For this weeks spotlight, we spoke to Kelly Presperin, a freelance wedding consultant based in Los Angeles. We discussed the current state of the wedding industry in LA, how the planning process has developed under COVID and the benefits of negotiating venue contracts. 

Tell us about how c-19 has impacted the wedding industry in LA? Can brides still go ahead with their big day?

Brides can still move forward with their big day… But not how they necessarily imagined it! When the bride I worked for hosted her wedding on August 1st 2020, we were only allowed to have the wedding outside, we could not permit guests to step into the venue other than to be served dinner at the buffet (they could not serve themselves) and to use the restroom. The wedding party was allowed in their suites with a limited number of people at a time and guests were only *officially* allowed to remove their masks during the processional (wedding party only), while eating, and while taking photos. In our case, these restrictions ultimately came down to the size of the space vs the guest count and the ventilation/window openings. This has changed since and venues are allowing parties back inside after 11/1 based on guest count per square foot! 

How are you approaching the wedding planning process for the remainder of the year? 

I have learned that the best approach is to get creative and that any previous rule needs to be thrown out the window. Many rules as we know them have been changed, removed or bent based on COVID protocols trumping old procedures. For example, the venue I worked with used to not be permitted to play outdoor music, as it is in a business district. Because they are now required to host all events solely outside, this music ban was lifted. They are now actually busier than ever. Additionally, many contacts are now very fluid, as they should be. Many brides signed contracts under the assumption that they would be using these spaces to their full capabilities. Now that this is no longer the case, the contract does not necessarily stand as-is. For this reason, it is fair to negotiate a no-minimum clause because you should not be expected to meet a number originally set when expecting a larger product than what will be provided. This is beneficial as guest lists are ever-changing with everyone’s comfortability unknown until very close to the actual date. 

What are the top priorities/requests that come through to you from brides in planning their big day?

Some of our top priorities were that everyone felt safe and still had fun. She also wanted it to not feel like we were constantly in COVID compliance, but that it was more natural. This was challenging as the logistics of remaining socially distant at an event meant to bring people together is inherently unnatural and requires a lot of strategy and planning that is not exactly graceful when converting the space throughout the event. 

It was very important to make guests trust that you have done your due diligence so we made sure to have twice as many chairs as guests so that we could constantly disinfect, as well as, pull chairs when groups sat down to eliminate the option of groups being sat next to each other. 

Is wedding photography a key feature? How do the photos get shared with guests? 

Wedding photography was a huge feature as only half of the original guest list was in attendance, we also streamed the event so guests could tune in throughout the night! 

I am not exactly sure how photos were shared as it was only a few weeks ago, i know there was a Hashtag. 

Do you think that adding a new tech twist to a wedding like Photofoxx would be of interest to brides? It means that both the bride and the guests wouldn’t miss out on any amazing shots of themselves on the big day, thanks to photo-matching technology! 

I do think this is a good idea. In my experience, the photographer has provided a link to the couple to send to guests following the event which they could look through photos to find themselves. 

Find out how Photofoxx can be beneficial for your wedding here and make scrolling through reams of photos a thing of the past with fast, private access to photos for all wedding guests.