PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As COVID-19 levels across the country fluctuate, the virus is impacting how some couples are approaching their wedding invitations.
“Definitely the 'COVID insert' is the new thing," said Carolyn Brandhorst, the owner of the Papery in Midtown Village, about the unprecedented steps couples are taking with their invites.
She said that in addition to a wedding invitation, a reception card and an RSVP return card, brides are also now including what she’s calling that "COVID insert."
"Dear family and friends, for the safety of all our guests, we request that you bring proof of a COVID vaccination or proof of a negative test 72 hours before the wedding," one of those inserts reads.
Bride-to-be Kiki Aranita explained that it’s a way of telling your guests what is expected of them when it comes to their health and the health of others.
"It’s a promise to everyone who is attending that not only are you vaccinated, but you have your vaccination card in hand," she said.
Theresa Pierantozzi of South Philadelphia said she didn’t print paper COVID-19 instructions for her fall wedding.
"But we are going to continuously update our wedding website," she said, "which we never thought that we would utilize until this year. We’ve never updated it so much!”
Pierantozzi said she gets it if people have to back out of coming because of the virus.
Related
“We are very understanding if someone had to cancel last minute due to an exposure or, you know, a positive test of COVID," she said.
Bride-to-be Alexandra Fishman has an electronic RSVP for her guests. It reads "By the wedding date, my party and I will be, and then they could choose from fully vaccinated, willing to take a rapid COVID test on the day of, or not attending.“
“I don’t think it’s any type of proper. I think it’s personal and what you feel comfortable doing. It’s your day," Brandhorst said about the etiquette of it all.
"(Brides) definitely know what they want."