If you’re planning a wedding this year, there’s a possibility that it’s going to get impacted by the shutdowns due to the COVID-19 outbreak. While there’s still uncertainty about how long these shutdowns will last and how long governments will require social distancing measures, it’s important to start thinking now about the possibility that your wedding day may need to be rescheduled or reworked.
Most state governments have responded to the outbreak of the pandemic by limiting large gatherings. Even if you felt your wedding was going to be an intimate gathering of your family members and closest friends, it likely would still be considered a gathering that poses a risk for the spread of COVID-19.
At the same time, some states now believe they’ve reached the peak of hospitalizations related to the illness, and are adopting plans for reopening businesses and public places. This is a situation that remains in flux.
What’s Important to Know About COVID-19?
On March 15, the Centers for Disease Control issued an advisory urging Americans not to attend any large gatherings, including weddings, until at least mid-May. As the CDC noted:
“Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies.”
If you had planned your wedding for this spring, it’s important to continue monitoring state and federal guidelines to determine when it’s safe to consider rescheduling your wedding. Keep in mind that since health officials have cautioned the public about the possibility of a second outbreak, they’re urging state and federal officials to move very cautiously before lifting the Stay At Home orders.
For anyone who had planned a summer wedding in June and July, the CDC has urged everyone to be cautious about inviting people who live in Europe, Asia or other parts of the world from attending because of the risk that they could be a carrier.
What Should You Do if You have Postponed Your Wedding?
If you had planned a summer wedding and are thinking about postponing it out of precaution, contact your wedding venue and find out what their scheduling and availability will be like later in the year. Chances are they’ll be happy to work with you about finding a new date.
This is also a good time to talk to your family members and guests to see what their feelings are about attending later in the year. Then reach out to the people working with you on wedding planning, including your:
- Caterers
- Musicians
- Photographer
- Decorators
The bottom line is you want everyone involved to be safe and to remain healthy. As you begin planning, be sure to have a backup plan — just in case. You want a day when everyone is ready to celebrate the joy of your nuptials, but to do so without risk of illness. That should be a top priority at all times.
You can also use social media and videos on YouTube to help update your guests and friends about what’s happening with your planned wedding. Even as people have been staying indoors for much of April, many of them are connecting online and finding it’s easy to reach out and communicate with others — through the internet.
Central Jersey Wedding Venue at Windows on the Water
If your wedding plans have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, contact us at Windows on the Water, where our professional wedding planners have years of experience helping brides plan every detail to bring their vision of a dream wedding to life and can help you determine how best to proceed in these uncertain times. Our professional planners go above and beyond to create the wedding day that you’ve always envisioned.
Book an appointment online or call us today at 609-208-9474. See why Windows on the Water is the picture-perfect wedding venue for you.