Reschedule or not?

I have a back up guest list of 50 people if Virginia, where I live, is not in their final phase of re-opening by September. I’m waiting until mid July when I need to send out my new invitations, as this is for our postponed date, to decide.


We only have 100 people on our guest list, so I hope that I don’t have to cut it in half, but I am prepared with my back up plan just in case. I will still have it at the venue with all of my vendors just with 50 people. I could have someone live stream the ceremony and first day at some stuff if that happens, but I have a videographer so maybe I would it? Just some thing for the people that couldn’t make it. Again this is just our back up plan, I’m hoping that by then it will not be in in a number of people.

It sounds like you have two options; cut your guest list or postpone the reception. If you don’t want to have a reception next year, then cut your guest list to meet the requirements.

I personally would cut the guest list and still hold the wedding. Postponing could create financial hardship for you. Many vendors are not willing to negotiate and even tacking on ridiculous fines to transfer the date to 2021. So if you can turn your wedding into an intimate wedding that is exactly what I would do.

View Quoted Comment We both have big families , so there may be an issue. We have a lot of think about.

View Quoted Comment Our guest list is around 250. We won’t be making any reception decisions until late July and we will see where we are at. Either way we will be getting married at our Church on October 10

With a guest list of 250, I would consider rescheduling (I know it's not what you want to hear, but if you want to have a normal as possible wedding day, there is a better chance you will get it in 2021 than 2020 at this point).

I rescheduled from 4/18/20 to 8/1/20, but it's looking like I'll have to reschedule again (my venue and I are meeting in June to discuss) because Ohio is allowing weddings of 300 or under, but there is no dancing, no cocktail hour, no hanging out by the bar, and no moving from your table to mingle (which is basically saying no reception besides eating and leaving). We're waiting until the end of June to see if the cases really spike or if the restrictions get reapplied or dismissed.

I hope your day is perfect no matter what you decide!

If pushing back the reception is not an option, then your only choice is cutting your guest list.

I'm sorry, but there's practically no way NY is going to allow gatherings of 250 people by October, with dancing, no masks, and no distancing. We just got hit way too hard, and will still be at risk for a second wave.

I know you don't want to celebrate a year later, but could you redefine it as an anniversary party/vow renewal?

Everyone would understand, this is a common problem.

I fe your pain. I was not planning on my wedding being ruined either. I do not have 250 people but we were to get married on 10/16 (our 5 year anniversary) in NY. I am thinking of postponing the reception as well.. its horrible to think this is life now. Its just that second wave that has me messed up as well. Good luck to you.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! We are waiting as long as we can to make a decision about the reception. Atleast I know we will be getting married on our date no matter what .

View Quoted Comment Wishful thinking that all will be ok. We are waiting as long as we can to make a decision about our reception. At least I know that we will be getting married on our date no matter what.

View Quoted Comment Cutting the guest list with the size of both of our families is unfortunately not an option.. so in the mean time we wait and see

View Quoted Comment I am wishful thinking for you as well. Praying everyone is happy and healthy by October.

Try and stay positive. I know its hard. LI is set to reopen into phase one tomorrow so by your date we should ideally be completely open again and nobody knows whats going to be restricted or not. I think we'll be in better shape then most think, and I dont think masks will be required at that time. Suggested, maybe, required- no. Its hard not to focus on all the "what if's" right now but in a few weeks we should know a lot more. Even Dr. Fauci said we need to reopen the country again and this is the guy whose telling everyone what to do! I had to take a break from this forum a couple times bc people were so negative on their outlook on our future. Many many lives were lost and we have now reached what we hope to be the end of this pandemic. Lets all try and remain optimistic towards the brides going through this right now and the future ahead. Sending positive thouhhts and well wishes your way

Hi Jeanette! I've seen a few other discussions from NY brides with Sept & Oct weddings, you should definitely connect with them:

(New York) October 2020 Brides — when will we say i do?

September brides- Ny!!

Long Island, Ny, September Bride during Covid19

I'm in the same boat girl! Our wedding is set for 10-08-20 and I have no idea what to do. We discussed not getting married on that day if we have to wear masks and cut the guest list but no one knows anything yet its frustrating!

I am also n Long Island and we actually received an email from our venue letting us know that they were not having wedding with more than 25 people on premise for the rest of the year. We were set to marry 10/03/2020. We had to set a new date for November 13th 2021.

View Quoted Comment Which venue ?

View Quoted Comment Cassidy Hill in Manorville

If this helps- im in mid hudson region. I was under the impression weddings were phase 3 but i was told by my venue regardless if its outdoor or indoor or what theyre all phase 4. since we are moving quickly between phases, each lasting 2 weeks, you can predict when LI will be in phase 4 if all goes well. way upstate ny will be in phase 4 before us so we’ll know the guidelines even before then. cuomo has not released any specific restrictions as of yet but my venue PREDICTS we will be at maybe 50% capacity (they are unsure whether or not this includes their staff but feel that it will) and optional masks. but again thats just a prediction.