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Had to put off your wedding because of COVID-19 concerns? Consider one in the summer

Posted 7/28/20

Since the onset of COVID-19 concerns, no one has been having large outdoor and indoor weddings, with venues at a standstill. That’s starting to change, with businesses gearing up for the fall …

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Had to put off your wedding because of COVID-19 concerns? Consider one in the summer

Posted

Since the onset of COVID-19 concerns, no one has been having large outdoor and indoor weddings, with venues at a standstill. That’s starting to change, with businesses gearing up for the fall and thereafter and even hosting weddings this summer with social-distancing requirements and enhanced cleaning protocols.

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale reopened in June and has hosted some small weddings, Terri Benich, director of sales and marketing, said. The resort is at 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, in the Gainey Ranch community.

“The resort reopened on June 1 and we’ve already hosted a few micro-weddings and are diligently working with our upcoming brides/grooms,” she said.

Changes that have been made in operating procedures to protect guests and colleagues include:

  • Social distancing required in all public areas and meeting spaces, with social-distancing signage and floor decals displayed throughout the resort.
  • Face masks required for all guests throughout the public areas of the resort, including meeting/event spaces, if social distancing is not possible.
  • Disinfecting protocols including high-touch surfaces in areas such as lobbies, guestrooms, restaurants, meeting/event space, recreational areas, public restrooms, elevator buttons and employee areas.
  • Event capacities have been modified to allow proper social-distancing. Meeting-room layouts will be tailored to each event in order to ensure distancing and a quality experience.

“As you can imagine during this time we are operating with reduced staffing and our time and energy is focused on our guest’s experience while on-property,” Ms. Benich said.

In the far east Valley, a museum with views of the Superstition Mountains and Western touches such as a barn and chapel has been open in March, April, May and June for weddings.

“Yes, we have had a couple of wedding ceremonies --- about three during that time,” Tammy Noordyke, assistant to the executive director at Superstition Mountain Museum, said. The museum, 4087 N. Apache Trail (State Route 88), is just outside the City of Apache Junction.

“We have the Elvis Chapel and the outdoor amphitheater for rental for wedding ceremonies. The museum and grounds boast the beautiful background of the majestic Superstition Mountains for pictures,” she said.

The museum requires social-distancing and cleaning due to COVID-19 concerns, she said.

“Our facilities crew has disinfected the chapel before and after the ceremonies. We limited the party number to 10 in the chapel and 10 to 15 out in the amphitheater. The museum and grounds were closed off during the time you asked about, so the crowds were not a problem,” Ms. Noordyke said.

“Cleaning and disinfecting are still our priority and keeping our staff and that of our visitors safe. Masks are required and limited amount of people are permitted in the gift shop and gallery,” she said. “We are still limiting the amount of people in the wedding party/guests.”

The Views At Superstition, 6900 E. U.S. Highway 60 Suite No. 204 in Gold Canyon, was not open for weddings March-May, Tracy Machajewski, owner of The Views At Superstition, said.

“Unfortunately we had to postpone all of our March, April and May 2020 weddings to the fall of this year. Most of our weddings do not occur during the hot months here in Arizona so we did not have any weddings booked in June,” she said. “We had one small private event of 50 guests in June that we hosted. We also hosted our vendor open house on June 17 and followed government guidelines.”

Clients and their guests are encouraged to wear a mask and to practice social distancing due to COVID-19 concerns, she said,

“We have done all the necessary recommendations to keep our clients, their families and our employees safe. We recommend everyone that enters the venue wear a mask and practice the recommended 6-foot social distancing,” Ms. Machajewski said. “Our cleaning and sanitation practices have always been a high priority even prior to COVID-19. During events we plan to disinfect all heavily touched surfaces throughout the event. We have complimentary masks and hand sanitizer throughout the venue.”

New bookings have the option of an intimate package of 50 guests or fewer at the venue, and a new outdoor area is available, she said.

“We are taking this day by day, altering safety procedures and allowing for rescheduling of our October weddings. For new bookings, we are offering new options, such as our elopement package or intimate package for 50 guests or less,” Ms. Machajewski said. “We also are offering our new ‘Under The Stars’ outdoor ceremony and reception venue with plenty of room to space all guest and vendor tables.”