Requiring covid vaccination for Wedding

We put a password on the RSVP page to our website, and added an information card in the invitation saying they needed to send us a copy of their vaccination card (or other proof if they lost their card) to a gmail we created specifically for the wedding. Once we receive that we would respond with the password. We would also accept declines at the gmail as well. It adds an extra step and kind of defeats the purpose of the online RSVP vs. mail, but it helps us verify that information at the beginning and not worry about how to police that day of.

Hi...our wedding isn't until February in Los Angeles, but seeing as how this isn't going to let up any time soon and we have a pretty large guest list (200 - though that is "small" for his family) we are requiring it (unless our venue just cancels outright - haha ) I have not sent out the invitations yet, but I have ordered proofs of them and I just put it on the back of the RSVP. Our venue includes a couple security guards with the price so my plan was to talk to them to check proof (physical card or photo) at the door. If they can't/won't I plan to have my coordinator spear head the effort and if worst comes to worst I will just hire an extra person to do this. I tried to be very honest in the wording and let everyone know that we are doing this to protect our guests who we all love very much. Also made sure to include that we understand everyone has a right to choose what to do with their bodies, and that if they cannot attend for this reason, we totally understand.

We already know that our inner most circle of family and friends is vaccinated so I'm not super worried about it. For those few family members on both sides who refuse, we are both ok with hurting feelings/relationships for the sake of keeping everyone safe/alive.

I would put an insert in the invite saying you're asking that everyone be fully vaccinated. On that same insert, I'd list out every covid precaution you are taking so guests know that you're not using the vaccine as a false sense of security. Also put this on your website. On your RSVP, I'd put a reminder that everyone must be vaxxed


I wouldn't ask for proof, that's implying you don't trust them. It's also easy to photoshop, and I don't know if that serial number on the card has privacy implications. Please don't ask guests to flash their vaccine cards at the door. You're not Costco or a nightclub, and people may forget their cards at home.
In my personal experience, anti vaxxers are fairly vocal about it, and you're more likely to get a complainer than a liar.
Are you making exceptions for people who genuinely can't get any vaccine? Some pregnant women are wary of getting vaccinated as well. Have you considered offering a livestream option?

I know most, if not all, of our guests are vaccinated. There is only one anti-vaxer and I doubt she’ll come. I’m thinking of just asking people to mask up if they are uncomfortable or not vaccinated. No kids are attending and all of our family and friends are fully vaccinated at this point. I’m in NJ and we all jumped on it as soon as it was available due to worry about compromised loved ones, etc.

This is interesting that you posted this. I was wondering the same thing. While I’m not requiring my guests to be vaccinated we are requiring proof of a negative test with 24-48 hrs of our wedding. I was wondering the exact same thing about how to communicate that and collect the info.