As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the world, many engaged couples have been dismayed to find that their long-awaited weddings are no longer able to go off as planned. If you have a 2020 wedding date looming, you might be wondering what to do. After all, weddings are costly, and some venues book up years in advance—this can be financially and emotionally devastating for the brides- and grooms-to-be, as well as their families and friends.

Rescheduled wedding? You’re not alone

Take heart in the fact that if you’ve had to reschedule your wedding or reception, you’re not alone. Engaged couples across America are now coping with the new rules for social distancing, which ban gatherings of over 10 people—or shut them down completely.

In Indiana, the governor has declared a public health emergency and has issued a stay-at-home order, which closes all “non-essential” businesses and prohibits gatherings of over 10 people from different households. This means that for many people, their big wedding will have to be at a later date, or else dramatically scaled down. Vendors, including photographers, DJs, caterers and officiants, may not be able to perform their contracted duties.

However, since everyone is in this same boat, many vendors have been understanding—after all, their businesses are affected, too. If you’ve already scheduled, planned and pre-paid for your wedding, be sure to call your wedding planner and your vendors to see if they can help you find a new date for your nuptials.

What you can do if you don’t want to reschedule

Many couples choose specific wedding dates because they hold a special significance. If you still want to get married on that same date, you do have are a few options:

  • Have a much smaller wedding: If you already got your marriage license and just need to hold a ceremony, you can still have a much smaller wedding. With you, your future spouse and the officiant, you’ll have to limit guests to seven people, but you can still get married on your desired date.
  • Reschedule the reception only: Postponing the reception until after the pandemic passes will still allow you to celebrate with your friends and family, just at a later time. Even if that’s less than ideal, consider how happy your loved ones will be to get out of the house and enjoy the company of others by then.
  • Use technology to connect: You can still hold a party, even if everyone is stuck at home. Consider asking your guests to connect via a videoconferencing service to have drinks, make toasts and celebrate the happy couple.

Although the circumstances are less than ideal, you can still make the best of a bad situation.

COVID-19 wedding receptions in Lowell, IN

Looking for a wedding reception venue after the COVID-19 crisis is over? Signature Banquets offers a beautiful 9,000 square-foot reception hall, complete with both indoor and outdoor spaces and in-house catering. For more information about booking our reception hall or rescheduling your reception in light of COVID-19, call us today.