COVID-19 has affected life all over the globe. Chances are, you’re working from home or you’ve been asked to take extra precautions if you must go to work. Trips outside are no longer taken for granted, especially with the CDC’s recommendation to limit public gatherings. If you have friends who planned to tie the knot during 2020, they’re probably worried about their wedding or scrambling to reschedule. Fortunately, there are things you can do as a friend or family member to help the nearlyweds in your life.
Watch Your Email and Text Notifications
Most weddings originally scheduled for May are being postponed. Some June, July, and August nuptials are also being rescheduled. Depending on the situation, your soon-to-be-wed friends could end up choosing a new venue, hiring different vendors, or even remaking their original wedding theme. They’ve got a lot on their plates, so the key is to be patient and watch for communications from them about their plans. You may receive a change-the-date card either electronically or by snail mail. If the wedding is a few weeks away or less, look for an email or text blast.
Keep Sending Those Gifts
Chances are, your friends are probably rescheduling their big day instead of canceling. The Knot’s Sarah Hanlon clarifies that it’s perfectly fine to purchase gifts for them. You typically have up to two months after the wedding to gift the couple, and that applies to their newly chosen date. When choosing a gift, you have a couple of options: purchasing from their registry or sending cash gifts. They’ll likely appreciate either one, but keep in mind that physical shipments may experience delays in reaching their destinations.
If you opt to give the couple money, Wedding Wire’s Allyson Johnson has some useful advice. Start with a gift of at least $50 if you’re a singleton or $150 if you’re giving as a couple, Johnson says. Send your gift electronically if at all possible: If the couple doesn’t have a cash registry, Money Under 30 lists several services such as PayPal, Google Wallet, and Venmo. When in doubt, check with the couple for their preferences.
These are great recommendations, but what if your friends have to limit their new event to close friends and family only? You should still send a gift, Hanlon advises. They didn’t plan on COVID-19 upending their plans, and they were thinking of you when they sent their initial invitation. The couple may choose to livestream the ceremony, so stay tuned for those details so you can join in their special moment.
Reach Out and Support Your Friends
Social distancing has made many of us more eager for interpersonal contact. Your engaged friends are no different. Like you, they may be binge-watching their favorite shows, telecommuting for their jobs, discovering new hobbies, or trying to find ways to relax. They could also be making new wedding plans or adjusting existing ones. Jenn Sinrich explains how couples can purpose this quarantine period to their benefit in another March 2020 Wedding Wire piece.
Experts recommend taking breaks from wedding planning, whether socially distancing or not. Just staying in regular contact with the couple can help take their minds off the process. Maybe it’s time to throw a virtual Netflix party or start that DnD campaign you’ve been talking about. If you’re stumped for ideas, Vice’s Rachel Miller has plenty of suggestions. Remember that they may need to vent about the frustrations of planning, so be willing to listen to their concerns.
Stay Connected While Apart
The coronavirus outbreak has forced many engaged couples to make drastic changes to their original plans. It’s a stressful time for everyone, so mutual understanding is vital. Staying connected, giving gifts, and emotional support can go a long way to help the nearlyweds in your life.
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