With Covid 19 and the Corona Virus Pandemic, more and more weddings are being postponed. Back in March I naively thought it would be the April, May and possibly June weddings that would be affected. WOW, how wrong was I? The feeling of impending doom has washed over us all and slowly but surely more weddings have been postponed. I have couples from December moving to 2021. Even with Lockdown restrictions easing (ever so slightly) most couples just can’t go ahead with 30 people. I get It. But what comes with this is an overwhelming sense of sadness and grief for the day you imagined. These feelings are real and they are valid.
Kirstie and Charlotte (from Peterborough) have had to postpone their wedding due to Corona virus and as their wedding photographer I have been checking in with them regularly. They have shown some serious determination, not to let the postponement blues set in. They have some great advice for other couples facing the same situation, this is their story…
Kirstie, tell me a bit about how you met each other?
We met 7 years ago at college whilst studying Musical Theatre together. Charlotte asked me to marry her in her Grandparents kitchen whilst we were house sitting. She had planned to do it on my birthday, but she got too excited and blurted it out whilst we were cooking dinner! Our original wedding date was Saturday 27th June, but we postponed to 6th March 2021!
What sort of wedding plans did you have?
Our wedding was all planned and organised. Our venue was (and still is!) The Holiday Inn, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough. We are not one for traditions, so our theme is just very us- whatever we want! It does have a rustic vibe to it though. Charlotte has a big family, so we have quite a few people invited. In the evening we have 120 people- didn’t realise we knew that many people to be honest!
Once Lockdown happened, what feelings did you have on the run up to your wedding date?
At the start of Lockdown we didn’t really have any idea and clue how long it was going to last so we weren’t initially too worried. As time went on it became clearer, wasn’t likely that our wedding was going to happen. Yes, don’t get me wrong it’s gutting that it wasn’t going to happen on the 27th but that didn’t mean we weren’t going to get married at all!
We’d worked hard to save for the wedding so that we could have what we want, there was no way we were going to limit numbers, or not have a reception because that’s all part of the fun right? We were both really calm about it because there was nothing we could physically do, to change it- what will be will be. Why worry about something that you can’t change?
Did you do anything special on your original wedding date?
On our original wedding date we had a small celebration to recognise our ‘should be wedding date’ and yes, it was an odd day because we were supposed to be getting married, but we weren’t sad because it was still going to happen. And we have each other still? We’ve been engaged for 4 years, I’ve waited that long already so another 8 months isn’t that big of a deal. It’s also been a silver lining for us because we’ve been able to make some changes that we wouldn’t have had before. The date is just a date- we’re getting married at some point.
There have been times where I’ve wished we could have just got married, but very quickly I realised, that actually, its OK. It just couldn’t be helped.
How have you taken care of yourselves during Lockdown?
Throughout lockdown we have both been working. Charlotte has been working as normal by going in to work so nothing has really changed for her work wise whereas I had been working from home. Zoom calls have been our go to for seeing family and friends which has been amazing! I kept myself busy by giving myself the couch to 5K challenge, which I actually kept up and have continued since, so I’m very proud of that!
Has this shown you what is important in life?
The Covid 19 situation has really made me think about what is actually important. I think a lot of people would agree that it makes you realise who is most important to us and how we shouldn’t take them for granted.
Do you have any tips for other couples who have had to postpone their wedding?
Top tips:
Look after yourself. If you’re feeling rubbish- talk about it. Surprisingly, there are a lot more people feeling the same and actually understand how you feel too!
Celebrate your original date with something special.
Reach out to your venues and suppliers to see how they can help you change everything.
Look at your new date as a new start. I’ve started to ‘re-plan’ everything from the order of the day, to choices that we have made for the decorations.
Treat it as a chance to get excited about it all over again. Changes can be made if you want to!
Contact your wedding Photographer and get yourselves booked in for a pre-wedding pick me up.
What one bit of advice would you give other couples who are now postponing their Autumn weddings?
Celebrate the day you were supposed to be getting married. It’s still a special day because you chose it. Make memories so that you can look back fondly!
What are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?
I am so looking forward to being together with everyone I care about and celebrate an incredibly happy day! We’re both very excited for the Reception and non-stop dancing!
