DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Governor Evers’ recent order limits indoor public gatherings to a quarter of their normal capacity. But, there are some exceptions, including many weddings, and their outdoor reception areas.
“All of this is around individual responsibility, every single piece of it, whether it’s related to our order or related to people’s behavior,” Gov. Evers said.
Health officials are warning that large weddings are not a good idea.
“The outbreaks are coming from any type of gathering at this point, so it could be a tailgate, it could be a wedding,” Brown County Public Health strategist Claire Paprocki said.
“If they are comfortable, and they feel they can keep their distance, and it is a safe environment, then we’d like them to celebrate people getting married,” wedding planner Allison Kline said.
Kline owns LedgeCrest Reserve, a De Pere wedding venue, where they’ve had to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It almost seems like a normal way of life now,” Kline said. “Silverware needs to be covered, when the food is served it has to be served it can’t be out, peoples’ hands can’t be in things.”
Tables that would usually sit as many as 10 people, are now seating four to six, for physical distancing.
For many couples, their special day has been planned as many as two years out.
“So we need to hold up our legal obligation to them and show up on their date,” Kline said.
But Wisconsinites weren’t planning for a pandemic, and because of concerns about COVID-19, not everyone is showing up.
“A lot of people have lost part of the bridal party, their ushers, the bridesmaid,” Kline said.
For those who do come, Kline says they’re choosing to stay further apart and keep their masks on.
The wedding planning is more than just an investment in time, Kline says large weddings are starting at $30,000. Money well spent for some…
“They’re sticking in this because they’ve been engaged for so long, they want to be married and get on with their life,” Kline said.
Kline told FOX 11 that business is down about 60% from a normal year, and they’re expecting a quiet winter.
She predicts next summer there will be a lot of weddings happening at the same time, as some of this year’s events were postponed until then.
Comments