When a wedding date is changed, it creates a ripple effect among all involved, from the couple, their guests and venues, florists, bakers, photographers, dress and tuxedo shops and other vendors.
For couples who had planned to tie the knot in March and April and their vendors, coronavirus shutdowns have become uncharted territory, with all parties left picking up the pieces. Some started to whittle down their guest list, before they were forced to cancel altogether. Plans for many began to unravel as the coronavirus spread and strengthened, first with Gov. Phil Murphy’s order on March 12 banning events of more than 250 people, followed with his March 16 order that all restaurants must shut down, except for take-out services. On March 21, was his final order prohibiting all social events, which per the order includes “all gatherings of individuals, such as parties, celebrations, or other social events.”
Through the eyes of the brides
For many brides, organizing their wedding day may have taken years of planning, plus a year or more in advance to book their special venue.
With the impact of the coronavirus and uncertainty of what may be around the corner, Sarah Schmidt and her fiance Jesse Kapuscinski of Sussex decided to postpone their May 8 wedding until further notice, announcing it on Facebook to family and friends on Monday. The couple, Schmidt said in a phone interview with the New Jersey Herald, had their honeymoon to Grenada booked, as well as their venue, The Hanover Manor in East Hanover, but did not want to risk the well-being of all their guests. Additionally, Sussex County Technical School students creating floral arrangements for the couple’s wedding, with Schmidt’s fiance a 2005 alumni of the school, are now unavailable to prepare their arrangements, Schmidt said.
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