While the worst of winter might be behind us, we do still have some chilly months ahead. That means finding places that have the option of an indoor setting. Don’t let the idea of planning on a shorter timeframe, the cold weather and covid deter you from getting married over the next few months. In today’s post I’m going to give you some ideas for where to get married, how to make it happen and of course, how to do it safely.

Before we dive into details, I’ll break down the current guidelines in NY and NJ. Right now in NY, Governor Cuomo announced that starting March 15, venues can host weddings and/or catered events at 50 percent capacity, with no more than 150 people in attendance.

Governor Murphy has also put more restrictions in place in New Jersey. Indoor wedding receptions are capped at 10 people while outdoor weddings are capped at 25 people. Wedding ceremonies are capped at 35% of a venue’s capacity. If you are getting married at home, it’s not 100% clear which guideline to follow, but likely the general gathering guideline of 10 people indoors.

As it stands now, dancing is not technically allowed in New Jersey, but will be allowed in New York as long as masks are worn and social distancing guidelines are followed. While you will see varying degrees of how intensely venues and vendors are enforcing this rule, it’s important to note liquor licenses are on the line if they were to get caught going against regulations.

This might seem scary at first glance, but as I’ve already mentioned, there are ways to plan an indoor wedding during covid safely. Now that you understand the rules, let’s talk about safety measures.

Covid Wedding Safety Tips

Provide Your Guests with Everything they Need Upfront

Set the tone as soon as your guests arrive with a welcome table. You can provide individual sanitizers or a few larger ones, as well as custom masks. If you’re doing assigned seating, spread escort cards out so people aren’t touching others’ cards, or opt for a table board instead.

Spread Out Seating

For super intimate weddings, you may not even need ceremony seating. If you’re having an under 20 minute ceremony, asking guests to stand is not a problem. That way they can space out in a semi-circle around you, everyone will have a good view and no one will be sitting too close. As an alternative, break your guest list down by pod and set chairs out in small groupings rather than traditional rows.

For dinner, keep the spread out seating in mind if you’re ordering a tent. You’ll likely want to go with a bigger tent than you’d typically need for your size group. Again, seat by pod and opt for smaller tables (30” rounds for 2 people, 36” for 4 people and 42” for 6 people), or go with larger (60” - 72” rounds) and seat two pods but on opposite sides.

Serve Individually and By Pod

Food service will look a bit different during covid, especially in the winter. An outdoor cocktail hour will be hard, but that doesn’t mean you have to completely give up on hors d’oeuvres. Ask your caterer or restaurant to individually plate an assortment for each guests. Serve at each place setting if guests are sitting right away. If you have the space, you can set a few lounge areas or hightops with stools and guests can consume their food and beverage while seated in there.

For dinner, if you’re assigning tables by pod, you can go with family style, but a plate meal is probably the safest.

Another way to discourage mingling is to have beverage service done at the table. Often the biggest line (and therefore people standing in close proximity) is for the bar. Ask your catering team to have a dedicated staff member taking drink orders and bringing guests their drinks. You can also have bottles of wine set at each table for self pouring during dinner time.

Hire Professionals

Of course this is always a good idea, but it’s especially true during covid. Vendors have been adjusting and refining their processes over the past 8 months and are there to ensure everyone stays safe. As a planner, I’m there to oversee all of the vendors and add that extra layer of safety.

See below for some great options in both NYC and New Jersey. As restrictions change, I’ll update this post.

New Jersey

Antique Loft

Location: Hoboken

Antique Loft is a great space, centrally located in Hoboken! It’s a clean, modern space so it’s easy to decorate for any style. There is a terrace attached to the space as well, so if the weather is cooperating, you can certainly have your ceremony outside, followed by an intimate indoor seated dinner.

The W

Location: Hoboken

The W has a few different space available for weddings, but their rooftop space is definitely the most special. It has a terrace with an amazing view of the water, with an indoor space equipped with it’s own bar and even a pool table which brings a bit of a retro vibe.

Rooftop at Exchange Place

Location: Jersey City

The Rooftop at the Hyatt House in NJ has a gorgeous view of the NYC skyline and is a perfect amount of space for an intimate group. There is a terrace attached to the fully enclosed (but all glass walled space) so if it is a particularly mild day, guests can gather outside as well.

Ninety Acres

Location: Peapack

Ninety Acres restaurant at Natirar has a great option for smaller groups. Their wine cellar room attached to the restaurant has a sweet patio adjacent to a grassy field. Couples can have their ceremony in the field, followed by dinner inside the space, or out on the patio. For the Spring and Summer seasons, they’ll actually be tenting the patio!

Batello

Location: Jersey City

If delicious Italian food sounds like it would make your wedding day, Battello might be the spot for you. Their private room has a rustic, vintage feel and has plenty of space for guests to spread out, while also not feeling overwhelming for a smaller group. They do have a 30 person minimum for events, but you are more than welcome to have fewer guests as long as you are ok with the food and beverage minimum.

Pizza Porta

Location: Jersey City

Pizza Porta has a great private room for 20 person (or under) guest count. You can have your ceremony on the rooftop, followed by your dinner a private space. With mismatched chairs and string lights, the space is super charming and doesn’t need a ton of decor!

New York

The Wythe Hotel

Location: Brooklyn

The Wythe has put together a capsule micro wedding program for smaller weddings during this time. There are a few different room options including a beautiful loft space, and their dark and romantic Cooper room.

Temple Court

Location: NYC

I love the dreamy hanging wisteria and indoor/outdoor feel you get at Temple Court, not to mention the food program is by Tom Colicchio.

Nomo Soho

Location: NYC

If a gorgeous view and a blank canvas space are your thing, the penthouse at the Nomo Soho Hotel is for you.

Crosby Street Hotel

Location: NYC

If you’re looking to include an overnight stay in your plans, consider having your ceremony in a suite at the Crosby Street Hotel. They have a few different suite options, as well as two private rooms for a dinner to follow.

Brooklyn Winery

Location: Brooklyn

Brooklyn Winery has put together two great options for intimate weddings: a micro wedding package for under 30 guests (weeknights and weekend afternoons available), as well as a small wedding celebration package in which they will shut down their entire space for under 50 guests.