Getting Married during Coronavirus

I'm sure you will all join me in agreeing we are now living in unprecedented times. I am still staggered by the events of this week and the many more possible months of disruption.

Although weddings happen all year round now, we are about to start gearing up for the busier time of year. Things are changing on a daily basis, so please do check for the current information. As things stand today, you might want to bear in mind the following when planning your wedding.

Essex County Council Update 25th, March 2020

Weddings at Cressing Temple Barns and the Essex Record Office are suspended until the end of June at the earliest.

If you have a ceremony due in the next four weeks, their registration team will be in contact with you as a priority. Further calls are being prioritised in date order.

Venues

The government yesterday shut down all bars, pubs, gyms and similar public places. I have seen many venues also close their doors. Where venues are still open, I’ve also heard rumour that Registrars will stop operating very soon too.

Church of England

The church has reduced the number of people at a wedding to just five – the vicar, bride and groom, and two witnesses. This doesn’t even allow for two sets of parents, bridesmaids, best man or the photographer.  

Wedding photographer Tilbury

Wedding Dresses

A huge amount of dresses come from China, and whilst they appear to be over the worst there, you need to plan for extra delays in getting your dress.

Wedding photographer for the Old Rectory, Bulphan

Insurance

Most insurance companies have now stopped selling cover for weddings, but if you took a policy about before this all started, check to see if you have cover.

Photographers

Whilst wedding photographers are a competitive bunch, we would never see a wedding couple be let down on their wedding day. We have Facebook groups and communities where we can call on a replacement photographer should your one become ill, and I have already seen several this week that have stepped up very short notice and photographed weddings.

Postponement

Many wedding couples are understandably very anxious about whether their day is going ahead. Sadly many of you will need to postpone to a later date. Many suppliers are being very supportive and are happy to transfer across to a new date. Many of your suppliers are small businesses though, so please consult fully with them on any new dates.

Small Businesses

Small businesses are really suffering, so if you see a restaurant post to say they are having to close, make sure you not only react to their posts, but also like their pages to give them support.

Social Distancing

During social distancing I have moved all my wedding consultations to online meetings. You can book one at Book Here.

Get my Wedding Day Top Tips at Wedding Day Top Tips

I have found an excellent blog on Guides for Brides which is being regularly updated. You can find it at Guides for Brides Blog.

I know planning a wedding at this time might be the least of the general public’s worry, and I am truly sorry if you have lost someone to this terrible illness. Stay safe and well.