COVID-19, or the coronavirus, has changed and likely disrupted many people’s lives. If you’re someone who has an upcoming wedding, you might feel extra devastated. It seems that the most wonderful day of your life has suddenly turned upside down. As someone who plans to tie the knot in 2020, you might have a lot of questions about what to do with your wedding plans, given the circumstances. Sourcing from the latest information, we’d like to give our readers some advice about what to do in this volatile time.
“Should I Cancel My Wedding?”
Depending on where you live or where you plan to have your wedding, this question may already be answered for you. Some areas, like Italy and the United Kingdom, have banned weddings altogether. Others, for now, have limited it to just the bride and groom.
Since most engaged couples plan a more-or-less elaborate celebration or one with more than a handful of guests, many have decided to delay their wedding day in the midst of this pandemic. Even Princess Beatrice, who was set to wed at the end of May, has postponed her big day.
Even if the venue location has not yet forbidden weddings and/or gatherings, governments are changing rules literally overnight. So, if you want to be on the safe side, it may be best to cancel the wedding for now or delay it until next year, ideally. Alternatively, if you’re eager to get hitched, you can elope and party at a later date. If sharing your special day with your loved ones is important to you, this may be the best option.
“How Do I Delay, Not Cancel, My Wedding?”
Most wedding vendors, especially now, are more than eager to work with you. They would rather delay your contract than lose a customer. However, results may vary.
Should you set a new wedding date, start as if you were planning your wedding from the beginning. If you’re keen on keeping your venue, contact them first and see what dates will work for you. Then, inquire with the other vendors. If you’re lucky, some may just keep your name “on hold” until you’re more certain about a set date and/or location.
“Can I Go Through with My Wedding, Anyway?”
Assuming there are no legal restrictions, you can have your wedding as planned. However, keep in mind that there are risks involved with any public gatherings, even if no COVID-19 cases have been reported in the area at that moment. Either way, always take additional precautions, such as asking your guests not to come if they have any symptoms (and have plenty of soap and hand sanitizer available at the venue!).
Another issue may be that the ambiance at your wedding might not be the same. People are a bit more cautious right now, keeping their distance and being pickier about hygiene, so that will definitely take away from the fun. Just think about it: how do you expect people to hit the dance floor if they can’t stand next to each other?
Set on the date, anyway? Make sure to check in with all your vendors to see if they will still be able to work. Although most businesses are likely to notify you of any cancellations, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“Does Wedding Insurance Help?”
If you don’t already have wedding insurance, you might have a hard time getting it now. Many insurers have stopped offering policies. Even if you manage to get your hands on one, there is no guarantee it will protect you.
It’s best to read the terms and conditions of your policy, as many do not cover “ force majeure “ situations, such as pandemics or government acts like bans on public gatherings. The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath fall under these exceptions.
“What if My Wedding Guests Cancel?”
Should you stick to your original wedding plans, be prepared for some people to change their plans. If your guest list is cut, either due to regulations or because people cancel, you can still have a fun celebration. In fact, a smaller gathering may be more fun than a large affair!
Just don’t hold this against anyone, as this is a very unnerving time for many, especially for anyone who is older and therefore more at risk of being severely sick. In this case, you might want to have a live stream or extended coverage of the celebration so those who couldn’t make it don’t miss out on the fun.
Most people are aware of the global situation but, of course, there is always someone who didn’t get the message. In this case, it is polite to inquire about a second RSVP. In addition, make sure to update all of your guests about any changes as soon as possible.
“How Does Coronavirus Affect Destination Weddings and Honeymoons?”
Since we don’t know how long this pandemic will last, and new travel restrictions are being implemented daily, destination weddings and even honeymoons may be off the table for now.
Even if things improve, we might see some countries being extra cautious in the near future. It’s best to avoid destination weddings for the time being and stick to somewhere closer to home.
The same applies to honeymoons, although that’s a bit easier to deal with. Although airlines and hotels are being quite lenient with cancellations and refunds right now, make sure to buy travel insurance (ideally the “cancel-for-any-reason” type) for any vacations planned in the future. You should be prepared that things might not go as planned.
Just a Reminder: Keep Calm
The coronavirus and it’s resulting quarantine rules is something no one could’ve expected or predicted. This is why everything seems like a mess right now. In moments like this, it’s important to stay calm and stay strong. Although there is a lot of scary media coverage about the virus right now, things are not as bad as they seem. Most people recover just fine from the illness and some may barely notice that they were sick in the first place.
It’s understandable that this situation is stressful and not a good addition to the regular wedding stress, but it’s likely a temporary speed bump in our lives. This is one of the few moments in life where you’re likely to get away with rebookings and cancellations, be it with travel or wedding vendors-so if you’re even a bit concerned about the situation, take a deep breath, delay the date, and know that once the world is back to normal, you can host the best celebration of the season.
Originally published at https://www.weddingbee.com on March 26, 2020.
