To all of the brides having to make the hard decision to cancel, reschedule, or to have only a small wedding… I am so sorry.
I was a bride nearly three years ago now. I know all the stress and joy that goes into planning your wedding, and I know how exciting it is to count down the days until “I do.” So much time and energy goes into one of the biggest days of your life. I can’t imagine being in your shoes and my heart is deeply heavy for you.
Let me pause to say that I am not making light of the rest of the hard decisions and trying times that are coming with coronavirus. I myself am not without injury from this interruption of life as I have lost my job and clients and I too am mourning social occasions and regular everyday life. This is not to make light of the people struggling for their lives, but to give respect and space to you brides who are mourning the day you were looking forward to for years.
It’s okay to mourn your wedding day.
It likely won’t be exactly as you had planned. Whether that means it’s just you and ten people or it’s six months to a year from now, it’ll be different. It’s okay to be sad, frustrated, mad…
Just don’t stay there.
After all, you’re still going to marry your fiancé, right? You will still celebrate with family and friends at some point in time, right?
Your wedding may look different, but it will still be GOOD.
Please take comfort in the fact that you have found your person. While the wedding may change, move, and look different, your future spouse will be right there with you. In sickness, in quarantine, and in health.
I’m here for you, too. Maybe you’ve never met me and you just found this on the internet, but I want to be a resource and a friend for you. Please, send me an email if you want to chat. I have an abundance of free time right now and I would love to help in any way.
Can I offer some practical tips for those of you making these hard decisions right now?
Think about who you really need to have at your wedding.
Could you be happy with a small gathering of 10 people? Or do you need all of your family and friends there to celebrate with you? Over the years I’ve come to realize that life truly is about the people that matter to you, and weddings are no different.
If you’ve been dreaming of that big wedding, don’t give up on that dream just because of a virus. Perhaps getting legally married now and throwing a huge celebration later is the best route for you.
If you’ve been tired of planning and were already thinking about eloping, this is the perfect reason to opt for a small, intimate wedding! Either way, let the people you care about be your guide when deciding what to do.
Check your contracts and talk to your vendors.
Read over your agreements to see what each vendor’s policies are, but also keep in mind that this entire situation is unprecedented. Vendors will likely do whatever they can to keep you as a client, and I hope that you choose to support local small businesses in the midst of this. Please try to reschedule instead of cancel if you can, because these wonderful businesses are struggling, too.
Now on to stationery. If you have already sent out save the dates or invitations, check with your stationery provider to see if they have processes and resources in place to help you.
For Lively Letter Co. clients, we are offering to change the date on your stationery at no charge.
We will make any updates for free and give you the file to either send electronically, to print at home, or we can send it to our printer on your behalf. We know there can be a huge financial burden of changing your wedding date, and we want to do whatever we can to help ease that burden.
If you’re not (yet) a client of ours, we want to help you. Email us with your situation and we will do our best to work something out within your budget. Whether that’s a change the date card or a new invitation, we’re on your side and ready to help!
No matter what situation you’re facing right now, please know you’re not alone. We all may be social distancing right now but we are still a community ready and willing to help each other. Please, reach out to us and to those around you.
