COVID-19 & Weddings: Where to Start
Alright my friends, here to update you that we are still planning on getting married this June. We haven’t moved our wedding date because our venue, at this time, is due to reopen in May. Obviously things are changing every day and every hour, but as of April 1, we haven’t been asked to postpone.
Some days I am confident and excited and others I am terrified, stressed, and on the verge of tears every hour. Today I am feeling hopeful so let’s hope it stays that way!
But if you are in the same position as us, here’s how to start thinking about moving your date.
Determine what is important to YOU. I know plenty of people who are deciding to go to the courthouse (if they’re open) or eloping on their original date. That’s amazing! But it’s also okay if that isn’t what you want to do. You can totally wait. No one’s opinion matters but yours and your partner’s.
Contact your venue about a back up date and a first right of refusal—this way, you will have a back up date to coordinate with your vendors and a date when you need to decide to use it!
Email ALL of your vendors the status of your wedding. I recommend creating a spreadsheet with all their information easily accessible so you reach to them at a moment’s notice.
Remember that your vendors are not just working with you and that you get more flies with honey than vinegar. This is a completely unprecedented time for ALL members of the wedding industry. Take a breath.
If you do decide to postpone, I know that Shutterfly & Minted have been very helpful in reprinting invitations free of charge (we didn’t use either, but if you did, reach out!)
Many vendors are offering free consultation on how to navigate this time. A dear friend of ours, who did our invitations, is also a wedding planner. She is offering one free session—tell Mary that Phoebe sent you! Find her @partypartyfairfield
Contact your bridal party as soon as you have your back up date. Understand there may be some overlap or scheduling issues.
To update guests—utilize social media, your website, and your friends & family! If we have to postpone, I will be having my mother and future mother in law handling informing older family members.
Here are some other blogger brides who have had to postpone their special days and have created helpful much more helpful guides on what to do. Sydney from Summerwind, Lauren from Lakeshore Lady and Olivia Muenter have been hugely helpful for me. Each of these brave, inspiring women has had to postpone their wedding, where as I haven’t had to do that just yet. I’m so grateful to have them as pillars of strength and grace right now.
I will continue saying this until the cows come home: your feelings matter. Yes, there is a global pandemic. Yes, our healthcare system is being pushed to the brink. But you are allowed to feel devastated and upset about having to postpone or change your plans. A wedding is a HUGE moment in your life. I keep telling people to just understand that if I didn’t want to celebrate with friends and family, I would have eloped the moment the ring was on my finger.
We have so many friends and family who mean the absolute world to us—from friends and teachers who have seen our relationship grow from day one to the family who knew us individually and now are one, this celebration is more than a day to us.
I know a lot of you are feeling the same way. I am here to help and here to commiserate, so please don’t hesitate to reach out.