We did it again.
What is this the fourth time? I didn’t plan on posting about it again but with all the questions about our plans, I felt as if I needed to get it out there. Planning a wedding or any kind of big day during a pandemic feels almost impossible. We didn’t think we’d face anything like this last year at this time. Even over the summer, things looked like they were looking up. And now with cases skyrocketing, things aren’t looking too promising, and it’s a bit nerve-wracking.
With all the uncertainty, we have decided not to move forward with an elopement in Italy. Not that surprising with the state of the world right now. With the amount of trip planning and money put into going overseas, it was in our best interest to keep our ceremony local and then fly to Italy for our honeymoon. And you know what? I’m looking forward to our new plans. We have a wedding coordinator that is taking care of absolutely everything so I don’t have to stress over anything. Of course, I’ll be doing some special DIY projects and personal touches, but all the important stuff is taken care of. We have kept the June date, but this time our close family will be there as well. This will be the first time our family will be together and it’s such an exciting time.
When we made plans to elope in Italy, we felt so overwhelmed with planning anything in the U.S. during the peak of Covid. We didn’t want to put down a deposit and then lose it when restrictions were placed. I feel awful with all the couples who have lost their time and money planning their big days. And with cases spiking back up, Italy was out. Who would have thought we’d still be uncertain about this pandemic?
A few things about our changes. We will be getting married local, with family, and it’ll be so sweet and intimate. I’m looking forward to this day more than anything now. I know it’ll mean a lot more with having our family there, and I won’t have to look back and wonder what it would have been like to celebrate the day with family. Does that make sense?
I won’t disclose a lot before our wedding because I want it all to be a surprise when our photographer captures the big day! I can’t wait to share it all with you then.
If you are a bride or groom going through the same thing this year, my heart goes out to you. It’s an emotional rollercoaster to get excited about something and have it fall through. I hope you all find peace with a plan that fits your dreams as well as comfort level with everything going on in the world.
I know this is a short little blog, but I’ve had a lot of questions recently about us going to Italy and the plans! We will still be going to Italy, but only when it’s safe 😊
Questions for you
- What are some big plans you had to change this year?
Jennifer says
I 100% understand! We changed our plans probably 3 times. I always wanted to go to Sunset Beach, NC to get married, and that was always our plan until I got engaged during the pandemic lol
Then, we decided to do a small ceremony in MN, with 60ish people December 5th. Well, the wedding planner was deathly afraid of covid and was making me uneasy about trusting her, so we nixed those plans, and have decided to go to the beach!
I feel comfortable flying, and it will mainly be immediate family with the exception of a couple people. I’m just so excited that we can do this since it’s always been our dream! 18 days 😏
Taralynn McNitt says
Girl, your day is going to be so so so magical!!!!!! I’m glad you went with your gut!!
Kristen says
I’m so happy for you! I can’t wait to be surprised by the beautiful pictures!
I graduated from Grad school in May after 3 long years of working full time, class, and interning. I wasn’t able to have the ceremony or celebration I really wanted 😔
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you, Kristen ♥️
Congrats on graduating and hopefully you’ll be able to have a dream celebration soon! ♥️
kelsey k says
We got married this year. Original date was in June, around March we were supposed to do our taste testing and meet vendors. Of course that was all cancelled. The resort tried to tell me that they would be fully open in June and not to cancel or move our date. Only opening for 2020 was a date in September. We blind booked it.
Due to COVID, i had to find all new vendors for the new September date (from over 1200 miles away). Booked everyone blind and just let what was going to happen happen.
We were lucky to be able to get married in September, before everything started shutting back down.
10/10 do not recommend wedding planning in a pandemic. lol
I feel your frustration/worry. It’s a lot both mentally & financially to do all this with everything being so uncertain.
Taralynn McNitt says
Oh, girl! So sorry you went through all of that! 😞 So frustrating! I’m happy to hear that you did have your special day and congrats on getting married! ♥️
Leece says
I actually got married in October after having to changes all plans to make it COVID Friendly. (Think original plan 150 people in December in New England inside to 23 people outside in Virginia in October, masks on at an Airbnb and renting the outside of a restaurant)
We are also delaying our honeymoon.
Despite nothing turning out the way it was supposed to be – it still ended up being a fun day with only the most important people there and was much more laid back than the original plans which were more our style to begin with.
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Leece!
I bet your day was gorgeous! ♥️ Congrats!!
Sarah says
Oh girl, we went through the same thing. Cancelled Hawaii wedding, being stuck in the unknown / endless planning process, and then decided on a 2 person elopement! It was so special, unique, magical, and intimate. I know it will be just as special for you!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you for sharing that, Sarah!
I bet your elopement was stunning and I hope you make it to Hawaii soon!
Michaela says
We have planned our wedding day six times already because of the pandemic 😞
Taralynn McNitt says
So so so sorry to hear that!
Jessie says
I am happy you will have your family there . I can not wait to see the pictures I know you will have a beautiful wedding .
Good Luck
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Jessie ♥️
Dea says
It was be beautiful and will mean so much to all who share in your day! Very excited for you both!!
Taralynn McNitt says
♥️ ♥️ ♥️ Thanks, DiDi!
Katie says
Same! We were supposed to get married last April and pushed it out to next April…and looks like that is unlikely so now we are planning an immediate family only wedding when we are home for Christmas.
Taralynn McNitt says
I bet your new plans are going to be magical 💜
Abby King says
If you don’t have a videographer yet I would come film your intimate wedding ! My company little Kings media launched this year , which as you’ve seen has been a tough year. I am a female Christian filmmaker living in PA seeking to serve others in a joyful manor.
If you are interested let me know. It would be such a privilege to film your wedding! I’ve been following you since I was in highschool over 10 years ago! You helped me (and my twin) a lot through the eating disorder stuff.
Claudia Russo says
I’m a reader from Italy… I wouldn’t plan on coming here anytime before next September. Things change from one week to the next. A wedding here, now, or in a few months, would have been impossible.
Taralynn McNitt says
Yup! That is why we had to change plans again ♥️
Sarah Lightfoot says
Hi Taralynn,
I know how you feel. I got engaged last November and never even imagined that we all would be going through a pandemic. I thought planning my wedding would be just as normal and exciting as everyone else’s is. We planned an August wedding and once the pandemic hit, we thought about changing our date, but of course thought that by August everything would be calmed down and even over with, haha. Once it became May we considered pushing the date back. But I knew that even if it was just me and my fiancé there, that was all I needed. So we decided to stay with our original date.
June/July was looking better and we have a family property in Tahoe we were getting married at. It was outside with plenty of room to space out. So we had 100 people coming (still going to be cautious with spacing and masks). However Placer County changed regulations shortly before the wedding and we were told we couldn’t gather with that many people, even outside. So one of the hardest things I had to do was cut my guest list (which was already smaller than I wanted) from 100 to no more than 50 (ended up being 40 people). I was very upset that a lot of my family members couldn’t be there to watch and be with us on this special day. But at the end of the day, I felt lucky that I could have my parents and closest people to me, and most importantly the person I loved. In the end, the only thing that matters is the two of you. I wish you the best wedding day, and know no matter what, it will be beautiful.
Sarah says
Intimate weddings are so wonderful! We ended up changing out wedding date twice this year and then still felt we needed to downsize. We ended up getting married with our immediate family and our bridal party (34 people) and it was absolutely wonderful. So stressful trying to plan a wedding during a pandemic, that’s for sure! But I kind of feel like no matter what happens, it’s still one of the best days of your life. Enjoy your day! And know that you’re not alone when it comes to crazy pandemic wedding planning.
Kate Hamlin says
I was originally scheduled to get married in October but we pushed our wedding out to April 2021. Now we are having to make the decision to make it small or go forward as planned knowing that a vaccine most likely won’t be available to everyone by April 10. It has been very stressful to say the least!