So, you're getting married during a Global Pandemic..
Venue - CHECK!
Band - GOT IT!
Dress - DONE!
Guest List - struggled but WE DID IT!
If all of that wasn’t hard enough, you can thank the universe for throwing in a pandemic. Given the time and effort it takes to make the dream wedding come true, it can be hard to accept that a global pandemic may severely alter your plans. .While the headlines may be more focused on the health and wellbeing of the nation, the coronavirus has unleashed it’s wrath on weddings around the globe. Depending on where you are located, you may be currently experiencing quarantines, business closures, travel bans or complete state shutdowns in order to keep the overall population healthy and safe.
Step 1: IF YOU’RE ALREADY MARRIED TO YOUR DATE
Perhaps you feel you cannot possibly wait any longer to marry the love of your life. Reasons for this - the date you chose is sentimental to you as a couple, or you desperately need to reap the benefits of your partner’s health insurance. In these instances, you may not have many options left at this point.
If the show must go on, consider exchanging your vows and inviting your family and friends to join you on Zoom!
Step 2: POSTPONING
If the date of your event is ultimately in danger, consider postponing. Not only do we want to look out for our own health but those in our family who are older and a part of the “high risk” population. It is time to move! Here are some tips we compiled to hopefully help you save the day!
Step 3: DO NOT CANCEL...I REPEAT, DO NOT CANCEL!
A lot of time, effort, excitement and love has already been put into your wedding planning. Work with your vendors to find new date options instead of canceling all together. Being overwhelmed and stressed may tempt you to just cancel everything. But, there is a risk that you will be losing all or most of the money you have already shelled out and they may even require you to continue making payments on the wedding you canceled.
Step 4: BE FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR NEW DATE
You may want to consider more non-traditional wedding days, like Friday or Sunday. Maybe even a weekday wedding Being flexible increases the chances that your venue will be available and that vendors will be able to accommodate your new date.
Step 5: HOWEVER YOU FEEL IS OKAY
Weddings are a major life event that take a lot of time and effort to plan. It is completely reasonable and valid to be feeling “all of the feels.” You may find yourself navigating the stages of grief, feeling confused, or just being flat out disappointed. One thing is for sure, no one could have predicted that we would have been ensnared in a global pandemic at the time of your wedding. If it makes you feel better, many couples are going through this and your wedding guests understand that this is out of your control.
Step 6: YOUR NEW DATE WILL COME AND IT WILL BE GREAT!
You may be feeling sad, mad, frustrated, disappointed, or anything in between. When you are ready, let those feelings go and let yourself feel open to your new special day. Your new date will arrive and you will celebrate the love you share with your partner, which may now feel even stronger than before, as you have overcome this unfortunate change in plans, together. Your family and friends will surround you. The band or DJ will play for all to dance the night away happily! And one day - believe it or not - you will look back on this with a smile as you retell this story to the next generation.