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Coronavirus and Your Wedding

April 11, 2020

After a year of planning and so much excitement, you’re facing something no one could’ve ever predicted. Who would’ve thought a pandemic would sweep across the globe in a matter of months, just in time to jeopardize all that you’ve planned? You’re frustrated. You’re angry. You’ve spent nights crying, asked for advice from your family and friends, and read everything you could find on COVID-19 and wedding planning.

The sad truth is– no one has the answers. No one knows how long this will continue or when it will be safe to host the grand celebration you’ve planned. But you don’t have to throw your hands up and cry. Here are some things you can do now to find peace and take back control in this situation.

Wedding Planning Formalities

  • If your wedding is planned for May – July of 2020, be prepared to postpone. The CDC has recommended the cancellation of weddings until mid-May, and authorities agree that date will likely be extended. Open conversations with your partner, family, and friends about what postponement would mean. Would they be comfortable going ahead with the wedding in the fall? Would they prefer you wait until 2021? Consider guests who are traveling to celebrate with you, as well as your elderly or immune-compromised family/ friends. Sometimes it’s the limbo that is really bothering us, and preemptively postponing your wedding may bring you peace.
  • Reach out to your wedding venue to select a date after September (at the earliest). Be open to Friday and Sunday weddings, as this will be the your best chance to keep all of your vendors. Many vendors are allowing couples to select an alternate date without officially canceling their intended date.
  • Re-visit your contracts to refresh on each vendor’s reschedule/ postponement/ force majeure clause. Each vendor will have their own way of handling this, so be prepared to lose your initial deposit in some instances.
  • If you bought wedding insurance, reach out to your contact to discuss whether your policy covers this pandemic. And if you didn’t buy wedding insurance, consider it for your rescheduled date. (Check out wedsafe.com.)
  • If you have a wedding planner, work with him/her on this process. They will help you navigate this crisis and offer up options. If you HAVEN’T hired a wedding planner, consider it if your budget allows.

Take Care of Yourself

  • Allow yourself to grieve. We’ve all been affected by this in some way. You’re not alone. Journal your feelings. Call your bestie. Do what you need to do to let it out.
  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. Don’t click on every social media article and don’t Google updates. Watch the evening news for the most crucial updates.
  • Eat well, exercise, and get plenty of sleep. The basics for good health apply here too. If you don’t take care of yourself, your wedding stress will compound.
  • Spend time connecting with others or doing your favorite hobby.

 

Through it all, keep in mind that you WILL get to marry your best friend and love of your life. And when that day comes, it’s going to be a beautiful day with one hell of a party.

 

Sarah DeMaranville Photography is a Midwest/ Quad Cities wedding photographer providing timeless, joyful portraiture for the crazy in love. We specialize in outdoor photography and love to shoot at locations like The Armour HouseLavender Crest WineryOakwood Country ClubAllerton ParkHoney Creek Resort, and the Illinois Beach Resort.  We accept a limited number of weddings each year. To schedule your engagement, proposal, or wedding portraiture, please email us at sarah@sarahdemaranvillephotography.com or by inquiring here

We are so excited to love and serve you on your wedding day! You just take it all in, and we’ll be there to make sure your wedding day is as magical as you always envisioned!

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