Three Things to Remember if You’re Getting Married in 2021

* Please note that the information in this article is based on NC state requirements, please visit your states government webpage for more information*

I think that it is fair to say that we are all itching for weddings this year, especially those couples who were forced to postpone their weddings last year. But the time has finally come and your big day will be here before you know it! 

We know that planning your wedding has been an interesting and likely stressful experience, but with some new restrictions on events, we wanted to make sure that you have all the information you need for your wedding to go off without a bang. Luckily, most venues are open and most vendors are accepting clients again, however, it is important to understand that there are some new requirements and restrictions around events in North Carolina to which everyone must follow. 

Obtaining your Marriage License

First things first, the way you obtain a marriage certificate has changed slightly and will depend upon your county. One thing that hasn’t changed is you can obtain a wedding certificate from any county in North Carolina, regardless of where you live or are going to be wed (as long as its in NC). 

What’s new is that each county in North Carolina has different procedures for obtaining the license. Some are requiring that you make an appointment and come into the office to file the paperwork like we’ve always done, however other counties have set it up to where you can file for the certificate online. You should contact your local Register of Deeds office for more information. 

Find the closest Register of Deeds office near you: Click here

Capacity Restrictions 

The second thing that you need to remember is that most venues are under capacity restrictions. At the moment, venues are required by the state to operate at 30% capacity or 100 total people (not just guests) – whichever is less.  Make sure to clarify with your venue before sending out invitations. 

Special Covid Clauses – Vendor Specific 

And lastly, everyone is handling COVID restrictions differently, so make sure that you know and understand the clauses for your venue and all your vendors. For example, if you are hiring a caterer, some are only doing outdoor events with less than 100 guests, if you plan to have 150 guests, you might need to find a new caterer. Also, ask about cancellation and rescheduling fees, many wedding professional have included rescheduling fees due to Covid (since this is no longer unforeseen).

We hope that your wedding is everything you dream it will be and please know that you are not alone in the struggles you are facing when planning your wedding in current times. Keep your head and heart up and know that we are here to help should you ever need it – whether it’s helping with the planning, floral design, or just venting, we are here to make your wedding experience a great one! 

Warm Wishes & Happy Planning! 

Jennifer & the Flourish Team