Wedding cancelled over Covid-19? Here’s how other Cork couples are coping
“It’s not the end of the world.”
That’s the optimistic attitude of most soon-to-be-married Cork couples we spoke to this week, as Covid-19 travel restrictions, hotel closures and social distancing measures call a swift halt to spring wedding season 2020.
Popular wedding venues such as Castlemartyr Resort, Springfort Hall, Vienna Woods, Longueville and Ballyvolane House, along with others across the country, are all closed until further notice, sending brides and grooms scrambling to get in touch with suppliers about postponing their celebrations.
“I’m really disappointed but once we made the decision to postpone it felt like a weight was lifted,” Cork bride-to-be Claire told Yay Cork.
“Push it back until 2021 has been the advice we got,” said Neasa, who cancelled her hen party in Galway last week. “Not ideal but definitely not the end of the world.”
Others were left in limbo regarding weddings scheduled for later in spring: “It hasn’t been stalled yet,” Cork bride Susan told us, “It’s happening in May but we’re so unsure. Devastated.”
Suppliers row in to put plans on ice
With all plans up in the air for now, wedding stationery, cake and suit suppliers have been working with clients to put current plans on the shelf until the way forward becomes clear.
We are now on top of all enquiries regarding current wedding stationery orders. Many have been postponed and, while it’s not much we know, you can count on us to update and send everything you need when your big day eventually goes ahead ❤️ #COVID19 #WeAreAllInThisTogether
— Cool&Co. (@coolandco) March 20, 2020
Wedding planners have been compiling lists of all available dates later in the year in case upcoming arrangements are cancelled.
Meanwhile, YouTuber and author Melanie Murphy decided to go ahead and get wed to pilot Thomas O’Rourke, albeit in a private ceremony with just two guests and an officiant.
Posting on Instagram, the social media star, who is expecting her first child, said: “This isn’t my actual wedding dress and this wasn’t our big, planned wedding day – in our perfect venue with all of our dear friends and family…the one I’ve lived out in my head a thousand times as we planned away – *but* this man, folks, is now officially my husband!”
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Take it from Franc – ‘Everybody wants the best for you’
Wedding planner Peter Kelly of Weddings by Franc advised brides-to-be who have already ordered their dress to make contact with their supplier. If your wedding is later this year and may still go ahead, there are some other options:
“Keep in contact with your bridal store as the majority of bridal wear is manufactured in China,” he advised. “If you have not yet chosen a wedding dress and your wedding is really soon, off-the-rail is a really good choice. My tip is to buy a dress that fits really well or buy a dress a size up and have it altered. Both of these options are great, as you then know you have your dress in the country.”
“Couples need to remember everybody from family to friends to properties want the best for them in these difficult times.”
