As Indians, weddings are a massive deal for us. The days of ceremonies, the hundreds of guests, celebrations, rituals, customs – weddings are more than two people starting their life together. For us, it's always about families and friends. No wonder we are known world-over for the big fat Indian wedding! A celebration of love, rituals, customs, and of course, food!
Sadly, the Covid-19 pandemic has dealt a big blow to Indian weddings. Like all other crowd restricted activities, the Indian wedding has become more of an intimate, small affair, with just a handful of guests.
No more Big, Fat, Indian Weddings, Thanks to Coronavirus
As per a recent market survey conducted by The Knot Worldwide, a global wedding planning company, India has witnessed the highest number of wedding celebration cancellations worldwide. Nearly 23% of the couples surveyed stated that they are going ahead with the ceremony, but sans guests and large gatherings.
While 23% of to-be-wed-couples have decided to cancel the wedding reception, 48% are planning one but worried about the health and safety measures taken by vendors. Nearly 80% of the to-be-wed-couples state that they plan to keep it intimate by inviting a few close friends and the immediate family.
But, Worry Not, it's not all Gloom & Doom; Captain Joe has got your Back!
As you would know, Covid-19 is an air-borne virus that is spread when you come in close contact with an infected person. It can be spread by coughs, sneezes, or by touching the surfaces contaminated with the novel coronavirus droplets. This is why a large number of couples have skipped large gatherings and moved on to intimate parties.
At Captain Joe, we’ve put together a list of safety tips that you can follow to hold a safe wedding during these challenging times. We believe that,
"The Wedding Party may be small, but you should Go Big on the Fun & Memories."
To reduce the risk of a possible Coronavirus outbreak, we have compiled a list of tips and precautions to hold a small safe wedding during this pandemic.
1. Be Mindful of Local, State, and National Guidelines
With the Coronavirus situation changing rapidly, you have to be mindful of local, state, and national guidelines. While some states allow gatherings of 100 people or more, others allow only for restricted groups of less than 50 people. So, while booking venues and wedding caterers in Gurgaon, look for caterers and venues who offer you free cancellation if things change at the last minute. If required, inform your local authorities about the function so that you can get the necessary permits in advance.
2. Ditch the Buffet and Opt for Plated/Boxed Meals
Buffets have taken a backseat, and plated meals are on the rise. Individual plated/boxed meals are the safest as guests do not have to wait in lines as in a buffet. These meals are packed in a hygienic kitchen and served to guests directly at their socially-distanced tables.
At Captain Joe, we offer a wide range of plated/boxed meals for small wedding parties in Gurgaon. All the food is freshly prepared in our certified hygienic commercial kitchen. So, you don’t have to worry about the safety and quality of the food.
Here’s a quick overview of the Safety Measures we take:
- Face masks, face shields, hairnets, and gloves worn by all staff at all times – both in the kitchen and while serving food.
- Mandatory temperature checks for our staff daily.
- Proper hand-washing and sanitizing by staff frequently throughout the event.
- Sanitized plates, cutlery, and serving ware.
- All our employees use the Aarogya Setu app.
3. Reimagined Appetizers and Drinks
When you hire Captain Joe for your intimate wedding party in Gurgaon, we ensure that all the safety measures are taken to provide you with a safe and happy evening. One of our biggest changes is that we have reimagined appetizers and drinks. Instead of guests mingling at the buffet tables, we set-up socially-distanced tables for each family.
While the family members are seated at their tables, our staff come around to serve appetizers and beverages. Our team will be wearing face shields, face masks, and gloves at all times to minimize the possibility of infection.
We serve appetizers and drinks at the table for each family. The platter is filled with different appetizers for people to enjoy while seated at their table, maintaining adequate social distancing. Alternatively, we can also include appetizers in packed meal boxes, served individually to each guest. At the same time, they are seated at their table.
4. Ensure Proper Sanitisation
One of the main factors to consider while organising a wedding during the pandemic is proper sanitisation. Ensure that the venue is sanitized thoroughly before the guests arrive. Sanitise all points of contact like doorknobs, tables, chairs, etc. With Captain Joe, you don't have to worry about the sanitisation. We ensure that all tables, chairs at the venue are sanitized for the safety of your guests.
Make sure that you set up a sanitisation point at the entry and exit. You can set up a hands-free sanitizer station at the entrance of the venue. You can also layout masks, tissues, or face shields at the entrance for guests to use and take home. Ensuring proper sanitisation is sure to ease the anxiety of guests, making them feel safe.
5. Deciding the Venue and Number of Guests
Did you know that the possibility of Coronavirus transmission outdoors is 18 times lower than indoors? If the weather permits, you can opt for an outdoor venue. Look for spaces with plenty of ventilation and open air.
When it comes to the number of guests, smaller is always better as it reduces the risk of transmission.
6. Plan for Social Distancing
While arranging the tables and chairs at the venue, space out the seating. You can even place markings on the floor to let guests know that they should maintain distance from others. Put up notices reminding guests to avoid congregating at the entrance, exit, and toilets.
7. Let Guests Know the Rules
While sending out the wedding invites, let guests know the measures you have taken to keep the event safe. Include the rules that they should expect at the venue. This way, everyone is prepared and is on the same page.
- Encourage mask-wearing – you can even provide guests with a monogrammed mask with the couple's initials so that it makes for a great photo-op.
- Place sanitizers at all tables – and encourage guests to use them.
- Distribute immunity kits to all guests – including a face mask and hand sanitizer.
A wedding during the pandemic is sure to be different from regular weddings. But that doesn't mean you have to compromise on the fun. Follow the safety precautions listed here and have a safe, memorable wedding in 2020.
So, what’s next?
Now that you've finished reading the tips, we're sure that you're thinking, "Well, all of this sounds incredible, but how do I put this in motion?"
This is where Captain Joe comes into the picture. As the best small-wedding caterers in Gurgaon, we have taken several measures to ensure that your wedding is memorable and safe for both you and your guests. Get in touch with our team to find out more about our Covid-safe catering in Gurgaon. Just let us know your guest count and the venue, and our team will take care of the rest, offering you the best hygienic and tasty small-wedding party meals in Gurgaon.
Give us a ring, and let's start planning!