Weddings in COVID-19 times
With the pandemic still going strong, here’s how to un-invite wedding guests, and other virus etiquette tips
In a pre-pandemic world, the wedding season would be well under way, and with it, the elaborate celebrations. But the pandemic has uprooted nearly every aspect of life, including the way we celebrate love.
The coronavirus spreads primarily from person to person, and people are especially at risk in poorly ventilated, indoor spaces. Couples who were scheduled to get married this year are making difficult choices: Do they postpone their weddings entirely? Or do they get married with just immediate family around, and have a larger party at a later date, when it is considered safe to do so? Or should they go ahead with the wedding but cut down on the guest list?
HEALTH OVER HAPPINESS
When planning a wedding during a pandemic, the soon-to-wed couple should prioritise the health and safety of their guests, advises the Knot, a popular wedding-planning website that has put together resources for couples navigating this period. For people going ahead with a wedding, the Knot suggests setting back-up dates with venues and vendors in case infections surge or gathering restrictions change.
Jacquelyn Youst, an etiquette expert and owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol, says, “They also do have to take into account the guest comfort level and (if they have a wedding) to not expect for everybody to come,” she said.
HOW TO UN-INVITE A GUEST
Here’s some advice from experts on how couples and guests should handle this weird wedding season. If you have to cut guests yourself, it’s best to let people know of this change of plans with as much personal touch as possible. Don’t make it cold and generic, Youst said. Youst suggests couples tell uninvited guests that they look forward to celebrating
with them in other ways. The Knot, however, does recommend that one is cognizant of one’s social media posting after the celebration. Try to avoid posting photos of guests who were in attendance.
If you’ve been invited to a wedding and the RSVP is already in, but you now don’t want to go, Youst says that one tells the couple as soon as possible and be honest but polite. “The bride and groom should understand and respect your decision and comfort level regarding the virus.” (DPA)