The original plan was to have a 100+ person wedding in Downtown Lynchburg on Sunday, March 29th, 2020. It was on March 15th that Jess and Karch realized that their wedding would not go as planned. As different orders were issued, their venue, caterer, and other vendors cancelled and returned their deposits.
Although corona virus is an unprecedented event, so many brides have their wedding plans changed. Changes can be caused by a military deployment, financial situation, or illness. No matter the cause, what should brides do when their wedding plans go up in smoke?
A few weeks after her rescheduled wedding, Jess spoke to Church Street Bridal. She provided brides with the following advice:
1. Mourn the loss of your original plans. (With your fiance) It's incredibly disappointing to have to change any aspect of your wedding day. Take time to mourn the loss of your plans with your future groom. Speak openly about what you were excited about, before you start making new plans.
2. Perfectionism is not your friend. An attitude of perfectionism fixates on what is not “right” about the wedding day. Originally, Jess was disappointed to get married at her home. It became one of the most special details about her day.
3. Accept help from friends and family. As Jess talked about her wedding, she fondly remembers the contribution of each person. She talks about how the groomsmen cleaned and set up the front porch. The simulcast was set up and run by a tech-savvy friend. Her mother-in-law decorated the porch. Her sister surprised her with her incredible hair skills. When Jess allowed other people to take control of tasks on her wedding day, she was able to relax and enjoy her day. Rather than frantically delegating details, she viewed each piece of her day at a gift.
Jess married her best friend, Karch, on March 21st, 2020 on the front porch of their home. The sun shone beautifully after a day of drizzling rain. A neighbor let the bridal party take photos in their backyard, among their flowers. A small group of family and friends sat in chairs on the lawn, as people watched online via Facebook Live and a simulcast. The groomsmen and bridesmaid lined the sidewalks as Jess and Karch exchanged their vows.
Rain or shine, small or large….your wedding will bring hope and love to any situation.