Making a Celebration Happen Even During a Pandemic, 5 steps to do so.

There are a lot of unanswered questions and a whole lot of fear regarding the pandemic that has turned our lives upside down. Perhaps one of the most upsetting or frustrating aspects in this real life struggle is coming together. For years we were all hidden behind screens and now that we are forced to for the most part not have human contact in person, it's all we want to do.

So what are some creative ways to make that happen. Well Adore Magazine set out with Editor in Chief Kat Minks ( of Kat Minks Design) to find out. How exactly can we Celebrate a Wedding, a Birthday, a Baby Shower, a new Business Idea, Staff or Customers, and more!

As outlined in the newest issue of Adore Magazine there are ways to gather safely and by following orders. No, we cannot have 100, 200, 300 people indoors ( unless you're renting out a stadium and if you are a 25% capacity and where people can remain 6 feet away from each other at all times) is an option we suppose. Most likely the general public will not do that. So here are a few great ways to gather safely. To read full article grab your copy of Adore Magazine Summer Fall edition now.

1) In all of the following scenarios we suggest having :

*Pre packaged and individually served food ( No Buffets!). You can still do cute displays but have things done in packaging that guests can take and go and that are covered preferably or put out right before guests arrive so that they do not get contaminated with droplets that are said to travel and live in air.

*You also want to be sure everyone wears Masks and you offer plenty of anti bacterial stations ( hand washing stations and hand sanitizer stations) for guests to use. Make it easy for people to follow the guidelines and be safe by actually offering the masks at your event. Potentially making it fun for people by giving them a gift of mask they can reuse that is cute or fun a clip on hand sanitizer for their purse or jeans, etc...

*Port-a-potties or restroom trailers to eliminate people from entering your home if you are having a private event.

*Send out press screening questions in an email or google form for your guests to fill out. Not only does this make your guests think twice about potentially infecting people if they have been exposed or have the virus, but it lets you know who is a potential hazard to everyone attending's health.

*Assign seating in grouping of 2, 4, or 6 ( guests sit with their own family) and if you are the guest of honor of host you sit at your own table ( for a wedding this would be sweetheart table)

2) Hold Event or Wedding at an Actual Venue - Venues because they are businesses are under guidance and mandate to clean and follow certain guidelines ( screening questions, hand washing stations, etc). If these businesses don't abide they could find themselves out of business. Additionally if you are planning a ceremony for your wedding or funeral that can be done in a place of worship. No you cannot serve food to all of those people afterwards unless its outdoors at tables with family in numbers of 4 or 6. But it is something. Check with the venue you are thinking of to see what type of space they have for outdoor gatherings where social distancing can be maintained and still follow guidelines. MN State guidelines can be found here. As an additional resource you can check other states guidelines here

3) Postpone your larger event for an anniversary in one to two years and do an intimate Mini or Micro Wedding - Or Intimate Event

In the state of MN private gatherings are allowed at private residences of 25 outdoors or10 indoors.

For Venues:

In indoor settings, occupancy must not exceed 50 percent of the normal occupant capacity as determined by the fire marshal, with a maximum of 250 people in a single self- contained space.
In outdoor settings, gatherings must not exceed 250 individuals.

4) Do a Scheduled Open House style event, tented and with scheduled time slots for small groups. Allow your guests to attend a celebration by giving time slots and hiring someone (masked and gloved) to clean in between time slots as well as replenishing food.

5) In order to pull events off Planners, Consultants, and Coordinators have become more important than ever. When you're not having to be the enforcer at your event it helps to have vendors that know what they are doing adn have their own safety as well as yours at heart. Many states are finding businesses that don't adhere to regulations. This does not mean however that you can't do anything. It just means celebrations are different and even if they develop a vaccine within a year we all know events in general and the way people gather is going to be different from this point forward.