Surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Midst of Wedding Planning

for Better or for worse

As the owners of a bridal magazine, we never imagined that we would be writing a blog post about a worldwide pandemic that is interrupting nearly every facet of life. We are not nor do we claim to be medical or scientific professionals. If you want to learn more about COVID-19 (and we strongly suggest that you educate yourself), please visit this link to Kentucky’s COVID-19 platform.

Wedding planning is already stressful and expensive. Brides and grooms have started planning their 2020 weddings months and even years ago, with the largest concerns centered around booking their favorite venue or the unpredictability of the weather. It’s probably safe to say that a pandemic was far from anyone’s worse-case wedding scenario for 2020. If you’re floundering, we have some tips to help you through this uncharted territory. If you’re freshly engaged and are just now starting the process of planning your wedding, we highly recommend hiring a reputable wedding planner (even if you’re an expert at DIY) to guide you through the uncertainties of this year’s unique situation.

Stay Calm Easier said than done, right? If you’re lost in the unknown, start by taking a deep breath.

Stay Aware The CDC has posted guidance (shared below) for what to do in the coming weeks. At this time, there are still so many questions surrounding the duration of this pandemic. If you have a wedding planned for later in the year, you might be able to take a “wait and see” approach with your wedding. Now is the time to discuss the various scenarios with your wedding vendors, look over your contracts, and start working on a backup plan if necessary.

Be Patient With Your Wedding Vendors This is a stressful time for everyone and those who are in the event industry are feeling the pressure. In the midst of uncertainty and stress, be patient with your wedding vendors because everyone is walking through this uncharted territory together. We have found that many vendors are willing to work with you in regards to rescheduling or to reassure you during the process.

For the Greater Good If your wedding is in the next eight weeks, it’s more imperative to make a decision that’s in your best interest and in the best interest of those who you love. We have conducted hundreds of interviews with brides and grooms over the years and it’s always obvious that family and friends are the highlight of every wedding day. Do you have guests who would be traveling? Guests who are over sixty years old? Guests with weakened immune systems? Will your wedding give guests the option to distance themselves six feet away from others? Is your wedding planned for ten people or less? These are important questions to ask yourself and your vendor team. We can’t imagine the heartbreak or financial loss of being forced to postpone something that you’ve planned for so long - but if the people attending are people you want to protect - it’s important to follow the guidelines of those who know more than we do about this pandemic.

Keep Your Guests in the Loop At this time in our country, you are still responsible for making this decision. If you decide to move forward with your upcoming wedding (in the next eight weeks), please let your guests know that your wedding is going forward as planned and don’t take it personally if friends or family members are no longer able to or choose not to attend. If you are rescheduling your wedding, let your guests know as soon as possible and keep them updated on new wedding details.

LEARN MORE: CDC RESOURCES FOR LARGE COMMUNITY EVENTS & MASS GATHERINGS

final thoughts

Our hearts are hurting for those of you who are making tough decisions regarding your events, but if there’s one thing we know, it’s that every wedding is a beautiful one. Remember that deep breath we told you to take? Take another one. It’s all going to be okay.

If you want to chat, want to share your story, or have further questions, please email us at hello@kentuckybride.com. Also, wash your hands, don’t touch your face, practice social distancing, and please heed the warnings of local officials. We can and will get through this.

Stay well,

Kate + Sandy

Katelyn DaughertyMarch 15, 2020