Tips On How To Keep Your Wedding Planning Alive
One year ago exactly, life was so much different for all of us. Some of you may have been packing your suitcases for that long awaited vacation, or maybe you were in process of celebrating something very magical. That is exactly where my husband, Nick and I were last year at this very time. We were in the final countdown of celebrating the one thing that is most precious to us – our love. Our wedding day represented more than just our 12 year relationship together, as we were the first same sex couple to get married at one of Arizona’s most popular resorts, and had just come off a viral social media experience after creating the first ever “Same Sex Barbie Wedding Set.”
My husband and I sit together on our one-year wedding anniversary going through pictures, thinking about our special day where equality and the feeling of genuine love filled the air. What is also heavy on our minds, is a sense of sadness and the utmost feelings of compassion for the people that are financially suffering within the events industry. This also includes every person that had to cancel a graduation party, family reunion, work retreat, religious celebration, and wedding. There were so many beautiful moments that people were looking forward to that suddenly went away due to a virus that no one saw coming.
Last year, the wedding industry was estimated to be worth in the billions, and that was just in the United States. So, what can we do to make sure the industry that helps everyone celebrate stay afloat, while showing compassion for the couples that had to put their “I Do’s” on pause? Here are some thoughts and ideas:
1) Postpone, Don’t Cancel
I recently spoke to the owner of one of Arizona’s most popular floral studios, Juliet Le Fleur. Julie Robinson and her family have been in the floral business since 1883. She said that it would mean the world if clients would postpone their big event to a future date than cancel all together. I honor that action and hope you do too. Everyone can understand that moving your wedding date is a huge disappointment, especially when hours and hours of planning were spent ironing out all the details. Just know that when your special day does come that it is going to feel like an even bigger celebration. Not only will you be celebrating the love between you and your partner, but also how the two of you (and your families) survived this unprecedented pandemic.
2) Remember Your Intentions
If there is one thing that this pandemic has taught us is that we cannot take our health and family for granted. If your wedding has been canceled, understand that every guest and vendor involved is going through the same roller coaster of emotions too. Your wedding day may not have happened on the date it was supposed to, but it will indeed happen at some point. I encourage you envision yourself flying 30,000 feet above and looking at the bigger picture of what your wedding is all about. Words such as; love, health, family, companionship, and togetherness should come to mind. So, waiting, rearranging, and pushing all your hard work back may be very difficult, but just remember your intentions and what you are actually celebrating. Not a calendar date – but the genuine care and love you have for your partner, and the gratitude for the relatives and friends that have been there for you both.
3) Get Creative
We’ve all seen those virtual weddings and socially distanced celebrations take place since the pandemic hit. These are good options and I love seeing the joyful spirit behind them. However, if you are able to set a new wedding date, I encourage you to use this downtime to get creative. Social media has become one of our greatest tools to connect. And, no topic is more popular on social media than weddings. So, use this time to dive deep into your wedding details, document your wedding planning, and connect with your event vendors to promote them online. Here are some ideas;
- Team up with your wedding day catering company chef, Instagram Live and share one of their easy appetizer recipes. You can even share screens with them and cook together. Another idea is to make your own video featuring their inspired tasty cuisines. Make sure to tag them in it, reference their website, and highlight why you chose them for your special day.
- Post a video of your florist creating a sample flower arrangement of what you are envisioning for your wedding day. Share your combined vision boards online. This can help showcase the talent of your florist, and your own creative #WeddingInspo ideas. Any flower arrangements created can be donated to a local hospital.
- Have your DJ play a live set on their Facebook page, and invite everyone you know to tune in to watch. Your online friends may just help create your wedding day playlist, and hopefully book your DJ for a future event.
- If you specialize in the digital world, ask one of your vendors if they need help updating any of their digital content. Online messaging during this pandemic is very important for businesses. Come up with imagery and thoughtful messaging to let the public know your vendor is still open and scheduling future events.
- YouTube is a great way to document your wedding planning experience. Use this time to express your excitement and details surrounding your future wedding day. Talk about how you met your partner, why you chose certain vendors, the location, etc. This COVID-19 pandemic is a historic moment, and documenting how you are planning, feeling, and working with vendors through this time is something you will want to remember forever.
I have always been a guy that loves “love.” Yes, the genuine love one feels from their partner, relatives, and friends is my kryptonite. I ask you to not give up on the idea of celebrating love but instead, use this moment to appreciate who is currently in your quarantine corner. I promise, that no matter what, you will have a really amazing wedding day. In the meantime, connect with your vendors and keep your wedding planning process moving forward. Although your wedding date may change, your truest intentions are what will shine the brightest when your special day finally arrives.
