

View Quoted Comment Yes I usually get something pretty bad every year! Not this year!

I am shocked by your post. Also you're equating requesting no masks to requesting no children? Really? In the middle of a pandemic? It's one thing to say masks are optional, but to refuse guests the ability to wear masks is just....well...I have no words. I'm sorry, but I don't think I've ever seen a more selfish post on WeddingWire before and I'm a very frequent poster.

If you don't want masks at your wedding, then don't get married in the middle of a pandemic.

I know how you feel. Our wedding was supposed to be November 2020, we had to postpone to November 2021, and we're even toying with the idea of postponing further at this point. But to not allow masks at your wedding is just idiotic and selfish IMO. It basically screams: "we care more about our aesthetic and photos than the comfort and safety of our guests."

View Quoted Comment

I agree with this.

I'm not sure it will matter though - your vendors probably have something in their contracts that they can leave if you knowingly put them in danger, which requiring people to go maskless during a pandemic IS doing - so they'll probably walk away from your wedding (either beforehand when you tell them you're requiring no masks or on the day of) and you'll still be out the money.

Then move your wedding to may or June of 2022 (when there's even a hope of herd immunity), hope it's a nice day outside and socially distance and....nope you'll still be selfish for requiring no masks.

Forbidding masks at a wedding during a global pandemic is like forbidding a diabetic from bringing their insulin, or an asthmatic their inhaler.


But hey, it's your day right? Who cares about people dying, as long as they look great in pictures!

You have to be realistic about the fact that a lot of people aren’t going to be comfortable in a setting without masks And You would have to think to yourself is it worth making those people uncomfortable? Because it wouldn’t be wrong for them to not want to attend if they fear for their safety and health

You also need to think about liability for the event. If there ends up being a covid outbreak at your wedding (and I certainly hope there won’t be!!) people will remember that you forbid them to wear a mask, and they will blame you. Whereas if the guests have the option of wearing or foregoing masks, they at least made a choice that they are comfortable with depending on their level of risk.

Our wedding is very small (less than 25 guests). The people coming are regularly in contact with one another. My mother lives with us, my kids, my in laws (we see them about once a week as they watch 2 of my kids and we visit with them) and his sisters, and my best friend and her family. We are all in regular contact with everyone. We are not requiring masks because of this.

Oh my. This is just a terrible idea on many levels. It is rude, disrespectful and irresponsible. Not to mention a huge liability issue. Not only would you be liable if family members or friends became sick or (God forbid, died!), you could potentially be sued by your venue and/or vendors for knowingly and willingly putting them in a harmful situation. It sounds to me as though you care more about the aesthetic of your wedding than you do about the health of your guests. If you refuse to postpone your wedding to a safer date, The responsible thing to do would be to either just go to the courthouse and sign your marriage license, elope just the two of you, or have a backyard wedding with only parents or parents and siblings. No couples want to have people in masks at their weddings, but unfortunately that is the price you must pay if you choose to have a wedding during a pandemic.

I’m offended just reading this as someone in the same country as you who could get affected by your selfish and careless super spreader wedding to be. Elope or wait until there’s not a global pandemic killing millions of people.

View Quoted Comment Lol right?!

I don’t even.............

View Quoted Comment Have to agree with this!

This post is now trending on reddit..

I'm in the minority for sure, but I don't totally disagree with you. I don't want to look back on pictures of my wedding day and see masks covering my guests faces. I'm not requesting no masks (& hopefully by my wedding this will be over) but I have already told my photographer to try to avoid people with a masks for pictures. I get it's a weird time but I totally see your view. Honestly, I think people who are truly worried about catching COVID won't be attending a large gathering at all - mask or not.

I would offer a virtual streaming for those who aren't comfortable attending, but I totally agree with you not wanting masks.

I can't with the people ripping you to shreds over this post. If you're worried about catching COVID, stay home. Someone who is truly worried wouldn't have interest in going to that large of a gathering to begin with.

Mask or no mask, if you're willing to go to a 100+ people wedding, you're willing to risk catching covid.

I truly hope that we don't think dancing and eating with 150+ guest at a wedding with a cloth flower masks from Etsy is preventing the spread of COVID.