Disclaimer: Please note that I am not an expert and the information provided in this blog post is based on my experience. Couples need to assess their situation and decide if they want to change their wedding plans. Each case is unique. Each couple is different.
Whew. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s dive into this post.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you’ve heard about the Coronavirus and the current Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
According to the WHO (the World Health Organization), COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019. As of May 2020, many countries adopted emergency measures to stop the spread of the Coronavirus such as lockdowns.
Many couples now fear for their big day and wonder how the coronavirus could affect their wedding, or if they should postpone or cancel.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a yes or no answer to these questions. It all depends on key factors such as where is your wedding taking place? When is your wedding date? Are your guests coming from abroad? How many guests did you invite? Has your government banned private events from taking place? Has your country moved towards easing lockdowns?
Here are a few thoughts to help you decide on your next steps in your wedding planning journey.
Feel free to skip to the section that you are interested in (although I encourage you to read the entire post to get an idea of the challenges you might face).
1| Will the Coronavirus impact the delivery of my wedding dress?
How can it be affected?
China is one of the biggest wedding dress manufacturers in the world with 80% of wedding dresses being produced there. Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, factories were closed for weeks, which slowed down production and eventually led to delays and missed shipments. Therefore, some bridal boutiques were struggling with supply. As of May 2020, China is no longer on lockdown. Keep in mind that this doesn’t guarantee that some orders still won’t be delayed.
What can I do about it?
Brides who haven’t started wedding dress shopping yet should get started as soon as possible. This goes for 2021 brides too. If you want to make sure you get your dream dress, start early. Consider buying off-the-rack and shopping locally. Many bridal boutiques manufacture locally or get their inventory from other factories around the world that haven’t been as affected by the Coronavirus.
If you have already bought your dress, get in contact with your bridal boutique and make sure your delivery date hasn’t been pushed back.
2| Will the Coronavirus impact my wedding vendors?
How can they be affected?
The venue
During the past few weeks, authorities all over the world have been taking measures to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. This also means banning private events with more than a certain number of people. As a result, many venues had to shut down. As of May 2020, many countries have eased the lockdowns that were in place.
The decor
You might have ordered some decorations online (#AliExpress anyone?). Unfortunately, many of the online suppliers stopped shipping amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, meaning there might be some delays. Even if some countries have opened businesses up again, postal services and mail delivery are still running slower than usual.
What can I do about it?
Ask your vendors (venue, caterer, photographers, etc.) about the measures that were taken to deal with the Coronavirus. If you have a wedding planner, have them get in touch with your vendors and let you know if the game plan has changed.
You should also check out local vendors and suppliers in your area.
3| Will the Coronavirus impact my destination wedding?
How can it be affected?
Although your wedding day is one of the most important events of your life, please keep in mind, that your number one priority is the health and safety of you and your guests.
Many countries have taken measures to stop the spread of the Coronavirus such as lockdowns, prohibiting private and public gatherings, or banning international travel. The U.S. has banned all travel from Europe. Most European countries closed their borders. Many African states have also closed their borders due to Covid-19.
What can I do about it?
If you have a wedding planner, make sure to check in with them regularly to get the latest information. Listen carefully to the information local authorities provide and keep updated on travel bans and restrictions. You should also check your travel insurance policy and your wedding insurance (if you have one).
4| Will the Coronavirus impact my honeymoon?
Once again, there is no yes or no answer. It depends. If you are planning on going on your honeymoon in the next few months, chances are, the current COVID-19 outbreak could affect your travel plans, especially if you were planning on traveling to Europe. Many European countries have taken strict measures ranging from travel bans to imposed quarantines for travelers coming from the most affected areas.
If you have already booked your honeymoon and your destination is affected by the Coronavirus, check with your travel agency for alternative bookings. Make sure you know their refund policy in case you don’t feel comfortable traveling anymore.
If you haven’t booked yet, do your research and stay informed. Be sure to track your country’s travel advisories, as well as the travel advisories for your intended destination.
5| Will my guests be able to attend my wedding?
Once again, there is no straightforward answer to this question. If your guests are traveling from abroad, you will have to check the relevant countries’ travel bans and restrictions.
Please be mindful of the fact that it might not be the best idea to have elderly guests or people with weak immune systems attend your wedding. The health and safety of your guests should be your top priority.
6| Should I cancel my wedding?
Now that you know how the Coronavirus can affect your wedding, you are probably wondering if you should cancel your wedding or not. Before we dive deeper into the subject, please keep in mind that the news is constantly changing and that you should check the climate every day. So should you cancel your wedding? No. BUT, you might have to postpone your wedding.
Weddings in June 2020 or July 2020
If you are getting married in June or July 2020, consider postponing your wedding.
There is a big chance your wedding could be impacted by the measures being taken by the authorities to contain the Coronavirus. You will definitely need a Plan B. Get in contact with your vendors and get started on your alternative plan.
Many vendors, wedding planners, and other wedding professionals have advised their clients to make arrangements and to think of postponing. Talk to your fiancé(e) and family about how the current crisis could affect your wedding.
Many countries are still on lockdown, and restrictions are in place. Even though some eased their restrictions, it is highly unlikely that public gatherings (such as big wedding ceremonies) will be possible in the next few weeks.
Whether you decide to move forward with your wedding or postpone, be sure to always keep up with your local guidelines and stay informed.
Weddings in August 2020 or September 2020
If you are getting married in August or September 2020, then you might not have to postpone just yet.
You still have a little more time to decide whether you want to go through with your wedding as planned or postpone.
Talk to your fiancé(e) and family about how the current crisis could affect your wedding. Stay informed and follow the guidelines closely.
Even though you still have a little more time, aim to make your final decision ASAP (or at least as soon as you have all the details and relevant information). To save time, money, and a lot of effort, let your guests know at least two to three months before your wedding.
Talk to all your vendors right now and make arrangements for a Plan B.
If the situation is already clear, and you know it’s highly unlikely your wedding will take place, then postpone.
Weddings in October 2020 or beyond
If you are getting married in October 2020 or beyond, then you should carry on and plan your wedding as you normally would but stay informed.
Even if your wedding is set to take place in fall or winter, we don’t know how the current COVID-19 crisis will change the event planning industry in the long run. Some health and safety measures might still apply for a while, so make sure to always stay informed.
Also, keep in mind that some guests might not be able to attend your wedding (even if it’s taking place later in the year) because of travel bans and restrictions.
To save time, money, and a lot of effort, aim to make your final decision at least three months before your wedding.
Talk to all your vendors now and make arrangements for a Plan B.
If the situation is already clear, and you know it’s highly unlikely your wedding will take place, then postpone.
7| What else should I consider?
Here are a few things you might also want to consider:
- Guests could cancel last minute due to travel restrictions. Check with your vendors if you can change guest count
- Consider having a smaller wedding rather than postponing the wedding altogether
- Consider having the ceremony now (if your country allows you to do so) and the party later
- If you have wedding insurance, check what it covers
Essential Takeaways
The most important thing to remember is that this is a highly personal decision. Couples need to assess their own situation and decide based on all the facts and variables relevant to their personal circumstances. Each case is different, each couple is different.
Keep up with your local guidelines and contact your vendors.
It’s a lot. I know. Planning a wedding is stressful enough without the world dealing with a pandemic. I can only imagine what you are going through, and I am sorry. But I want to encourage my brides and grooms out there! It might be stressful for now, but it will all be worth it.
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