Coping With Coronavirus
When Wedding Plans HAVE To Change
Up until this week, I’ve been separating my Wedding-related blogs from my coronavirus updates. However, the conversation I had with Madison from The Pearl when we started discussing how to adapt to the coronavirus while wedding planning was so good that saving it for the blog felt like the right thing to do. If you missed last week’s blog about eloping to 30A, check it out here.
The coronavirus has created a very surreal new normal. Most businesses are either closed or operating in a bare-bones capacity. I really appreciated Madison’s perspective on wedding planning during the coronavirus pandemic. Not only is she the Catering Events Manager at The Pearl, but she’s also in the process of planning her own wedding in the fall of this year…
Coronavirus Wedding Planning: This Sucks
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Madison: It’s been hard. I think we can all say that this hasn’t been an ideal situation. It sucks. Most of our March and April brides had to reschedule for obvious reasons. Then, many of our May couples took the extra precaution and rescheduled because no one knows what’s going to happen next month. I understand that every couple is different and sometimes it doesn’t work to postpone your wedding but, if it does, we highly encourage it. Once this is over, people are going to be so excited to get out and travel.
I know this is way easier to say than to do, but try and have patience. Take a deep breath. We’re going to get through this. We’re going to find a way to have your wedding. It might look a little bit different than what you thought it would but we are all going through this at the same time. You’re not alone.
This Isn’t Fair!
I know some people might not want to hear that because they just want to shout, “This isn’t fair!” It’s not fair and it does suck. It’s especially hard to see your friends post pictures from their wedding a few years ago. There’s the temptation to feel bitter about it and think, “That’s never gonna happen for me!” But I promise it will. It may not be the same as you planned but, at the end of the day, you’re still going to be marrying your fiance. That’s really all that matters.
Look At Future Dates
My best advice for couples is to take a look at the calendar. Can you pick a date for the fall? You might not be able to have your wedding on a Saturday anymore but maybe a Friday or Sunday is available. Also, weekday weddings aren’t that big of a deal anymore, especially in the 30A area. People usually come here for a few days at a time for mini-vacation. That opens up your options to consider getting married on a Thursday or even a Monday. Those who are important to you will find a way to be a part of your big day.
Reach Out To Your Venue, Vendors
Another thing to do is to check in with your wedding vendors. Let’s say you’re a June or July bride who hasn’t had to make that call, yet. To ease your mind, look at a different date. Maybe you will be able to place a tentative hold on it just in case you have to change it. Talk to your wedding venue and ask, “What are our options?” It’s important to be proactive in a situation like this, plus you’ll know as much as you can should you have to change your date.
A Unique Perspective
DJ Josh: You have a unique perspective because you are also in the process of planning your wedding. What kind of surprises or unexpected things have happened since the coronavirus has become what it currently is?
Madison: I think it’s helped me to really relate to my clients right now since I am in the process of planning my wedding during this process. Our wedding date isn’t scheduled until October, so we still have about six months to figure everything out. As far as unexpected things that have come up, I think what has surprised a lot of people was how quickly you have had to make these changes. In the beginning of March, having to change dates wasn’t even on our radar. Now, the coronavirus has been all-consuming.
Don’t Scrap, Tweak
So many people have had what should be precious times taken from them so suddenly. Even though it’s not fair, you just have to be flexible and look at your plans as being tentative for now. Whatever happens, your wedding day is still going to be awesome. For example, I had a bride who was planning to have her wedding this spring, so she incorporated springy colors for it. She’s since had to push her wedding to November. Instead of completely picking new colors, I suggest to her to just tweak her floral colors a little bit so she doesn’t have to completely redesign her wedding. You can make some minor changes to what you were already planning. That way you can pull off your wedding the week before Thanksgiving instead of the week before Easter.
You Get To Make Your Wedding BETTER
DJ Josh: That totally makes sense. I was talking to Tim from Phocus Photography, a husband and wife photography company out of Pensacola, and he said that he sees it as a good thing. The pause is allowing couples to be more intentional about their choices for their wedding. Couples now have the opportunity to think, “Well, the wedding’s not going to happen when we were planning on it but now we have time to make it even better than it was going to be before.” People aren’t leaving the house, so you can really think back and ask, “Is that thing that we were planning on doing, is that something that we really want to do or should we go in a different direction instead?”
Madison: Yeah. It gives people more time to really think about those small details that we were talking about earlier. Is this aspect of our wedding necessary? You can take a step back and consider re-allocating your budget. Maybe you initially wanted but weren’t able to include things like a photo booth or a videographer. Maybe you had originally planned on having a plated dinner but are now leaning toward stations or a buffet or vice versa. The best thing you can do is step back and re-examine what makes the best sense for you as a couple. Then, go from there.
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Coronavirus Wedding Planning: An Opportunity
All is not lost. Yes, the coronavirus has taken wedding planning and made it considerably more challenging. It sucks, it isn’t fair but by looking at future dates and reaching out to your venue and wedding professionals, you can come up with a new game plan if you already have to postpone your wedding or just in case you have to.
We are where we are, as unfortunate and frustrating as that is. All we can do is recognize and acknowledge that fact and then go from there. The coronavirus pandemic, and the precautions taken to flatten the curve, has brought most things associated with weddings to a standstill. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to have the wedding that is perfect for you as a couple. Though it may not be what you had originally planned, this pause is an opportunity to take what you planned and make it better!
If you are having to change your plans for your 2020 wedding, check out The Pearl. It’s a great venue in Rosemary Beach on County Highway 30A. For more information, check out their website send an email, or call (850) 588-2881.