Coronavirus affecting your family/guest decision to come to your wedding

I’d just reach out to them individually and reassure them that they’ll be safe. This virus has been around for a long time and more people die of the flu. It has a high survival rate and there are very few cases in the country. I think once you reassure them they’ll be okay.

It's a tough situation to be in. I wish you the best! I hope your grandma can make it. My grandma is the Love of my life and she won't be at my DW in Jamaica but I'm having a smaller reception in NY just so that she can be there so I know how you feel.

So sorry that your going thru this I know I had to rush my bridesmaids to place their dress orders due to the virus.. I hope there is a solution for you hopefully things wrk out for the best and your grandma comes.

My wedding is at the end of March in California. My dad already can't come because of the travel restrictions. I've moved on from this news and tried to stay calm for my guests too. I'm not changing the wedding date even if it's a smaller wedding.

View Quoted Comment

My FH was sweet and asked if I wanted to do a second wedding or party in Mexico. While very sweet it's not exactly the same, bright side I can wear y dress again. Realistically, I wouldn't know when to plan it for and I'm not sure I'm up to two weddings at this point. If I had known that I would've planned according now it just seems like more stress than what I'm already going through lol.

Jamaica sounds fun! Is it hard planning to receptions?

View Quoted Comment

I think that's another reason I am so sad I know there is no way I can move the date. Sorry about your dad not being able to make it.

View Quoted Comment

Same here. I can't move the date either. It is what it is. I'm going to livestream it and maybe that's something you can do too.

I feel for you love, but the truth is that someone like your grandma is probably most susceptible to the virus so for her protection its best she consider not coming. In all honestly I wouldn't look into any destination type celebrations until there is better understanding and hopefully control over the virus. My husband and I planned our 1 year marriage anniversary trip to Italy & Spain for late August, most of our trip is booked and paid for, with insurances. We are keeping a very close eye and hoping something happens but even at that we are ok with cancelling or changing locations but who knows where we will even be able to travel at that time.

My wedding is on March 20 and I live in Washington state. Most of our guests are from out of town and we have lost 7 so far because of the coronavirus concerns. My heart aches and breaks as this becomes worst before our big day, especially because the date is meaningful to us and we dont want to wait another year. Ive told our guests to please stay home if they are sick or if they dont feel comfortable being here during the outbreak and with just 2 weeks left, I dont know what else to do but cry.

I am sorry to hear this, My wedding is in August and I know I still have some time but i'm sad that this even has to be a concern for us 2020 brides.

View Quoted Comment

My wedding is June 22nd in Snohomish, WA. I'm hoping we'll have some plan of action or an antibiotic figured out by then, but I feel your pain. Most of my guests are in Washington already, but the entire wedding party is from Los Angeles area (where we used to live). Just remember that anyone who doesn't come isn't choosing to out of spite, they're just worried and concerned about their health, and they have every right to make that decision the way they need to. Hopefully a solution is discovered soon. Good luck!

My wedding is set in California (where I live) sir Sept 2018. However 90% of our guests would need to get on a plane to attend our wedding. My fiancée is from Mexico, I’m originally from NY and all my friends are from school I attended internationally. Our guest list is 130, but if only people from San Francisco came, we’re looking at a wedding of 20. My dad is 71 and has cancer, and lives in NY, so now I’ve realized my own parents can’t attend my wedding, because it’s too risky for my dad to get on a plane. My sister lives in NY and my brother in AZ. I’m seriously considering asking my venue if we can move the date, but it would be moved to a year out. I’m sure there are thousands of brides out there dealing with exactly this. I have to remind myself that keeping our loved ones safe is what’s important, even if it means having a redo a year or two later

View Quoted Comment

Also a California (Bay area) bride. Also having similar concerns and would have a similar breakout in numbers to you. We are inviting about 120 (had been hoping for 100+ or -), but literally have only about 20 guests that are local. His dad is 85 and lives in NYC so while they are still planning on coming, my concerns over if they will in the end - or if we are putting his health at risk if they do - are top of mind. It would be heartbreaking for them not to be there as we are both very close with his parents. Not to mention his brother (with small kids) and all my bridesmaids, grandparents, etc. I wouldn't have minded an intimate wedding and we had actually really thought about one initially, but only if I could be sure the people I am closest to can be there.

You are lucky if your venue gives you the option of postponing - I am seriously wishing I had that as an option (though realize it's not ideal either)! ...my venue (which includes catering and lodging) requires us to still pay the minimums. It feels insane to spend so much money on so few people as our venue has 100 person minimum for catering, etc. The contract says we owe the money even in the event of and "Act of God" which is the closest thing I could find to what we are seeing happening right now. I am not sure what would happen if things got worse (such as what we're seeing in Italy, China) and we were literally on lockdown. In that case, MAYBE the venue would have to let us postpone?!? I couldn't afford to do this again if not at another date, as much as might want to unless we were able to recoup some costs. Just hoping the situation gets better soon!!

Ughh...so much to worry about when wedding planning is already stressful enough without a global pandemic!

I’m getting married this weekend and my family is all canceling their trips this week. They live driving distance away and I’m not in an affected area. I’ve already paid everything in full. The media has blown this way out of proportion and has people absolutely panicked

View Quoted Comment

Oh no I am so sorry! I get they are scared to be in a busy places but if you are in a non affected area and they are healthy statistically they would be fine. That is a real shame it's hard to reconcile their fears, with your sadness of not having them, and the money you just spent.

Not what us brides want to think about before what is supposed to be one of the happiest moments in our lives.

View Quoted Comment

We aren't postponing. We made deposits on everything and paid some things in full. I come from a very old fashioned family, can't move in together until I'm married so since we already have a place to rent, I got no choice. lol In a seriousness though the most important people at the wedding is my FH and me. We are ready to be married and start our lives together, with that information alone I will proceed forward.

But yes planning a wedding, fixing up a house and stressing if it will be done in time is stressful enough without the pandemics. Definitely not something I ever thought I would have to contend with while planing my wedding.

View Quoted Comment

Sorry to hear your story. You are right keeping them safe is the most important thing. I hope that the virus slows down enough for people to feel safe to travel again soon so you can have both your families around you for your big day.

I ended up cancelling my 03/20 wedding. Many of our guests are from out of town and cancelled on us because of the outbreak. And to make matters worse, my fiance's family (dad, mom, sister) are in the Philippines and India, with weak immune systems and cancelled less than 2 weeks from schedule. So we decided to cancel 12 days before. Now we plan to get married at the courthouse this year on that date, and next year celebrate with everyone with a ceremony and reception. Its not how I pictured my big day, but we will make it work. I live in Washington, the epicenter of the outbreak, so I can tell you that you are in a better situation than I am since you are in Cali and better odds. Your guests should be comfortable and you should understand as well. It sucks so bad to deal with this. Thankfully our vendors are willing to reschedule everything and what matters is we still get married on the day we planned and we can celebrate with everyone a year from you hoping the outbreak subsides by then, also including our loved ones. At least your family will be healthy, at least those who cant make it. You should set up a live feed so they can watch. I know if they are important to you, they must feel really bad for missing it but it really is for their own wellbeing. Focus that it you and your husbands day. Embrace it!

Our small 33 person wedding is set for 3/20 in Hawaii. We have started to receive cancellations as most are traveling from the New York area. Not sure yet what we are going to do, but thankful to read everyone's posts. Wild times. Trying to embrace it as Katrina said!

I understand your frustration, especially when it's your family who you want to see the most may possibly not be able to attend. This virus just has everyone scared, companies, airlines, cruiselines do not want to be the ones responsible for spreading this virus. And it's sad, because the people we love are the ones suffering and the ones that are out there, truly sick are the ones being selfish and spreading this awful virus.

I think all you can do is think positive, and if you have to, run away, run to your Abuelita and get married in front of her. You can always still have your beautiful planned wedding but know that the one who meant the most to you can witness it privately.

Our wedding is not until October, but we're thinking positively, moving forward with our plans and will hope for the best.