Our Response to COVID-19

Outer Banks wedding vendors are familiar with the need to postpone an event due to a greater issue, usually it’s weather related.

Now we are faced with a different adversary, COVID-19. Over the weekend, the Center for Disease Control issued a statement recommending that in-person events that consist of 50 or more people in the United States to be canceled or postponed for the next eight weeks. They also suggested that, “Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing.”

For couples who are planning their wedding on the Outer Banks, we recommend that you reach out to your planners and vendors to open a dialogue about the current situation. Your vendors are invested in your wedding and are very closely monitoring the ever-changing environment we’re faced with at this time. We are all well versed in moving forward and will work together to find a solution.

We recommend reaching out to guests and determine if they still plan to attend your wedding. By doing so, it could lower your guest count which would help in reducing the possibility of spread and contamination. This is extremely important for older guests, those with underlying conditions and anyone traveling long-distances who may be at a greater risk of contracting COVID-19.

Most of all, stay informed. There are plenty of resources with preventative measures to reduce the risk of contracting and/or spreading the virus. Stay up-to-date with the most recent changes and suggestions from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The Knot is an excellent resource with articles to help guide us through the process.

Have open communication with your planner, vendors, and guests to make the best decisions for the health and safety of everyone involved. We recommend staying positive and being patient in these times of uncertainty and remember we’re all in this together!

In health and hope!

The Outer Banks Wedding Association