A BRIDE’S STORY ON CORONAVIRUS CHANGING HER WEDDING PLANS

Sari and Casey Wedding Plans

Sari and Casey were set to be married the third week of March in Charleston, North Carolina. We kept in touch throughout the weeks leading up to the wedding weekend as the Corona Virus was beginning to become more popular in the news. Everything was 100% on go as we constantly checked in with each other.

Finally the dreaded call came through and Sari told me she was having to postpone her wedding. She asked about a new possible date, and it was quickly rescheduled. But oh my goodness my heart broke for her. There’s so much excitement and build up that goes into planning a wedding day.

And to come THAT close to it only to be postponed last minute, I couldn’t even imagine her emotions going through it. She handled it like SUCH a trooper, and I’m so in awe of her. This entire Coronavirus ordeal has been incredibly trying on us all. It’s all new territory. And to be a BRIDE affected by it, I just can’t imagine.

Sari and Casey, I’m so sorry you had to rechedule your wedding. It only means we get to be even MORE excited about the big day happening later in the year. I can’t wait to be a part of it with you. Love you guys!

1. How did you come to realizing you would need to postpone?

My Father (step-dad) called me 6 days before the wedding and said “I think it’s best. This is worse than we thought.” Prior to this I had been receiving calls from guests daily stating they probably wouldn’t or won’t be making the wedding due to their concerns.

After all I wanted my guests there and for them to enjoy their time, not be worried about getting sick! Was cancelling an option or you just knew you would change dates? Cancelling wasn’t an option… I was so worried about how this was going to play out. I had just sent in the final payment to the venue and was 14,000.00 in total other payments made at that point. There was NO way I was getting that money back. I was fortunate enough to have the most amazing vendors who were ALL able to reschedule for my newly chosen date.

2. What all did you go through emotionally realizing you were postponing such a major event you had spent so many months planning?

Oh where to begin???

I had an eerie feeling as the month of March began that something wasn’t right. I couldn’t picture my wedding day after having planned it for so many months (spent my entire FMLA post partum planning it). I had endured so much stress and change leading up to the wedding that my fiance and I kept looking at each other saying ” I can’t believe it’s only 3 weeks, 2 weeks, 1 week away.”

We were so excited! However the day I spoke with my dad all my stress had been lifted. No more changing of seating charts, meals, speeches, dances, and photos. No more worries about packing the kids up and driving to Charleston, SC to be concerned about what we would spend our days doing now that everything was closed, no more being mindful of what I was eating (I have made quite a few milkshakes since lol).

I had stressed the week prior to rescheduling trying to get a facial, making sure all my I’s were dotted and T’s crossed. Work was the most insane it has ever been as we were preparing for what was to come. I took a big breath and sighed relief. I went to my hair appointment that I had scheduled that day and enjoyed one of my last humanistic interactions outside of my immediate family.

I started to see the positive in everything. I had prayed over our wedding and decisions for so long. Our new date fits us even better (it’ll be on our anniversary date instead of a random one), the weather is supposed to be even more beautiful and we will for certain be on the other side of this whole thing!

3. What method did you use to contact all your guests/vendors to let them know?

I emailed or called all of my vendors. They were all 100 percent understanding and grateful I did not ask for a refund or to cancel (most had been paid in full). I called and texted our guests…. Actually I told our moms who then happily spread the word as they typically do with everything : ) I am still toying with the idea of sending “change the dates” to my guests (all 40 of them).

4. What do you know about wedding insurance and/or if it would cover situations like this?

I didn’t know anything about wedding insurance actually.

5. How has quarantine been for you and any adjustments for work/family.

Quarantine in our house has been interesting to say the least. Both my fiance and I have to continue to work (I provide mental health services and he builds hospitals…) So we have been having to juggle working from home as best as we can with two small children.

He stocked the pantry and supplies prior to the “stay at home order” so we haven’t needed to go in public. However, being home with kids while trying to work is INSANE! I have gotten very creative in my entertaining style. I teeter between being envious of people who do not have children or to work and how relaxing this time could be and being so completely grateful that I have little ones to love on and a job that is continuing to pay our bills securely.

6. Any pros/cons or highs/lows you want to mention?

Overall the disappointment in all the months planning and having to wait even longer for our wedding was definitely a low. The high is that I feel as though I have so much more time to figure out the fine details that I was rushing to finish and can relax in the meantime. We had to postpone 7 months so we have quite a while to gear back up for wedding antics.
The only thing I would like to add is my heartfelt appreciation for all of my vendors being so understanding and on board with changing the date. Not a single one was angry or irritated at the situation. We had been in a lot of communication up until then and I was so gung-ho about NOT cancelling/changing. I truly appreciate all them and pray for their stability and well-being during this time!

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