Opinions for Fall Reception Postponement

I think it would be totally fine either way. If you wait til 2021 you could even do a “vow renewal” at the same time. People will understand given the current situation. Do whatever makes you happy!

It will be considered a Vow Renewal at that point. However Im hoping by Nov that's not the case. I will say give it till Sept to make that decision if you want.

Not tacky at all, in fact a lot of couples are doing this in light of the circumstances

First of all, I LOVE your plans and really wish we had gone that route. We thought about having a small wedding and a big party after, but didn't have a space to do so. By the time we priced out what it would cost to have our party it just made more sense to make it the actual wedding, and now I feel like Covid-19 has ruined it all. We spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars and poured an immeasurable amount of emotion into planning a spectacular, yet still somewhat small (only 60-80 people) event and now I feel like we've throw away money, can't get married, and I'm non-stop stressed and crying most of the time.

Honestly, if you are marrying your guy (the important part) beforehand and the decision about your party doesn't change when that happens, I'd probably err on the side of being super safe and doing it in 2021, when hopefully things are WAY more under control. I feel like there is so much uncertainty right now that even if things do improve, unless there is a vaccine available, there will be some lingering fear of "what if the virus bounces back" and people may not feel as free to party and celebrate. I think by Nov 2021 we will have had a full year of "how do we manage life in a Covid-19 world" and guests will feel more at ease and normal celebrating.

PLEASE post photos of your amazing sounding Yosemite (or other local) micro wedding!

What an incredible idea!

If it helps, we just postponed our wedding today from August to next June. We will still be getting legally married this summer with a small, intimate dinner sometime after but given the times we are in, that's what we want. Also, no matter what you do, 2020 or 2021, it will be just that, your WEDDING. It doesn't have to be categorized as a vow renewal (ours will not be) or anything other than what you want because it is still YOUR day. I felt such a sense of relief after we postponed and I don't think couples will be able to have the weddings of their dreams for 2020 without strict regulations and an influx of new cases. Good luck!

Hi Emily! Nothing is "normal" or "weird" right now!! If you feel more comfortable and confident about a 2021 wedding date then you should definitely do that - no one will mind the delayed celebration! It can still be a "celebration of marriage" or a vow renewal, anniversary party, "We Said I Do But Still Want To Party With You" - whatever you want! Here's another community discussion you should check out where other brides have been wondering about the same questions: Etiquette in the time of coronavirus?

Are there other available dates in 2021 that you'd prefer? I kind of like the idea of postponing a year - both to buy you lots of time and to celebrate your first year together!

Totally makes sense! I'm a September bride who is announcing to her guests today that we'll be postponing to the same weekend next year. We'd originally thought we'd do the smaller ceremony this year and really party party next year but ultimately decided to just wait to do everything next year given our perceived difference in feel. Either decision is totally fine! No need to think anything is tacky or weird during such a chaotic, ever-changing time!

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I'm so so so sorry your ceremony didn't go as planned! My heart goes out to you. It all stinks. My fiance and I have been together for almost 10 years now and engaged for 2. We've waited long enough and then they year we do plan it. a global pandemic happens??? I'm trying to be positive and count my blessings. It seems superficial to mourn a wedding right now, but we both have a right to be bummed. I hope everything goes right for you when/if you plan a Round 2!

Thank you for your feedback. I think I'm leaning towards 2021 right now. And I'll definitely be posting pictures!

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Thank you for linking that forum! It makes me feel less alone. If we have our 2021 "Celebration of Marriage" I would like to have it earlier in the year. But our venue is offering the same saved dates for all 2020 dates so it looks like most of these dates may be taken. I'm not trying to be too picky. I'm just happy they were flexible.

I think that's such a smart plan. We are probably going to have something similar now after having to postpone our original wedding ceremony and reception, but not in a location as awesome as Yosemite. So now it's a ceremony at the courthouse and pictures in the park with a celebration of our marriage later this year or in 2021 once things have calmed down

Some experts are saying there could be a second wave in the fall. That's why we're even thinking our celebration might have to be in 2021 now, when we originally thought we could do it in autumn. So I understand your predicament having to decide. It might be safer to postpone until 2021, since by then there either could be a vaccine or herd immunity could be in effect.

Even if it's one year later I think that what used to be traditional and expected for weddings is going to go out the window for at least the next couple years because so many of us were impacted this year.

And I second the request for pictures!

I've seen a lot of people doing celebrations one year later and I think it's really a good idea! If it makes you happy, go for it!

Hello,

That sounds like a really good idea. I too have my wedding in October and fiance and i decided to get married through court w.my fam and his present. Vendors have been really helpful through all of it as well. We have no new date yet for 2021 but we are looking into April 2021. Hope everyhing works out for your both.

Hi Emily,

We are almost date twins - ours is Oct. 2, 2020. I love your idea and might consider something similar for our backup plan if this fall doesn't pan out how we want it to - small ceremony this year, big party sometime in the distant future. I don't have a videographer lined up right now, but if we end up having a smaller guest list for our ceremony, I'll be inclined to hire a videographer to capture our special moments, which we can share with the rest of our friends and family at a later date. I especially want this for our grandparents, who I would love to be there but don't want to put them at risk without a vaccine in sight.

Best wishes to you!