Across the country, brides-to-be have had to cancel, postpone or downscale wedding celebrations out of coronavirus safety precautions and stay-at-home orders. In some cases, turning online to express grief and support is what felt necessary to
grapple with a new way to celebrate a rite of passage in the age of COVID-19. When Brittany Beckmann couldn't find a Facebook group for brides-to-be struggling with changing plans, she created one herself.
"I have pictured what my wedding day would be like for a while — you know, you have this vision — and every bride in that group, their wedding is going to be changed in some way," Beckmann, 30, told NBC News.
After a stay-at-home order was issued in her state of Wisconsin, Beckmann and her fiancé, Bryant, canceled their plan for a rustic-barn-themed wedding and are instead having a small gathering in the parking lot of a church in Hartland on June 6.
"I was getting questions from family and friends: 'What are you going to do?' 'What are you doing?'" Beckmann said. "So, I didn't really know anyone that was getting married in the summer."
She started the online group for brides-to-be and their bridal parties as well as for vendors planning along with them, thinking it would only attract a few people. Since starting the group "2020 Covid19 Brides/Vendors" in April, it has gained dozens of followers and reached over 155 people.
Several other Facebook groups have also popped up for brides-to-be planning weddings during the pandemic.
"We don't know each other. There are so many cool, unique, creative ideas on what they're doing to still have their dream wedding come true," Beckmann said.
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