Pandemic forcing some couples to rearrange wedding plans

Dexter Brown and Penny Robinson. Photo courtesy Robinson

Wedding bells are typically ringing profoundly during this time of the year. However, as we now know, 2020 has been remarkably unusual due to the deadly spread of COVID-19.

Many couples have had to adjust their wedding dates along with their lifestyles to remain safe during this pandemic. Local newlyweds Ty Brown and Trey Cloud were originally expected to tie the knot in December of 2020.

“Carrying a baby while being stuck at home for months has strengthened our relationship. The quality time we have spent together has really helped us to focus on each other and determine an official date for our future wedding day,” Brown said.

According to the Real Wedding Study, 78 percent of all weddings take place between May and October.

The late summer and early fall are the most popular seasons of the year for matrimony. A soon to be bride, Penny Robinson, was scheduled to join forces with her partner Dexter Brown during the peak period in late August.

“Our venues and vendors began to cancel on us due to there being a ban on large gatherings in Washington state. Instead, we are now saving money and have decided to elope to Hawaii,” Robinson said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warned the public back in March about taking extreme health precautions and canceling mass gatherings. Governor DeSantis later utilized his authority by banning groups larger than 10 people due to the severity of the virus.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, event organizers should have screening measures to prevent people who have been exposed to the virus from entering events.

Wedding ceremonies have been tremendously reduced, postponed or downsized with the new restrictions and policies put into place. There is absolutely no way to calculate if this alteration will shift back to normal by next year.

“COVID-19 is most likely not going to end anytime soon. Instead of risking it all trying to invite your friends and family, we must re-strategize. Elope with your lover and plan a reception for a later date,”  Robinson said.

This allows a couple to combine their wedding and their honeymoon, and probably will save them and their familiar considerable money. It’s called turning a negative into a positive.