Over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s hard to see an end in sight. It’s likely that the majority of people, if not all, in your life have experienced some significant life changes and are learning a different way of existing. Everything seems to be impacted, from schooling and workplace to entertainment venues, and of course – wedding planning! In a time of a global health crisis when non-essential businesses were shut down, it can make wedding planning during coronavirus really difficult. So, we’re here to help quell some of your worries and make things a little bit easier when everything else seems especially hard, with our guide on how to plan a wedding during COVID-19.
We’ve heard a lot of stories from people throughout the last year who are concerned about their wedding – everything from postponing and to postponing again, to canceling until further notice, to eloping. There’s a lot of confusion about what to do and when. So, if you’ve been feeling this way, you are not alone. In these unprecedented times, many people are unsure, which makes it even more challenging to make any big decisions. Here at Madame Bridal bridal wear boutique, we care a lot about our friends, family, and customers. So, hopefully, you feel better and more prepared to handle the ever-changing times and have a wedding to celebrate your love!
Getting Married During COVID-19
First things first: there are two different scenarios that couples are commonly in right now. One, the couples that already had their date and venue saved, paid the deposits, and sent out the Save the Dates. Then, there are the couples that had not gotten that far but still want to plan their wedding without having to wait an indefinite, unknown amount of time. There are also some couples that have been inspired to do something totally different and “unconventional,” so we’ll get into that down below! Depending on which category you fall into, you’ll need to proceed accordingly.
If You Already Planned Your Wedding & Need to Postpone
If you got that far and were getting close to the big day and then BOOM – coronavirus crashed down on your wedding plans, and now you need to postpone your celebration… we are sorry to hear that! Having been in the bridal wear business for over 30 years now means we truly understand how disappointing that is.
So, what do you do?
Contact All Your Vendors ASAP
If you and your partner need to postpone or cancel your wedding day plans, it’s imperative that you notify the vendors immediately. Given the state of the world, most establishments are understanding of this and should have a system in place for people in your situation. This could mean they’ll allow you to lock in a future date if that’s what you’re hoping for. You may not get your deposit back, but that’s entirely up to the vendors. We have heard of different outcomes across the board – some couples have had their deposits refunded, some have not. Remember, everyone is dealing with similar stress right now, so be kind and patient when you inquire about what your options are.
Adapt, Pivot, and Be Flexible throughout Coronavirus
Practice adaptability and flexibility, and ask that the vendors and your guests do the same thing. Keep an open mind and heart and be okay with things happening differently than you had planned. (This is also a reminder for your family members, especially the ones who are putting more pressure on you and your partner.)
Communication is Key as You Plan a Wedding During COVID-19
Communicate honestly with everyone involved in your wedding plans – vendors (venue, catering, photography, musicians/DJ), family, friends, and guests. And, most importantly keep the lines of communication open between you and your partner. Things are changing quickly in the world, and it’s okay if you or your partner change their minds about the kind of wedding that’s want. Be willing to communicate about your concerns, questions, thoughts, and ideas – instead of feeling conflicted, use it as a way to come closer together!
If you’re unsure of your new wedding plans, just be honest with your loved ones about it. Let them know that you and your partner are in the process of figuring things out and pivoting, just like everyone else is. Be sure to thank them for their understanding if things end up panning out differently than originally planned, and apologize for any inconvenience.
Photo Credit: Ihsan Aditya
If You’re Planning a Wedding During Coronavirus
The next group of couples will be those that are still in the planning stages, but haven’t put down any money and aren’t concerned about losing deposits (yet). Sound like you? If so, keep reading to find out how to go about planning your wedding during a pandemic.
It’s important to note that some of this is relative to where you are located geographically. We recommend staying up to date with your local health regulations, which may determine the number of guests you’re allowed to have and venue closures.
Now, let’s get into it: how to plan a wedding during COVID-19/coronavirus.
Communicate with Your Partner
Yep, just like we mentioned earlier. The absolute most important thing is to create a clear, open line of communication between you and your partner. With most things in life, your ideas, wants, and needs might be changing and your vision of what’s important on your wedding day might be too. Sit down together and write a list of what your priorities are, and share openly about your thoughts, questions, and concerns. Remember, you and your partner may have different opinions and needs. This is a good pre-marital practice on establishing healthy communication patterns.
These are some important questions to ask each other:
- “Is it necessary to have a traditional wedding as we had planned?”
- “Is it important to have our ceremony and celebration at an official venue, or are we open to doing something outside of the box?”
- “Who do we absolutely need/want to have at our wedding?”
- “Is there anything else important that you’d like to share?”
Photo Credit: Ekaterina Bolovtsova
Virtual Wedding Planning
Fortunately, everything is online these days, and if it wasn’t before, it is now!
You can decide everything virtually, including decorations, food, venue, and the dress. You may not be able to go cake-tasting like you used to, but I’m sure the bakery will send you home with goodies to try.
Ask for a virtual tour of venues, and video presentations from other vendors. Find out about vendor cancellation/postponement policies and if they have systems in place for COVID limitations, should you need to make sudden changes if local regulations change.
Shop online for your wedding gown, starting right here at Madame Bridal. With an extensive selection of couture wedding dresses, we have something for everyone and every budget.
Get Wedding Insurance
This is always a good idea anyway, but it’s especially smart now to look into wedding insurance policies. Get really specific with the companies on whether or not pandemic-related cancellations will be covered.
Limit Your Guest List
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control in the United States), the more people you interact with, the more closely you interact, and the longer that interaction, the higher your risk of contracting COVID-19. Regardless of your personal opinions and beliefs about this, it’s important to keep in mind that your guests may have strong feelings and valid health concerns, so please respect other people’s precautions and their health and well-being when choosing your party size. Of course, it’s up to your guests whether or not they come, but your loved ones will likely want to be there so this is just a gentle reminder to keep in mind.
Photo Credit: Markus Winkler
Consider Something Different: Elope During Coronavirus
This also ties in with our suggestion above to: adapt, pivot, and be flexible. At some point, it’s important to remember why you’re getting married – it’s about you and your partner. Focus on each other and your love, and know that it isn’t about everyone else. It’s not about what everyone else does or what they think you should do. If at the end of the day, you and your partner just want to elope and have a small ceremony with each other or your closest loved ones, that’s exciting! You can always have a big celebration next year (and keep the excitement going!)
Remember each other and your commitment to each other, even if it looks different than you imagined. Everything else will fall into place.
These are our quick tips on how to plan your wedding during COVID-19. Whether you need to postpone or plan the wedding differently than you imagined, we hope these tips have been helpful. What are your biggest questions about planning a wedding during coronavirus? Let us know in the comments below!
