Anything special for guests who had to elope due to Covid?

I don't know if I'd really do much of anything at the wedding itself. Plenty of couples have opted to still have the big shebang after getting Covid married if they wanted to. I just feel like it would be awkward to integrate, like "....sorry your wedding didn't turn out as planned" when at your big wedding may come off the wrong way.

View Quoted Comment I totally agree that it could come off the wrong way. But I also feel insensitive not acknowledging it at all though. Like asking for advice or going over wedding plans knowing they had to scrap theirs. Probably helpful to know that 3 of my BM had to cancel their weddings to elope, one in her living room over Zoom.

I agree with Hannah. I was happy with my downsized elopement and would find it odd to bring attention to it as if it weren’t a real wedding. If they wanted to have their big weddings they could have waited.

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Great to hear from someone who experienced a 2020 wedding. I'm glad you loved your experience! That is very true that if they really wanted their original plans then they could have waited..

As someone who had to have a covid wedding, a heartfelt card and a cash gift or small edible gift goes a long way. It's nice to have someone thinking of you.


Don't acknowledge it at your wedding, that is awkward and unsolicited pitying

Don't do anything. While I think your heart is in the right place, I think doing something at your wedding will just be an unwelcome reminder of their change of plans.

It's very sweet you want to do something, however, I agree with others that it could come off condescending. Giving them a lovely gift would be great. If they want to have a bigger celebration, they can definitely plan for one as a vow renewal.

I'd just feel kinda sad if you acknowledged my cancelled wedding at yours.

Also, maybe don't ask them for a bunch of advice and such - you definitely don't have to bounce ideas off your wedding party in order to make decisions. Ask advice on the forum, ask your SO to collaborate, and try not to involve your friends. That would make me pretty bummed, too.

This is so sweet! I am a Covid bride who eloped (loved my little ceremony!) and think you could discreetly ask your photographer to get some shots of the newlyweds and have them framed for them. They might not have been able to have professional pictures taken and this would be a lovely gesture.

I think you could celebrate it without drawing attention to "sorry you didn't have the wedding of your dreams."

I worked a wedding for a friend, in which my husband was a groomsman. (I was filming.) During the anniversary dance, they surprised us by having the DJ work into his usual "if you've been married for less than 1 year, 5 years," thing, by calling out our specific "if you've been married for less than eight years, four months, two weeks and three days, please take a seat." It was funny and cute, and of course we were the only people who left the dance floor at that specific time, so guests knew who it was.

Just a thought. This celebrates their marriages uniquely without being condescending, in my opinion.

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That's such a sweet idea! And discreet which is exactly what I was thinking.