Sponsored post by Markel Event Insurance

As COVID-19 cases rise again in many areas of the US, states are slowing their plans to open their economies, and some are even reversing their strategies, instituting new restrictions to try to curb new spikes. The last thing that anyone wants to see is the cases in their area increasing, so doing what they need to do to keep these numbers at bay could be critical for our lives going forward. For example, with the soon to be reopening of pubs and restaurants, looking for this restaurant covid signage and posting it around the vicinity will be very important for staff and customers alike, as if everyone adheres to the rules, it is very unlikely to see a rise in cases. Until this happens though, you could say that our future is very uncertain.

It’s should come as no surprise that since people are spending more times indoors that they are finding ways to entertain themselves. Since we are no longer allowed to go out to the pub or cinemas, then watching films and tv shows is the next call of action for people. There are a lot of tv shows out there thankfully (you can find out more information about these tv shows here). This year might not have gone as planned for people, but they are making it work, and are trying to be as positive as they can. The reality is no one knows how long our society will have to live with the COVID-19 pandemic with numbers changing every week.

When it comes to getting engaged and planning weddings, that creates a very different set of expectations (or lack thereof) and issues to anticipate:

• How long will social distancing last? How long will group restrictions last?
• Is it better to wait it out until a big wedding reception is possible, or should engaged couples find a different way to celebrate?
• Is it even possible to book a date with a venue in the next year with all the rescheduled weddings occupying future availability?
• What if the virus comes back in cycles next year, too?

When the COVID-19 pandemic first broke out, we at Markel Specialty outlined tips for planners and couples who are working on a back-up plan amid the pandemic and then what to expect when filing a wedding cancellation claim for those who had purchased insurance prior to COVID-19. While we don’t know how long this will last, it’s clear that weddings are going to look very different for a while – if not for a couple of years. But that’s not going to stop people from falling in love and wanting to celebrate it. In fact, wedding vendors are adapting to provide wedding magic in new ways as couples go through with their vows.

Venues offer small group or “elopement” packages

One such event business is the Pabst Theater Group in Milwaukee, WI that is now offering what it calls elopement packages for couples who want to celebrate in style with a few close family members and friends – either a 10-person gathering or party of 25 – at one of their historic theaters.

“With the current COVID-19 event restrictions, we’ve reimagined how we can give couples a special way to celebrate on their original wedding date while they hope to have a big reception some day in the future,” said Ann Lennart, Director of Private Events at the Pabst Theater Group. “In our historic theaters, they can still have all the style and elegance they envisioned, even though their plans have had to change.”

The three-hour rental package allows couples to select one of the classic theaters for a ceremony, light reception, and freedom to roam the couple’s chosen venue for a photography session.

“While we offer high-quality live stream production and recording services, bar service, and a photographer, our clients are free to work with the original vendors they had selected if those vendors are still available,” said Sara Peronto, PR Director at the Pabst Theater Group. “Hopefully this allows couples to preserve as much of their original vision as they can while still helping them create a beautiful new celebration if some vendors aren’t able to accommodate the new plan.”

The group has installed plexiglass at the bars, incorporated touchless payment systems, and integrated new staff standards for sanitation and wearing masks. Luckily with portable sanitation station for hand-washing being newly available, the safety for a wedding happening during Covid-19 is at as high of a level as it can possibly be. Currently, the elopement package is temporary, as the business works to offer large parties when groups of 50 or more are allowed to gather again. It is agreed that masks and sanitation are the most important aspects to protecting yourself from Covid-19 and with companies providing N95 masks for sale and other PPE equipment there is not excuse for people not to be wearing these vital supplies to protect the people around them.

Officiants and wedding vendors help make new wedding plans special

As venues offer ceremony-centered packages for small groups given current restrictions, other wedding vendors are doing what they can to accommodate new plans or rescheduled dates, too.

Rev. Jennifer Miller, PhD, is offering complimentary rescheduling for her clients, working with them to rethink their plans for a smaller scale ceremony. For couples who selected her regular wedding ceremony package, she’s even offering to officiate a legal wedding on the original wedding day while still planning to do the original ceremony for them at a later date.

Having officiated weddings nearly every weekend in the past couple of months, she said, “Most everyone is skipping the meals and receptions and concentrating on what matters most: the actual wedding ceremony. This is a true testimony of their love in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.”

Rev. Miller notes that elopement-style weddings are popular with a guest list of under 10 people, and outdoor ceremonies are becoming more common, too, taking advantage of parks, backyards, and porches. Many couples are getting creative with video streaming tools, such as Zoom, so friends and family can participate remotely, and some are still able to work with their selected florists for scaled-down needs and photographers to capture the day.

While it may not be what couples imagined, she reiterated, “Remember the marriage itself is the whole reason for all the celebrating, and we can always make the marriage happen, even under quarantine. You can be legally married and have a beautiful testimony of your love for each other. That’s the important part, so don’t hesitate to get married. This is about you and your love, and not even a pandemic can stop the power of love.”

Are you adjusting your wedding plans because of COVID-19? We want to hear from you and with your permission, may share your story. Email your story to Markel at maicmarketing@markel.com.

This document is intended for general information purposes only, and should not be construed as advice or opinions on any specific facts or circumstances. The content of this document is made available on an “as is” basis, without warranty of any kind. This document can’t be assumed to contain every acceptable safety and compliance procedures or that additional procedures might not be appropriate under the circumstances. Markel does not guarantee that this information is or can be relied on for compliance with any law or regulation, assurance against preventable losses, or freedom from legal liability. This publication is not intended to be legal, underwriting, or any other type of professional advice. Persons requiring advice should consult an independent adviser. Markel does not guarantee any particular outcome and makes no commitment to update any information herein, or remove any items that are no longer accurate or complete. Furthermore, Markel does not assume any liability to any person or organization for loss of damage caused by or resulting from any reliance placed on that content.

*Markel Specialty is a business division of Markel Service, Incorporated, the underwriting manager for the Markel affiliated insurance companies.

As COVID-19 cases rise again in many areas of the US, states are slowing their plans to open their economies, and some are even reversing their strategies, instituting new restrictions to try to curb new spikes. The last thing that anyone wants to see is the cases in their area increasing, so doing what they need to do to keep these numbers at bay could be critical for our lives going forward. For example, with the soon to be reopening of pubs and restaurants, looking for this restaurant covid signage and posting it around the vicinity will be very important for staff and customers alike, as if everyone adheres to the rules, it is very unlikely to see a rise in cases. Until this happens though, you could say that our future is very uncertain.

It’s should come as no surprise that since people are spending more times indoors that they are finding ways to entertain themselves. Since we are no longer allowed to go out to the pub or cinemas, then watching films and tv shows is the next call of action for people. There are a lot of tv shows out there thankfully (you can find out more information about these tv shows here). This year might not have gone as planned for people, but they are making it work, and are trying to be as positive as they can. The reality is no one knows how long our society will have to live with the COVID-19 pandemic with numbers changing every week.

When it comes to getting engaged and planning weddings, that creates a very different set of expectations (or lack thereof) and issues to anticipate:

• How long will social distancing last? How long will group restrictions last?
• Is it better to wait it out until a big wedding reception is possible, or should engaged couples find a different way to celebrate?
• Is it even possible to book a date with a venue in the next year with all the rescheduled weddings occupying future availability?
• What if the virus comes back in cycles next year, too?

When the COVID-19 pandemic first broke out, we at Markel Specialty outlined tips for planners and couples who are working on a back-up plan amid the pandemic and then what to expect when filing a wedding cancellation claim for those who had purchased insurance prior to COVID-19. While we don’t know how long this will last, it’s clear that weddings are going to look very different for a while – if not for a couple of years. But that’s not going to stop people from falling in love and wanting to celebrate it. In fact, wedding vendors are adapting to provide wedding magic in new ways as couples go through with their vows.

Venues offer small group or “elopement” packages

One such event business is the Pabst Theater Group in Milwaukee, WI that is now offering what it calls elopement packages for couples who want to celebrate in style with a few close family members and friends – either a 10-person gathering or party of 25 – at one of their historic theaters.

“With the current COVID-19 event restrictions, we’ve reimagined how we can give couples a special way to celebrate on their original wedding date while they hope to have a big reception some day in the future,” said Ann Lennart, Director of Private Events at the Pabst Theater Group. “In our historic theaters, they can still have all the style and elegance they envisioned, even though their plans have had to change.”

The three-hour rental package allows couples to select one of the classic theaters for a ceremony, light reception, and freedom to roam the couple’s chosen venue for a photography session.

“While we offer high-quality live stream production and recording services, bar service, and a photographer, our clients are free to work with the original vendors they had selected if those vendors are still available,” said Sara Peronto, PR Director at the Pabst Theater Group. “Hopefully this allows couples to preserve as much of their original vision as they can while still helping them create a beautiful new celebration if some vendors aren’t able to accommodate the new plan.”

The group has installed plexiglass at the bars, incorporated touchless payment systems, and integrated new staff standards for sanitation and wearing masks. Luckily with portable sanitation station for hand-washing being newly available, the safety for a wedding happening during Covid-19 is at as high of a level as it can possibly be. Currently, the elopement package is temporary, as the business works to offer large parties when groups of 50 or more are allowed to gather again. It is agreed that masks and sanitation are the most important aspects to protecting yourself from Covid-19 and with companies providing N95 masks for sale and other PPE equipment there is not excuse for people not to be wearing these vital supplies to protect the people around them.

Officiants and wedding vendors help make new wedding plans special

As venues offer ceremony-centered packages for small groups given current restrictions, other wedding vendors are doing what they can to accommodate new plans or rescheduled dates, too.

Rev. Jennifer Miller, PhD, is offering complimentary rescheduling for her clients, working with them to rethink their plans for a smaller scale ceremony. For couples who selected her regular wedding ceremony package, she’s even offering to officiate a legal wedding on the original wedding day while still planning to do the original ceremony for them at a later date.

Having officiated weddings nearly every weekend in the past couple of months, she said, “Most everyone is skipping the meals and receptions and concentrating on what matters most: the actual wedding ceremony. This is a true testimony of their love in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health.”

Rev. Miller notes that elopement-style weddings are popular with a guest list of under 10 people, and outdoor ceremonies are becoming more common, too, taking advantage of parks, backyards, and porches. Many couples are getting creative with video streaming tools, such as Zoom, so friends and family can participate remotely, and some are still able to work with their selected florists for scaled-down needs and photographers to capture the day.

While it may not be what couples imagined, she reiterated, “Remember the marriage itself is the whole reason for all the celebrating, and we can always make the marriage happen, even under quarantine. You can be legally married and have a beautiful testimony of your love for each other. That’s the important part, so don’t hesitate to get married. This is about you and your love, and not even a pandemic can stop the power of love.”

Are you adjusting your wedding plans because of COVID-19? We want to hear from you and with your permission, may share your story. Email your story to Markel at maicmarketing@markel.com.

This document is intended for general information purposes only, and should not be construed as advice or opinions on any specific facts or circumstances. The content of this document is made available on an “as is” basis, without warranty of any kind. This document can’t be assumed to contain every acceptable safety and compliance procedures or that additional procedures might not be appropriate under the circumstances. Markel does not guarantee that this information is or can be relied on for compliance with any law or regulation, assurance against preventable losses, or freedom from legal liability. This publication is not intended to be legal, underwriting, or any other type of professional advice. Persons requiring advice should consult an independent adviser. Markel does not guarantee any particular outcome and makes no commitment to update any information herein, or remove any items that are no longer accurate or complete. Furthermore, Markel does not assume any liability to any person or organization for loss of damage caused by or resulting from any reliance placed on that content.

*Markel Specialty is a business division of Markel Service, Incorporated, the underwriting manager for the Markel affiliated insurance companies.