Have your wedding plans been tossed out due to the coronavirus? Are you having to cancel or postpone your wedding? Let me just say, I’m so sorry. It sucks, I know. But why not consider modifying your existing wedding day plans to adhere to local guidelines for physical distancing instead? Here are some alternatives to a traditional wedding ceremony during the pandemic.
Elope
Even before the time of the pandemic, couples have been making the decision to elope! An elopement is an intimate wedding day focused on the two of you, promising forever to one another.
Imagine this: Reading your hand written vows to each other, just the two of you, in your favourite place to be together.
It looks different for everyone, making it a truly unique experience. It could be:
- along your favourite walking trail
- in the heart of the old port
- the summit of your favourite hike
- at the beach you always visit in the summer
- Airbnb cottage/cabin/unique stay
- the family cottage
- your backyard
- the front porch
- your living room
You get to spend the day together, doing whatever you love to do together, free from the stress of tight wedding day timelines. Elopements are all about celebrating your love in a small and intimate way. Can’t see yourself getting married without your closest family and friends? That’s OK!! You can choose to include your guests in other ways. I’ve seen weddings that have been shared on Zoom, a video conferencing app. You can also have a drive by car parade, where everyone stays physically distant in their cars. There are so many creative ways to still get married at a time like this.
Have a Small Wedding Ceremony with a Handful of Guests
For this one, you’re going to need to keep a close eye on the provincial restrictions for gatherings, as well as taking your guests’ health conditions into account. We all want our loved ones to stay safe, so if you have immunocompromised family members, it may be best for them to witness your intimate wedding via video conferencing. Intimate ceremonies can be so special with those closest to you standing by your side.
Have an intimate wedding ceremony this year, and a vow renewal with reception next year
Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? If you’re dying to say “I do”, why not elope or have your intimate ceremony now, and then have a big party when it’s safer to gather in large groups. We have no way of knowing how long this is going to last, and this gives you the opportunity to celebrate TWICE! You could even have a vow renewal before the big party. This is by far my favourite option as everyone stays safe, and you still get to partyyyy!
Are you still dreaming of that big, beautiful wedding you had planned? That’s ok! You may want to postpone!
If you’re reading this and thinking, “yeahhhhh, no way! I want the wedding I worked so hard to plan, I don’t want to adapt, I don’t want to change my plans.” That’s completely valid. Anything and everything you are feeling is valid. We are all in different situations, things are changing constantly, and we have no way of knowing what will and will not be allowed in terms of gatherings and events for the rest of 2020. I would encourage you to reschedule to 2021 if you’re still dreaming of a big wedding day.
Take your time making a decision, though. Talk to your partner and family, and make the decision that’s right for YOU. Besides, even if you decide to postpone, that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your original date in some small way. Maybe order some take out and have a date night. Go out for a walk and enjoy some time together in nature. Have a large video conference call with your friends and family. Maybe even book a couples photo session to commemorate your date. As a photographer, I can keep my distance with a zoom lens! 😉
Whatever you choose, don’t forget that love always finds a way.
Not sure where to start when planning your elopement or intimate wedding ceremony?! Contact me and I can help you get started!!
Check out my latest blog post to see some of the best cabins in Quebec perfect for you elopement!
PS. Two of my absolute favourite wedding planners Le Coeur Boheme (QC) & Weddings By Brittiny (ON) are now offering Pop-Up Wedding Packages to help you with planning and decor! And my girl Avi Scribbles has FREE rescheduling invite templates available for download. Check them out!!
