Coronavirus announcement

I don’t think a message is needed. If people aren’t comfortable coming they will reach out to you. I wouldn’t cause concern unless their is a reason.

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Yeah. The only advantage of the message is that we need to give the final headcount to our caterer soon and it'll be easier if the people who don't want to tell us sooner. But I also don't want to scare other people from coming if they have not raised the issue to me.

View Quoted Comment Everyone is already aware of the virus so they should be contacting you if they are not coming.

I agree with previous post. My wedding is really small and sadly 2 guest have serious illnesses. I told my fiance to call his cousin and let her know. But i do think you can let them know. People will try to make it cause they dont want to hurt your feelings. Sometimes we have to let them know its okay and they can take back their accept. That's how i see it.

A message won’t be needed. I went to a wedding yesterday and the turnout was still large.

I kinda feel the same. We’ve had quite a few cancellations (or non-responses) as it is already notwithstanding the virus, So I totally feel you in wanting to firm up RSVPs. That way I know what my F/B min is actually going to look like and can adjust if I need too.


I’m leaning towards sending out a note/email to all guests that we are looking forward to seeing them but not actually saying anything specific. But we also have a micro-DW so we might be in a diff situation than you.

View Quoted Comment I’m having a destination wedding in Puerto Rico in 5 weeks & considering the same thing. Our RSVP deadline was in Jan, but I’m sure some people know now if they’re still going to make the trip given the circumstances. 100% of my guests are traveling by plane.


I think if I send a message acknowledging people’s anxieties then it opens up the line of communication for people to tell us yes or no and helps firm up the headcount for our florist, venue, and caterer. I think we can word it in a way that doesn’t incite fear but acknowledges as a bride we HAVE to know who’s coming to prevent a bunch of last-minute cancellations.
Wishing everyone well! These last two weeks have been anxiety-inducing!

If no one has brought it up, I don't think you should. It's on everyone's mind right now, I'm sure they're keeping an eye on updates themselves.

I attended a wedding 2 weeks ago in the Philippines. Majority of the guests were flying in from the US. The couple didn’t send an announcement about coronavirus since everyone was very aware of it. Lots of people had their flights canceled, re-routed, or had to rebook. Even with all that only 4 people canceled due to corona.


My wedding is in 9 days in New York. I’m not sending an announcement but have spoken directly with the 2 people who have pre-existing conditions. Both still plan on attending. There are always last minute cancellations at weddings and corona may or may not add to that.

I believe its the responsibility of the guests to RSVP and let you know if they need to change plans after they have RSVP'd. Your RSVP date likely corresponds with your headcount being due so I don't know that an additional coronavirus message would change much. I would never RSVP yes to a wedding and then just not go without connecting with the couple. Chances are anyone who is going to change their mind due to virus concerns is going to do it at the last minute anyway, and it won't matter if you reach out to them 2-3 weeks ahead of time.

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Yeah that's what I'm debating. It'd be nice to know earlier if a few people don't want to come. But I can't predict if a lot more people will decide to cancel last minute before the wedding.

I'm freaking out too -- ours is March 29th, and while we're getting married in the town in which we currently live, everyone from both our families needs to travel to get here. Trying to remain unstressed.......

I did send a message to my guests. Only one family has declined because they have a kid, and that's the only kid at the wedding.

My parents really want to me cancel or postpone the wedding. I don't know what to think...

I’m in the situation too. My wedding is this weekend and there has been a few declines mainly parents declining their kids. I feel that if I was the guest, I would ultimately weight the risks and benefits of going to a wedding.

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If it's this weekend, I'd power through. It seems so close and things are still relatively normal. With every weekend, there's more and more uncertainty.

I completely understand, and am nervous as well. My wedding is April 25th and I have to decide by March 25th if we are going to postpone it, and I just feel so stressed about it all. Nobody has directly told me that they won't come because of coronavirus, but most people have to fly to my wedding in Florida. We would also risk losing a chunky deposit if we decide to postpone. I am just not sure what to do.

Not a lot of advice, but wanted to let you know that you aren't alone.

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Same here - we're on march 29th in NYC. i sent an email to my guests (aka friends and family). these are all people we know and i believe it's only fair to encourage communication. open communication is at the heart of our relationship and marriage, so we are encouraging that. at this point, anything can happen. we are "Marching On" but I am fully aware that things can literally change overnight. keep calm and carry on. but i would vote to communicate honestly and encourage guests to reach out if they're considering changing plans. and then you can make a determination on a case by case basis.

also - we're planning on serving Corona Beer and as wedding gifts to guests, we're planning on handing out personal home made hand sanitizers.

I've worded it like this on our website.
"We want you to know we are taking the outbreak of COVID-19 very seriously. As of today, March 19th, our wedding remains as planned.


We have been in contact with our venue coordinator at who has communicated their efforts to ensure the venue is properly sanitized after hearing of the spread of COVID-19.


Our coordinator has shared that they have been implementing various precautionary actions in addition to their already thorough protocol.

• The event staff will be consistently washing their hands, as well as wearing gloves while handling food, butler passing, bussing tables, etc.
• Hand sanitizing stations will be available to guests in addition to frequently sanitized restrooms and common areas.
  
• All staff experiencing cold/flu symptoms will be sent home.

We encourage our guests to use their best judgement: If you are unwell or feel at risk in any way and therefore cannot attend, please let us know as soon as possible so that we may plan accordingly.


These are stressful times but we are trying our best to keep a positive and open mind about what's to come."

Stay safe & healthy!

View Quoted Comment So... what did people here decide to do? We postponed.

View Quoted Comment We postponed two weeks ago. We have rescheduled to December.