10 WAYS TO SHOW SUPPORT TO COUPLES THAT HAD TO POSTPONE THEIR WEDDING
So you know a couple that had to postpone their wedding due to Covid-19, maybe even more than once. Ugh! You might have already received a notification of wedding postposition. If you’re thinking of an idea on how to respond, show support, or help, you’re in the right place!
Whether you’re part of the wedding party, family, or one of the guests, showing support during these times can mean the world to a couple that poured their heart into planning one of the most elaborate events of their lives and then suddenly having to make the difficult decision to postpone.
This is a 10-way guide to support couples who had to postpone their wedding, and some advice from Karisha Marie, a real Wedding Planner based in Puerto Rico (me!) that has helped many couples navigate the process of having to move their wedding date.
Let’s go ahead and start with what you shouldn’t do, yes?
01. Please don’t say, “It’s going to be okay.”
It’s a bit lazy, and you can do better than that! Right now, your friends are rereading vendor contracts, probably losing money, canceling travel plans, dealing with guest logistics, and making tough decisions. So right now, it’s okay that it may not be that okay for your friends to be okay, k? Instead, try saying things like, “I’m so sorry.” “I’m here for you.” “What do you need?” “How can I help?”
02. Do not try to give advice or ask too many questions
Keep things about the couple and not about you. Do not bombard them with questions and unsolicited advice. The most stressed-out brides I’ve seen are those that felt overwhelmed by all the questions they were getting from family and friends, mostly because they didn’t have an answer just yet. I’m sure you will be informed of the new wedding date and eventualities when they get to that, and if they need any advice, they’ll certainly ask for it.
03. Reach out with a voice memo instead of a text
Even for a few minutes, hearing the voice of friends and family can be surprisingly soothing. Instead of just writing it out, send out an encouraging voice memo saying how much you love them and that you can’t wait to celebrate their union when the day comes.
04. Send them comfort food
Food always makes everything better, am I right? Sending out an Uber Eats lunch to their house or dinner by a local restaurant offering delivery is a great way to support your friends by supporting local small businesses. A nice ripple effect!
05. Bake them cookies
Baked goods always put a smile on everyone’s face! Whether you do them from scratch or Betty Crocker your way through it, baking cookies and leaving them at their doorstep is a gesture from you they will cherish forever. Keep a few at home for yourself, and hello, a win-win situation!
06. Make them a Care Box
Filling out a box with their favorite snacks and goodies shows you want to go the extra mile! You can also come up with a “Relax at Home Kit” to help set their mood. Include items like candles, face masks, calming tea bags, and a kind note from you.
07. Provide a Healthy Distraction
Hosting a small and socially distanced game night can be a nice distraction for the couple to stay away from their phones and the News. A board game or a deck of cards will do the trick. Take care of everything and only have them show up for the good old fun!
08. Facetime or Video Call
In times of social distancing, Facetime can be very uplifting! Take the time to sit, free of any distractions, and video call your friends who have postponed their wedding. More than doing the talking, invest time to listen and be present for them. Be prepared if they don’t answer; they may not be ready to face everyone just yet. If they don’t respond, leave an encouraging voicemail without expecting that they call you back.
09. Mail them a handwritten note
I had an aunt that lived outside the country, and she would mail me letters and carefully written cards that made me feel so happy every time! There is something about snail mail that makes it extra special. Getting an encouraging note from you in the mail will mean everything to your friends that had to postpone their wedding.
10. Share accurate resources from a wedding expert
Storytime! I have a new couple celebrating their postponed wedding in Spring 2022. They were navigating through all the wedding planning all on their own, and as if that wasn’t overwhelming enough, Covid-19 happened and their wedding venue canceled on them. They were utterly heartbroken and had no idea what were the next steps. The matron of honor, who’s also the bride’s sister, was the one who contacted me, shared my Wedding Planning Tips on Instagram, and coordinated a conference call between all of us. She offered them my services for Partial Wedding Planner as a wedding gift, and I helped them with the postponing process free of charge! Not everyone will have the resources to pay for planning services, but there is lots of free good content from experts in the wedding industry that can help your friends out. Sharing a blog post or a video with wedding postponing information from real professionals can benefit the couple. If you’re interested, I explain three things you should do if you’re thinking about postponing your wedding here!
Thank you for taking the time to read this resource on supporting couples who had to postpone their wedding due to Covid-19. I hope this helps us become more empathic, understanding, and better people towards those we love. Please, feel free to share this resource with others who know couples that are facing the difficult decision to postpone their wedding.
Here for you,
Karisha
Graphic Illustrations by Karisha Marie with Canva