Upcoming weddings in Italy / Coronavirus

We're just worried in general about the progression of the virus and whether people will want to come (wedding in May in Virginia), whether the venue will cancel because they don't want a large group, etc. We purchased wedding insurance anyway before this all happened. I would call the venue and check, this might be a special circumstance where they can reschedule/refund. See if wedding insurance covers this and purchase it if it does. We are going through with planning, as the situation is unpredictable but noting when payments are due and tracking the progression of the virus.

Thanks! Still looking for an insurance company that covers Italy and, realistically, not sure if anyone would insure a wedding in that region at the moment (but if anyone knows any insurers that do cover Italy, please share!). Also worried about guests bailing even if the travel ban is lifted due to concerns over being quarantined when trying to return to the US which, frankly, we're also concerned about! Our planner has said in the worst case our vendors will likely accommodate us postponing to a new date but that all depends on availability. Pretty much a waiting game at the moment. I figure we'll need to make a final call by the end of April before our next major venue payment comes due.

Is this an elopement or are guests invited? I personally wouldn’t risk Italy right now. I was less concerned until I got an email from my doctors office yesterday saying if I’ve been to Italy in the last two weeks I would need to reschedule my appointment. I think things are going to escalate a bit before they get better unfortunately and I know quite a few people who have cancelled Italy vacations this spring and summer.

So, my husband covers Italian soccer as one of his jobs. RIGHT NOW, they have been cancelling games and that's ... a huge deal in Italy.

HOWEVER, they are indicating that many games will be played later this week, which means they are feeling confident that they can lift a lot of the restrictions. May should be very warm, which should help slow the spread of the virus. Also, Italy is on top of this NOW, so you are likely to be ok...

Still, since it is spreading in the US, I would monitor the situation closely, and keep lines of communication open (with your family and to your coordinators).

View Quoted Comment So helpful to know and have insight on the ground!!! Thank you !

Hi Kathryn,

Sorry you are having to think about this with an upcoming wedding, I am in a VERY similar situation. Our wedding is May 2nd right outside of Florence. Now within the 2 month mark we are scrambling. While Tuscany is still only a level 3 travel restriction, most of our guests would not be allowed to return to work after the wedding. Our guest have been incredibly supportive and most have expressed that they will travel if able, but we aren't sure that's fair to people. I have been calling insurance companies all day with no luck for coverage in Italy, also, since this is now everywhere, claims likely won't be processed. This was so unpredictable and I frankly don't know what to do. Would love to keep in touch if you are interested as we navigate what to do! Best of luck

View Quoted Comment I’m so sorry to hear you’re in a similar situation! Would love to keep in touch! I’m with you on not being sure whether asking people to travel is fair. Most airlines aren’t offering waivers for May yet so even if I wanted to proactively cancel/postpone most guests wouldn’t get reimbursed for their flights if the situation has improved by the time of travel. Best of luck and hang in there, I know how frustrating it is to just sit and watch it all happen! Keep me posted

View Quoted Comment And I take back nearly all of that.


DH just informed me that games for tomorrow are canceled.
Italian government mulling banning all large gatherings for 30 days.
Call your venue!

View Quoted Comment Deborah, does your insurance company cover corona? If it does, which one did you use?

View Quoted Comment I don’t know. I used markel.

I’m supposed to be getting married in Bellagio in June. I am completely devastated at the idea that we might have to cancel our dream wedding, and cobble together an alternative in no time at all. I’ve been engaged for 2 years so there’s no way I will agree to postponing another year.


My fiancé is being more optimistic and wants to wait until early April before making any rash decisions, so we are stuck in purgatory until then 😭
I am finding it very hard to continue with our plans as normal until we know otherwise, this is supposed to be the homestretch and the most exciting time and it’s just been completely ruined.

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I'm sorry you're dealing with this! I know the feeling, it really is so difficult to stay excited and optimistic. We were set to go on May 30 in Varenna and have just postponed until September. Our vendors and venue were all very accommodating in moving the date and honoring deposits, so maybe it's worthwhile to see if that is an option for you? At least to see what plan B might look like while still getting to keep the wedding and only postponing a couple months?!

View Quoted Comment It’s just awful isn’t it - I keep trying to gain perspective and I know there are worse things happening in the world, but it’s all relative.


I think postponing a few months would be ok with our vendors but the main issue for us is that all of our guests have booked their flights and accommodation already. So unless the airlines cancel the flights then it will be our guests who are out of pocket - and if that happened I just would not feel right asking them to fork out again for later in the year.
I’m assuming you’re in US? Here in London the travel restrictions aren’t so clear cut - the flights are only cancelled due to the lockdown imposed by Italy so the choice to cancel anything booked past April is entirely down to the traveller (and then at their own cost).
How is your fiancé dealing with it? I’m definitely the one taking it the hardest! He is trying so hard to stay positive and cheer me up, but part of me would feel better if he just had a little breakdown with me! Lol.

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Ah yes, we're based in the US! Waivers for airlines are more widely available at the moment and AirBnB has also been extremely flexible, which has been really helpful. It was also just pure luck that we were having a very small wedding (41) and around half hadn't even booked flights yet. Causing them to be out of pocket for expenses was our main concern too - but most employers here are requiring 14 day self isolation after travel to Italy, so we were starting to hear that a lot of people might have to back out anyway, especially those who work in industries where you have to be physically present and remote work isn't possible. Two weeks unpaid is a much bigger expense for them!

My fiancé has also been stressed but I am definitely bearing the brunt. When we decided to postpone he was immediately relieved but I still felt extremely anxious about communicating the new date to everyone (which is a Wednesday, so it's certainly not ideal), worrying that regardless of current flexibility people would be losing money, stressed about those who won't be able to make the new date, scared we're losing the 'excitement' momentum (which is ridiculous, I know, given what this virus is doing worldwide), and all this stuff! I've had many mini meltdowns over the last few weeks! Hang in there, I hope everything abruptly calms down for you or that, at least, travel restrictions work in your favor as you get closer so it's not an expense to anyone if you do postpone!

View Quoted Comment I’m so pleased for you that you’ve been able to postpone - it’s gutting but at least you don’t have to spend the next 2 months sick with worry. And you get to enjoy the anticipation a little bit longer - the excitement momentum will definitely soon return!!


We are very lucky over here with paid sick leave and lots of holiday being a standard so at least we haven’t had that to contend with. Keeping everything crossed and watching the news every day (although sure that does more harm than good most of the time 😝).
Thanks - I better after speaking to someone in the same boat.
Wishing you a perfect wedding day in Varenna 😘

View Quoted Comment I am so sorry to hear this. We are in the same boat too - wedding 30th May in Tuscany and having to wait until April. I really don’t want to settle for a wedding we don’t want and also don’t want to postpone another year. It’s all so stressful. I’ve put things on hold because I can’t get excited anymore

View Quoted Comment So sorry to hear that! I know *exactly* how you’re feeling - it’s just impossible to continue planning as normal and feeling excited when at the last minute we might have to cancel or change our plans. Like you, I really don’t want to postpone but I also don’t want to plan a substitute wedding!


What I’m also finding very hard to deal with are all the questions from our guests! I understand they are as uncertain and anxious as we are, but I’m sure if I was the guest I would probably do my own research rather than hound the bride and groom, during what must be the most stressful time?
Have you addressed it with yours? I’m thinking of sending a blanket email to everyone, acknowledging it so we can bide some time until early April when we really have to make a decision.

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Feel for you both!! That's exactly how I felt - all I wanted was a small, stress-free wedding and look what we got!

Most of my guests were too afraid to reach out I think! We did send an email to everyone letting them know we were (obviously) aware and monitoring the situation. We passed along positive info from our planner about the actual state of things outside the "red zones" (at that time), and told them when we'd expect to have to make a call. Also let them know that we were holding out until we had as much information as possible so that if we had to make the tough decision to postpone or cancel, it would be in everyone's best interest and they would have the best shot at being reimbursed.

View Quoted Comment It’s literally like being in a nightmare. It’s the sort of panic wedding dream you have and when you wake up laugh about, apart from it’s real!


I think that the only thing we can do is wait until April. If we postpone now then it could be ok and we would have postponed for no reason, but also guests will lose flights. We’re driving out so haven’t actually booked our travel yet but it’s all really stressful.
We sent a blanket message out to our guests on Sunday basically saying that, as far as we are concerned, the wedding is still going ahead and that we were keeping an eye on info from the FO & WHO and if anything changes we’d let them know. Obviously that was before the entire country went into lockdown 🤦🏼‍♀️ We haven’t had any messages since apart from reassuring ones from guests saying hopefully it will be ok by then. It’s just the uncertainty!
Have you had a lot of messages? Have you got wedding planners? It’s really rubbish.

View Quoted Comment Oh are you UK based too?! (You mention driving out)


We don’t have any wedding planners, I’ve done it all myself. Which has been great seeing as I’m the biggest micromanager you’ll ever meet!
We’ve had quite a lot of messages from people - mainly family - with very unhelpful and unsolicited advice, like my dad, who said that if I used a credit to pay for most things I will have a good chance of getting back if we cancel...!!! Our friends have all been very reassuring and positive it’ll all be ok by the time June comes.
You’re right, all we can do is wait until April. I personally think the lockdown will be extended until end of April, which could be a good thing because will ensure there isn’t a delayed outbreak forcing them to lockdown all summer..?!
It’s a real-life nightmare, keeping everything crossed for us all that we make it through and can laugh about it on the day 💗