HOW TO BOOK AND PLAN YOUR "MICRO-EVENT" WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE GUEST EXPERIENCE

The wedding industry has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic—but it’s also one of the industries that’s coming back the fastest as restrictions on live events begin to cautiously ease. 

While virtual ceremonies undoubtedly remain a popular option, planners and event clients are finding creative ways to host so-called “micro-weddings" and other “micro-events” such as baby showers, birthday parties, engagement parties etc. These events often present 20 guests or fewer and are designed to offer safety without sacrificing the day’s special feeling and guest experience.  

Weddings and engagement parties are about celebrating the love of two special people. Birthday parties and baby showers are about celebrating life. If the focus remains on that truth, everything else will come together.

Here are some lessons and best practices from these small gatherings that all event professionals can learn from until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted:

1. Choose unique venue spaces 

Now that you have a smaller guest list the range of venue options is bigger! There are many unique venues that are now ready to host events while respecting all of the city and CDC guidelines to host gathering safely.

Outdoor venues are certainly the best and safest options at this time, allowing guests to attend a ceremony, reception or cocktail hour under the stars or out in the sun while staying 6 feet apart.

Piovra Group has curated a list of outdoor event spaces and is offering all-inclusive packages designed specifically for intimate weddings and micro-events including bar service, furniture and catering for small guest counts.

Check out the Redondo Beach Rooftop Event space and The Fifth Rooftop Event Space in Anaheim and contact us to book one of our outdoor and Covid-19 compliant event spaces available for you today.

COVID COMPLIANT FEATURED VENUES

THE REDONDO ROOFTOP
REDONDO BEACH - SOUTH BAY

THE FIFTH ROOFTOP
ANAHEIM - ORANGE COUNTY

2. Play with creative layouts and timeline

With limitations on guest counts and requirements for physical distancing, live events are going to look a bit different for quite a while. But that doesn’t mean the guest experience needs to be sacrificed.

Yes, we may see less seats during a ceremony and fewer guests seating at each table but that won’t mean less enjoyable events.

A rise in so called “multi-weddings” is also predicted. These events involve guests attending the wedding in shifts or at different smaller events planned throughout the weekend.

Planners will need to get creative with layouts and timeline and show their true talent while keeping every guest safe.

3. Rethink food and beverage service

One of the biggest challenges for anyone looking to host an event is food service. Passed cuisine, buffet-style dining, and food stations are not aligned with social-distancing guidelines. 

Bar service will need to change as well. Instead of offering refills, every glass should be cleaned after each use, and used glasses must be returned to an area other than where the initial drink was served.

Small plates and live-action stations at weddings may become even more popular while family style dining and self-service buffets will not be an option for a while. 

Seated and plated dinner service represent one of the safest catering options during Covid as it will allows guests to maintain their position and respect social distancing throughout most of the event.

4. Think about hosting an “hybrid event”

Corporate, non-profit and wedding event professionals are now discussing the future of events and the importance of considering a new and innovative event format, Hybrid events.

These events are planned to include a small group of guests attending the event in person while a larger group is connected virtually.

New turnkey event packages include live streaming solutions, something you rarely experienced in the past at a wedding or a baby shower.

Piovra Group and its team of venue matchmakers is dedicated to assist all of their clients to find the perfect Covid-19 compliant event space and make sure the guest experience won’t be sacrificed while hosting any micro-wedding or micro-event.