When I planned this wedding shoot, I had no real concept of a pandemic or any imaginings that the world would be able to shut down for months at a time. (My sister would say I should read more books…). But it’s here, we’re living history out, and we have some not so fun wedding topics to cover. So I thought, even if the topic isn’t beautiful, the image overall should be! Because, at the end of the day, marriage, the commitment of two people to one another, LOVE - that is beautiful.
So let’s get down to it.
You’re engaged, you’ve started planning, you’re mid-planning, you’re about to postpone, you just postponed, your wedding is later this year… Whatever stage you are at, I know you are feeling uncertainty. While I cannot calm all of your fears, or give you absolutes, I will provide the best advice I can.
1. Plan Your Wedding
You have likely dreamt of your wedding day from the moment you were born or the moment you said “yes!.” Either way, the planning process is wrapped up in the excitement of your wedding day. So, keep planning or start planning your wedding.
Even if the process has changed, there is still plenty to do! You can do a “cake tasting to-go” or spend some of your online hours searching for the perfect invitations. Hopefully, you have a planner and the two of you can find creative ways to continue.
2. Get Married
Even if you had to postpone your ceremony and/or reception. Even if it’s just the two of you, go ahead and get married - if you’re ready and you’re able to do so in your county!
While a marriage starts with love and companionship, there is also a lot of practical things tied to your commitment that you do not need to put off just because you’re delaying a large gathering of family and friends. Maybe you’re purchasing a home, moving in to an apartment together, ready to change your name, or want to join financial accounts or insurance - practicality is important and part of doing life together.
Your commitment might only be witnessed by the officials present, but your marriage is rooted in just the two of you, no matter what your ceremony consists of. A pandemic definitely falls into the “in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer” category.
3. Be Prepared
If your wedding is scheduled to occur anywhere from June 2020 to spring 2021, be prepared. The “current” predictions will not be current when this is posted because they are ever changing and really, no one is sure what will happen. Most are assuming Covid-19 will return in the fall and into the 2020-2021 flu season. And until a vaccine is fully established, there may be more periods of social distancing and isolation.
Part of being a planner is preparing for the worst, so that is my advice: prepare for the worst. How? For starters, instead of having a “b list” of guests to invite if your “a list” is unable to attend, have a “c list” of 50 or 25 people who you would invite if small gathering measures are put into place. Again, this may not happen. But it is better to be prepared now by knowing how you would cut your list down, than to be surprised and have to scramble to reduce your guest list.
4. Stay Connected & Keep Celebrating
Just as everyone is recommending, it is good for your mental health to find way to stay connected to your friends and family. Even if you have never been into video chatting, give it a try. Have a virtual happy hour with your friends! Celebrate and find a way to embrace that your wedding will forever be remembered as occurring during a pandemic! I know it’s not fun... but it’s unique!
5. Pray & Know Your Feelings are Valid
We can all use some prayer. Pray this pandemic passes, a vaccine is found, and that we can have the biggest blowout party to celebrate! Pray for peace and patience. It’s just a season, but a hard one.
Lastly, it’s ok to be sad, disappointed, frustrated, scared. We’re all feeling it, but you have the weight of planning a joyous occasion in the midst of it. I’m here for you, my team is here for you.
Thank you to my lovely vendors who never imagined I would use this gorgeous shoot for an informative blog about a pandemic (neither did I)!
Event Planner: Locklane Weddings & Events
Venue: Wilburn Street Studio
Photographer: Alyssa Joy Photography
Rentals, Design, Florals: Mayker
Linens, Tableware: Music City Tents & Events
Paper Goods, Calligraphy: Clover Paper Co.
Models: AMAX Talent & Creative Agency
Makeup: Morgan Jae Beauty
Hair: The Label Closet
Ladies Attire: The Bride Room
Guys Attire: Street Tuxedo
