Should I cancel my wedding due to coronavirus? – 5 Things to consider

Life can be very unpredictable and what the world is going through now with Covid-19 having at least some effect on nearly everyone’s lives is definitely proof of that. While some territories have a complete ban on public events, many have not implemented such bans or given recommendations about what to do. Ultimately, the decision about whether to cancel or reschedule your wedding remains with you, but here are a few recommendations we can give you so that you can navigate this space with more awareness:

 

1. Know your options. Whether you are still unsure about what to do or if you are already leaning towards a decision, it is always worth to know your options and check up on rescheduling and cancellation policies with your vendors. Even if you know what the original wedding cancellation policies were, they may have changed in the light of recent events. Many vendors are trying very hard to support their clients through this tough time, but in the case that they’re not being as flexible as you would like them to be, keep in mind that most wedding vendors are small businesses and they’re just trying to make it through this situation without going belly up.

2. Consider live-streaming. In case rescheduling your wedding is not an option, there’s a big chance that some people that are dear to you may not be able to attend your wedding anymore due to travel bans or being in the high-risk groups. In that case, consider live-streaming your wedding so that they can still attend online and be a part of your celebration. You can hire a company to do this, which is the option we recommend or if the extra cost is not within your budget, you can ask if a techie friend can help with this. 

3. Downsize. To avoid extra risks, simply downsizing your wedding may be a way to go. You can have a small celebration with just the closest people on your original date and potentially hold another event once things cool down. This extra event can be a reception-only style party or alternatively, you can even have two ceremonies. Having two ceremonies is a common practice we see with couples who come from different traditions, but even if you don’t, this may be a good excuse to tell each other how much you love and value each other twice.

4. Use this situation to your advantage. In case you originally didn’t get the venue or the photographer that you wanted because they were either booked or too expensive, consider that many venues and photographers are going to suddenly find themselves with a lot of availability on their hands, so if you are flexible with your options and open to either eloping or downsizing, there’s a good chance that you would be able to get these vendors at a very discounted price if you have your wedding in the near future. Another option would be to just do a photo session at your favorite venue on your wedding day or on a separate day in case they have availability.

5. Keep your eyes on the prize. Such times of uncertainty can be very stressful and can take a lot of joy out of what’s supposed to be one of the best days of your life. Be aware that negative feelings may creep into your wedding planning process and take measures to prevent that from happening by focusing on what is the most important – the person you want to share your life with.