You’ve been planning and preparing every tiny detail for months, leading to your perfect day. Then, suddenly, it’s no longer happening. Coronavirus has snatched away many couples’ dream wedding day, forcing them to postpone or cancel. The unfortunate necessity of this decision does not make it any less heartbreaking. Depending how soon your wedding was to occur, your old wedding date might sneak up on you quite quickly. So, we want to help make it feel that little bit better.
We can’t change what has happened, but we can try to help you find ways of turning the negative into a positive. Remember, your dream wedding will still happen! Until then, why not celebrate your old wedding date when it arrives, instead of letting it get you both down? Make it into a celebration of your relationship, with the help of some romantic suggestions from us!
So, pop open some bubbly and toast to what would have been, alongside some fun ideas laid out below.
Dress for the Occasion
While isolation has led many of us to permanently wear lounge wear rather than actual clothing, your old wedding date might be the perfect excuse to dress up a little. Now, this doesn’t mean putting on your wedding dress! Your favourite date night outfit would be perfect, something where you are putting in a little bit more effort to mark the date, but not too much!
Have a Romantic Meal
It might not be a catered, three-course feast but cooking a meal together can be an excellent part of your celebration. You might decide to try something new and extravagant or a tried and tested favourite (depending on what you’ve found in the shops!). You could even order in a takeaway! Whatever you fancy, whether it's pizza and fizz in bed or a beautifully cooked meal at your dining room table; pick a meal that both of you feel would mark the occasion appropriately. It’s however you wish to celebrate your relationship after all!
Favourite Films or TV Shows
Who doesn’t love a movie night? Like the rest of us, I’m sure you’ve been binge-watching a lot of films and television. But, this date is a time for those all-time favourites that you both love! Perhaps you went to see a film on one of your first dates? Or had a similar childhood obsession with space or superheroes? Whatever it is, comforting classics are perfect at a time like this, especially if they are ones that mean something to the both of you.
Play Games - Board and Video!
Another activity that many of us are taking advantage of right now! Like watching films and tv, you can make this extra special by choosing something that you both enjoy hugely. Whether you are an analog or digital couple, games can be a welcome distraction as well as a fun activity to do together.
A Magical Setting
It’s a lot easier to create a magical, romantic celebration in your home than you might think. Nothing a few fairy lights can’t fix! Pair these with some bunting or balloons and you’ll soon feel in the mood for a celebration. Upgrade your meal into a cosy indoor picnic or sophisticated candlelit dinner surrounded by your homemade decor and the day will soon feel special.
Reach out to Family and Friends
Your old wedding date wasn’t just something you were both looking forward to; your close family and wedding party were undoubtedly counting down the days with you and perhaps just as involved with planning and preparation! So, why not use this date as the perfect excuse to reach out to your family and friends for some quality time? Do a virtual pub quiz with your wedding party or simply have a catch up with your parents. Including all your loved ones on a date which should have been a celebration of love is important.
With the governments across the UK now allowing some socially distanced, outdoor meet-ups, why not invite a few friends and family over for a barbeque or a boozy outdoor picnic?
Have Fun Making a Silly Video!
One couple have done this brilliantly, Colette and Ian were looking forward to their wedding day at Oldwalls Gower on the 10th April 2020. Due to current circumstances, the wedding had to be postponed! They marked their original wedding date by making a wonderful music video. It looks like they must have had an amazing day making it. You can see it below and get inspired...
Have a Mini Ceremony!
While you can't get married legally in lockdown, you can still have a celebration on your original wedding date. Celebrants are hosting commitment ceremonies via Zoom with couples and their nearest and dearest on what would have been their wedding day. You can celebrate your love and say your vows, even if for now you are promising to marry them properly at a later date.
A symbolic virtual ceremony can also be personalised. You can create your very own background and play appropriate music. Thanks to Earcandy, here are downloadable links of some wedding classics that you can use for your virtual ceremony, entirely royalty-free!
Air On A G String - Earcandy Strings
The Wedding March - Earcandy Strings
Claire De Lune - Earcandy Strings
Four Seasons - Earcandy Strings
Soul Sister - Earcandy Strings
Take a look at the video below for an example of how a Zoom ceremony can work. We loved this moment in the commitment ceremony between Hazel and Dan, which was hosted by White Rose Ceremonies.
Pamper Session
You might not want to mark the date as a celebration; it might be too difficult. So, why not do the opposite? Create an at-home spa day for you and your partner. Facial, massages, meditation and calming music are the perfect way to take your mind off the date!
Retail Therapy
With shops beginning to open, why not go for a bit of retail therapy? Some of the smaller businesses will need your support, but make sure you are safe and socially distancing from those who aren't in your household. You could buy each other something small and sentimental or something ridiculous to make each other laugh. Many cafes and restaurants have been open for takeaways too, so you could turn the day into more by having a picnic or grabbing your favourite takeaway for dinner on your journey home.
Give an Early Wedding Gift
Why not mark the occasion with a small gift exchange. Whether you purchase something that you and your partner can both look forward to or go for something smaller like jewellery or fancy chocolates. Exchanging a gift for each other can be a really romantic and thoughtful thing.
If you want to go for something a little out of the box, why not consider a Boudoir photoshoot? It's a really fun experience that will make you feel a million dollars and a great gift for your partner!
However, you choose to mark it, know that your old wedding date shouldn’t be something to haunt you. Your dream wedding can still take place in the future and for now, you have each other and plenty of time to start planning for the new wedding date!