Dear Couples Who Are Postponing Their Weddings,

We see you. And we’re sorry.

Instead of finalizing the last minute details or walking down the aisle this weekend, you are practicing social distancing. You might even be separated from your fiancé. You aren’t hugging relatives and friends who came in from out of town to celebrate with you. You aren’t dancing the night away, and you certainly aren’t taking your long awaited honeymoon right now.

This sucks. All of this sucks.

You started planning your big day months ago. You and your fiancé picked a date that worked for not only the two of you, but additional close friends or family members. You researched and booked vendors, paid deposits and secured that wedding date. Up until about 10 days ago, you thought things were right on track. And then, with almost no warning, large events across the country started cancelling or postponing.

Suddenly, you are filled with questions for your vendors, questions from your family, and before you can even wrap your mind around what’s happening, travel is restricted and large gatherings are discouraged. Whether you made the tough call yourself, or whether it came from your vendors being no longer available, your wedding won’t be happening the way you envisioned.

We all know there is a real threat and people are at a real risk. We all know that’s most important. It doesn’t mean there isn’t room to grieve the non-life threatening things. We are grieving with you.

What can you do?

If your wedding has to be postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, here are some tips from New Orleans Weddings Magazine:

Contact your vendors: Each vendor will have different protocols they are putting in place regarding cancellations and new dates. It’s important to find out what your vendors are able to do. Keep all the information in one place.

Contact your guests: You don’t have to have all the answers right now, but if you already know you’re thinking of having your wedding in the fall, or this time next year, let your guests know so they can start making plans as well. Once you have your new date in mind, consider sending out a Postponement Card from your stationer. Our friends at InvitoBella are offering free downloadable designs.

Enlist support: Let your friends and family help you make calls or send emails to guests and vendors. Maybe you have a friend who is a social media whiz- ask her or him to set up a Facebook group and invite all your guests. Having one central location for information can be helpful for all involved.

Stay flexible: With so many people having to reschedule their weddings, you may not be able to get all your original vendors, but it’s going to be okay! The industry professionals are working together right now to help ensure all the Spring 2020 couples have the best weddings possible given the circumstances.

Celebrate Anyway: Your wedding day might not look like you envisioned, but you can still make lasting memories. On what would have been your wedding, be sure to celebrate in your own way. Maybe you and your fiancé can cook a special meal, read your vows, dance to your wedding song, or whatever works best for you.

At the end of all this, you will get married. You will have a wedding. You will hug your loved ones. You will celebrate. And remember, we are all in this together.

photo: stock.adobe.com/Ppohudka