Planning your wedding is supposed to be the things that dreams are made of. Choosing that magical venue, finding that perfect dress, surrounding yourself by family and friends. And most importantly, being able to celebrate your love, your unique story with your best friend and soulmate.

What you don’t plan for is the possibility of postponement, scaled back guest lists, or cancellations due to a global pandemic.

The current situation with the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has caused a complete disruption to our normal every day lives. Businesses are encouraging employees to work from home or completely shut down, grocery stores look as though they’ve been looted, and people are hoarding toilet paper.

Most devastatingly, city and state governments are restricting non-essential gatherings for weeks on end. All this to help slow the spread of a new, unknown disease. It’s a necessary thing to do to help protect those most vulnerable until the medical professionals can get a handle on what this truly is.

That may mean that, as a couple, you’re facing a difficult decision with your wedding. If your special date falls within these timeframes, this week has been one of scrambling and deciding what to do next.

Postpone? Scale back? Cancel?

I’m here sharing a few tips to help you through this uncharted territory. Because if there’s one thing I can tell you, the wedding community is here to help you through this transition as much as we possibly can to help you from outright canceling your special day.

How are you handling an unexpected postponement or anxiety surrounding your wedding due to Coronavirus? If it’s with a lot of tears, glasses of wine, and a panic attack, I get it. I’m feeling that for you, too.

But what you need to remember is that there is a whole industry of professionals who are ready and wanting to help you through this moment. ⁠

Here are a few ways to handle the unexpected:⁠

• Talk to your wedding planner. They’re here to help navigate through this time. They have resources and a community behind them that still want you to have the best day of your lives (so far). ⁠
  
• Stay in touch with the rest of your vendor team. All of us are going through this together. This is uncharted territory for everyone. Be open and honest with your vendor team, I’m sure they’re stressing right along with you.⁠
  
• Get creative. If you have to postpone due to crowd limitations and social distancing, consider a private ceremony surrounded by you, your witnesses, and a photographer. Capture that moment, and when the time is right, celebrate with that reception, surrounded by ALL your loved ones.⁠
  
• Stay positive. I know it’s hard. With the ever-changing landscape and 24/7 news cycle, it’s hard to take a break. But trust me, get off your phone, step away from the TV, and go outside. Take a walk. Read a book. Unplug. ⁠

For those of you who have to postpone your wedding due to COVID-19, I’ve created a template that you can share digitally with your friends and family that you can save below.⁠

Don’t feel that like have to have all the details figured out. You don’t. You just need love. And to know that we’re all in this together.