Postponed Weddings - How to celebrate the day that should have been your Wedding Day
So, you’ve been planning your dream day for months possibly even years – you might even have been about to live out the perfect wedding day you have dreamed of since childhood. And then BAMM! Covid-19 hit the world and tipped everything up on end. Let’s face it, it’s affected us all in lots of ways.
Being a Wedding Supplier I was watching the news like a hawk, washing my hands like a beast and keeping distance from everyone (still am!) – in the hope that this virus wouldn’t hit the UK like it did in Italy and Spain and we wouldn’t have to lock down. If you are reading this, I guess you were in much the same frame of mind.
Now here we are, 3 months on and weddings are still on hold. Whilst there is light at the end of the tunnel there is no way of knowing when they will open again - and in fact most weddings for June, July and August have already been postponed.
So what now? Your original date may soon be approaching. How are you feeling about that?
Are you dreading the day, knowing you won’t be able to resist thinking of what you should have been doing at each key time throughout the day? I urge you to make plans to ensure this is not the case for you. Because you know, that date will be arriving every year – so instead make a happy memory of it and have a tale to tell for years to come.
I’ve written this blog with ideas as to how you can make some beautiful memories of your “un-wedding day”.
An Online Ceremony
As a Celebrant, I am now offering ceremonies online - which can include guests, with the power of zoom (video call). It’s been so great to work with couples and to see them share a really intimate, emotional and fun moment with their loved ones. The couples are getting dressed up, in fact so are their guests! Some of them have balloons and bunting in the background. Their guests have been able to witness the couple exchange their pre-nuptial vows – some have chosen the very traditional vows we all recognise and others have chosen to promise their devotion and commitment to each other during this additional waiting time for their wedding day.
I’ve also shared ring exchanges, cake cutting and first dances with some couples and so far ALL have had a drink ready for a toast at the end. Cheers!
A lovely moment for me is when I can sit back and allow each guest a few moments to say their good wishes to the couple. It is this moment that I realise the power of what we have all shared. There are parents, grandparents, other family and friends that are all missing out on your day too – and when they are invited to share your online ceremony instead, they feel so privileged. Personally I have been blown away by the love and emotion I can feel through my screen. Despite the fact we could be sitting miles apart and are in the confines of our homes, I have felt so connected with these strangers – so I can only imagine how amazing it feels to be watching your loved ones share a special moment on screen.
For full details of my online services please visit www.kellyhcelebrant.co.uk/online-ceremonies
Invitations
Part of my online ceremony packages include downloadable invitations. These have been lovingly made by Clare of www.claregraydesigns.com Depending on the package you chose there are various options available.
Of course Clare offers all aspects of you wedding stationery, whether downloadable or fully printed. Her stationery is customisable and bespoke and she specialises in bold brush lettering, tactile cardstocks and luxurious foil finishes. She really loves pretty paper, but recently has enjoyed working with couples to create beautiful digital stationery too.
some more of Clare's creations
Whether you are having an online ceremony or not, here’s some other great suppliers with other services you could book to celebrate your "un-wedding day"
All of these businesses were recently featured on Instagram Live with me - you can catch up watching these on my IGTV Instagram: @kellyhcelebrant
Photos
Nikki has been really inventive and providing FaceTime photo shoots. This means it's an add-on service that is totally socially distancing friendly. So whatever you chose to do to celebrate your un-wedding day, make sure you get dressed up and book Nikki to capture some great shots of you
Live Music
Sam Lewis has packed up his van and bought his live music to your doorstep. Fantastic service for your first dance after an online ceremony or indeed any celebration - he has been covering birthdays and anniversaries and so many have turned into street parties! Hear him live on my IGTV
Facebook: @thetroubadoorstep
Another way to incorporate music into your online ceremony is as another "guest" on our zoom meeting. Rosie of Tailor Made Music Agency has lots of musicians on her books and you can book one to play live through the video stream. On our Instagram Live we were joined by Zita Silva the Harpist playing live and it was such a moving and emotional moment.
Instagram: @tailormademusciagency
Rosie Loker
First Dance
Alison is an amazing dancer and choreographer and she is able to work with you to coach you for the perfect first dance. Whether it be something simple or a full on routine. This is something I would definitely recommend as there is nothing more embarrassing than clutching on to your loved one and just swaying around and around on the dance floor - when I married this was definitely us, and it felt like a lifetime and it wasn't particularly enjoyable!
Flowers
Suzy runs Flowers by Suzanne Randell, a multi-award winning wedding and event florist covering Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
They are a small team of creative florists specialising in weddings and events, and love nothing more than collaborating with couples, working creatively with their visualisations to produce beautiful designs. Flowers are their passion and they love working with the seasons and the amazing colours which come with the different times of year. Each year they use more British flowers to reduce their carbon footprint and they strive to be eco-friendly!
Instagram: flowersbysuzannerandell
Planning
If you love all the ideas above and want to book them all - BUT the thought of all that organising fills you with dread - then you need Hannah Rose of Complete Rose Events. Hannah will listen to all your ideas and needs and take all the hard work off your hands. She will do all the legwork, and of course you will be able to oversee and approve all decisions but her planning skills and ideas will take your day to another level.