Reimagining the Dream: How COVID-19 Changed My Wedding Plans
As the world came to a standstill in March 2020, I found myself among the 93% of American brides-to-be who had to reconstitute their spring wedding plans due to the global pandemic. My fiancé and I had meticulously planned our May 2020 wedding, complete with a guest list of 120 people, a yacht club, caterers, and a makeup artist. But as Massachusetts went under strict stay-at-home orders, I began to stress about the uncertainty of our big day.
The Reality Check
It took a lot of wine and tears to finally utter the words, “We should cancel” to my future husband. As we delved into the numbers and contracts, it became clear that getting our deposits back from vendors wouldn’t be straightforward. Most were happy to accommodate a new date, but not open to returning funds. With no new date in mind, our deposits hung in limbo.
The New Plan
On May 18, 2020, we decided to put our original wedding plans to bed and get creative in the midst of COVID-19. We opted for an intimate ceremony with ten guests at one of the oldest churches in Massachusetts. Our reimagined wedding cost slightly less than $3,000, thanks to the generosity of my new father-in-law, who gifted us $1,000.
Breaking Down the Costs
- Marriage License: $45
- Church: $200 (donation)
- Flowers: $289
- Photographer: $1,400 (including $500 deposit)
- Dress: $0 (recycled an ivory Zara dress)
- Accessories: $44
- Makeup: $15 (did my own makeup)
- Suit and Alterations: $132
- Rings: $559
- Dinner: $250
Lessons Learned
My advice to other brides is simple: prioritize what’s most important to you and your spouse-to-be. It’s your relationship, and it’ll be your marriage. Coming to a mutual agreement and plan together should take precedent. Meditate on what ultimately matters, and don’t let external circumstances dictate your happiness.
The Silver Lining
In the end, our reimagined wedding was a beautiful, intimate celebration of our love. We learned to adapt, prioritize, and focus on what truly matters. As we look forward to our “sequel wedding” in 2021, we’re grateful for the unexpected turn of events that led us to this moment.
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