One minute you’re selecting your wedding lehenga and finalizing your vendors and the next you’re on facetime with your fiancé discussing what to do now. With your mind running all over the place with all the uncertainty, it’s normal to feel sad, anxious, and disheartened. Since the coronavirus (Covid-19) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 15, it has not been business as usual for anyone, including those of us in the wedding industry and couples beginning to or already in the middle of their wedding plans.

The situation remains fluid and no one is completely sure of how long we will be in lock-down and will be social distancing. Even if lock-down is over, there’s very little chance for the Government of India to allow gathering of more than 50 at weddings anytime soon. (Read more about updates on wedding gatherings on government official website)

Whatever stage you’re at, you probably have a lot of questions about how to navigate wedding planning during COVID-19. I may not have all the answers, but I am here to help you, as best I can.

FAQS ABOUT WEDDINGS DURING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

SHOULD WE POSTPONE OUR WEDDING?

If you are planning to postpone because you won’t be able to invite more than 50 people, then I would suggest you don’t. With no vaccine so far the situation is going to be the same, the government won’t allow mass gathering anytime soon. So the best thing you can do is get your planning hat on and go ahead with it.

HOW DO WE POSTPONE/CANCEL OUR WEDDING DUE TO COVID-19?

If you have already paid deposits and booked everything, now would be a good time to check your vendors’ contract. A few tips:

– Check your contracts for what happens to your deposits. 

– Check with your venue what options you have.

– if you are postponing then update all your vendors on priority about future dates.

– Let your guests know what’s happening and that you will keep them informed

WHERE DO I HOST THE WEDDING?

At your beautiful home. Be it a terrace, garden, social hall of society, or your drawing-room. A wedding is about you two and your love. Don’t let a place define it. It will grow anywhere. There are a lot of wedding planners who are doing an amazing job at decorating said places for a party of as little as 20 people. So imagination is the limit. Also, do explore your options with your wedding planner.

HOW DO I INVITE FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO ARE AWAY?

As of today, 30th May 2020, Domestic travel is possible but still very uncertain. International travel is out of the question. So we go to the internet. No, seriously, the internet! Arrange for them a live video via Youtube Live, Zoom or Facebook live. The setting you can keep private or public as per your comfort and share it with your guests. You can ask your wedding planner or photographer for providing this service as well. 

HOW DO I MANAGE CATERER FOR THE WEDDING?

To my surprise, many caterers are providing food at the venue and the same food delivered to your entire guest (within the same city). So they can all get dressed up, enjoy the same food, and witness your love on their television. 

WEDDING PLANNING ADVICE REGARDING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Follow Covid-19 guidelines given by the Government of India and local government  Please keep those hands clean and away from the face. Wear and mask and wash your hands with a bar of soap. Do not invite more than 50 people, as it will be unsafe.

INFORM YOUR GUESTS

Let them know all the updates of your wedding. You can create artwork as your wedding invitations and send that around. For everyone’s safety please ask everyone attending the wedding physically to get a test for symptoms from any local doctor. Or you can ask your wedding planner to arrange for an infrared thermometer at the venue to check all vendors and guests. I know this sounds a bit much but it will keep your family & friends safe. 

SHOP LOCAL

If you had planned to import or get something from around the county, it might be a bit difficult to get them. So try to find local artists/vendors. You can almost find some amazing ones within your city.

PLEASE REMEMBER, LOVE IS NOT CANCELLED, HUMANITY IS NOT CANCELLED, HOPE IS NOT CANCELLED. 

I will not lie. As a small business, as a human being, I am very shaken and worried about the future. So, I can’t even imagine how it is for you to reschedule or plan your wedding in all this, which by the way is already a very stressful event. But I do know this, we will beat this. We will get through to the other side. We are all in this together.

So Please don’t stress, take a break once in a while. Talk to your partner about you, your love. Remember your love is not cancelled. Hope is not cancelled. We all will get through this together.

I hope I was able to answer most of your questions. And I hope you are a bit relaxed after reading this.

Meanwhile, take care of yourself and keep those hands clean. 

If you have any more questions, please connect me. Whatsapp, Insta, email. I am here for you.