As with many other large gatherings this summer, many weddings have been canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The coronavirus crisis has forced many around the world to self-isolate and avoid gatherings at all costs. With over a million cases globally and no vaccine successfully developed and deployed just yet, many are taking extra precautions by keeping healthy and wearing cloth face masks whenever stepping out into public spaces. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many gatherings, including Spring and Summer weddings, have been postponed or pushed back. On March 15, the CDC released new guidelines with regards to large gatherings to remind the public that such events can spread Covid-19 through travelers who attend these events. (Read: Interim Guidance for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)) For weddings that have been pushed back to a later date, we’ve rounded up some of the great change-the-date ideas to let your loved ones know that you’re tying the knot in another date.
Tips on How to Reschedule a Wedding During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Rescheduling such a joyous event can feel rather anticlimactic and quite tedious, especially if it’s a big event. Nonetheless, here are a few tips on how to reschedule a wedding during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Let your vendors be the first to know. Of course, aside from informing your immediate family, it’s best to get in touch with your vendors immediately, as they will have to adjust just as you do. Be extra patient with them as well, as some vendors may be small businesses that are hard hit by the pandemic as well. Collaborate with them to find out the best course to reschedule.
- Reschedule your wedding dress alterations. Martha Stewart Weddings recommends contacting your seamstress to inform them of your changed plans. Find out if they can store the dress for longer and determine a better date for alteration appointments.
- Be flexible, prepare a date and a backup date or two. The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted so many events this Spring through Summer. Yours is not the only wedding that may have been cancelled. The Knot recommends keeping an open mind to other days of the week if you wanted to wed on a weekend. Many other brides are probably rescheduling and targeting the same dates as yours.
- Communicate with family and guests. Double check your guest list and make sure everyone is informed of your change of plans. If you don’t have a new date yet, send them a quick text or email before sending them an entirely new invitation.
- Celebrate the day while self-isolating! Your wedding date is a special day you chose to wed. If you’re not rescheduling a full year away, it’s always great to celebrate the day anyway with your loved ones.
Great Change-the-Date Ideas: Creative and Funny Cards
1. MalloryHopeDesign “Planned It Twice” Wedding Postponed Date Announcement
It is a total bummer having to move a wedding date when you’ve got everything planned out, but sending these “Planned It Twice” wedding postponed date announcements is part of the fun! These highly personalized cards can be ordered as physical postcards, flat cards, magnets, or as a digital download. Postcards measure 6 x 4 inches and are printed on 16pt cardstock, which front has a semi-gloss UV coating to protect damage in the mail, while the magnets are 4.25 x 5.5 inches and are 0.39mm thick with a semi-gloss finish. Both include envelopes. Flat cards measure 4.25 x 5.5 inches and are printed on premium 120lb. white matte paper. Customer-rated 4.9 out 5 stars at Etsy.
Promising review: “The invitations are so cute, the paper stock is a very nice thickness and the envelopes are good quality. Thanks so much for the quick turn around.” kathychamberskc1
2. Wanderluststudiouk Chang of Plans Wedding Date Change Cards
Circumstances may change and a proper, elegant announcement is a must. Each card is digitally printed in house on beautifully hand picked papers that complement the wedding stationery. It is printed on premium 350gsm Bianco Matte Card straight from the exclusive Fedrigoni range, which is a fully recycled Matte card with a beautifully subtle texture for extra elegance. Choose from elegant crisp white or rustic recycled kraft envelopes that come for free. Customer-rated 4.9 out of 5 stars on Etsy.
Promising review: “We ordered our save the dates, wedding invites and now change the dates from wanderlust and have been super happy with the end product. Alex and team were really helpful any time we needed assistance. Would recommend!” Katherine
3. SoLovelyInvites Greenery Eucalyptus “Try this Again” Change the Date Wedding Card
For those who prefer digital invites, go for this template that lets you edit your own text in a super easy to use method. Upon purchasing, you’ll receive a link to access your templates, where you can make changes and save the file for distribution by printing or digitally through email, social media, and more. Customers rated thi5 out 5 stars at Etsy.
Promising review: “Thank you, this template is beautiful and it was so easy to edit and customize in the Corjl software!” Cristina Norland
4. FabLabStationery “We Still Do” Wedding Date Change Cards
If you want a more DIY touch to your wedding date change cards, go for these handmade wedding postponement cards that are printed on 100% recycled paper hand-picked from the store’s paper mill partner, a company admired by creative professionals everywhere for their high quality products and 80 years of paper expertise. The cards are also paired with a recycled envelope. The best part? FabLabStationery is devoted to reducing the demand for untouched forests and building a responsible business. Choose from white, ivory, pink, red, blue, silver colored papers and textured kraft. Packaging is plastic-free. Customers rated this 4.9 out of 5 stars at Etsy.
Promising review: “Absolutely fantastic company! Loved our cards, they arrived well packaged. We ordered our cards with specific requirements and they worked so hard to make our vision come to life. I look forward to placing my next order for our RSVP’s.” Emily Gascoyne
5. SincerelyByNicole Sofia “Love is Patient” Wedding Postponed Announcement
Digital distribution is another convenient cost-free way to reach your guests, especially during this time when everyone is often on their computers or phones, working from home. This DIY template lets you edit using the Corjl software that requires no downloads at all. With this, you save time and money by DIY-ing it! Customers rated this 5 out of 5 stars at Etsy.
Promising review: “This was so beautiful, affordable and easy to do. Everything from purchasing to printed was about 10 minutes long, and looked wonderful. You didn’t need to have anything downloaded, and I am very pleased with how this came out!”
Great Change-the-Date Ideas: Sympathy Cards to Show You Care
1. NeverKnewINeeded Cancelled Wedding Card, “Sorry About Your Wedding”
When the coronavirus spread across the world, one of the first guidelines of health authorities was to avoid large gatherings at all costs. This meant that weddings had to be called off or postponed, prom was cancelled, and even other events had to be moved. If you are a guest at a postponed wedding, why not show your support to the almost-wed couple with this cancelled wedding card that reads “I’m sorry your wedding is postponed. I know it succs” with a cute succulent drawing up front. Made in Ottawa, Canada, each card measures 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ and comes with a matching size white or kraft brown envelope. Customers rated this 5 out of 5 stars at Etsy.
Promising review: “Absolutely loved my card! It came in the mail so fast and looked just like the picture. Very happy with my purchase!” Eliza
2. FoxesOnBoxes Would-Be Wedding Day Card
Be that supportive, loving BFF that you are with this would-be wedding day card, which you can send to your loved one whose wedding got cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. These cards measure 6″ x 6″ and features a blank inside for writing your personal note. Also includes a square kraft envelope. This is a handmade 300gsm felt textured card. Customers have rated this 5 out of 5 stars at Etsy.
Promising review: “I sent this to my friend who had to postpone her wedding because of the pandemic. She really appreciated her friends sending cards and flowers etc. to show that they were thinking of her on her original wedding day.” Georgia
3. NeverKnewINeeded Quarantine Wedding Card
This funny sympathy card will totally bring a smile to a bride-to-be and groom-to-be’s face. It features a quote that reads, “You guys isolated together, your marriage is gonna be hella strong.” It measures 4 1/4″ x 5 and comes with a matching white or kraft brown envelope. This item ships from Ottawa, Canada and is handmade on 300gsm heavyweight cardstock. Great for bridesmaids who want to show their support for their brides! Shop at Etsy.
4. PricklyPickleDesigns Good Things Come to Those Who Wait, Happy What Would Have Been Your Wedding Day
With the events brought about by the global crisis, it’s easy to err on the gloomier side of things. Lighten up the mood with this heartfelt card that shows your support during what would have been a celebratory time. This digital download makes it easy to send to your loved one too. Rated 5 out of 5 stars at Etsy.
Promising review: “My daughter and her fiance will definitely appreciate this thoughtful card, acknowledging their cancelled wedding. Thank you!” Karenwili
5. NeverKnewINeeded Happy Original Wedding Date
Show your sympathy and love with this cheeky card that reads, “Happy original wedding date, don’t forget to disinfect this card before you read it!” This fun card lets you remind your loved ones that you’re thinking of them despite having to isolate because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It measures 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ and comes with a matching size white or kraft brown envelope. The card is printed on a high-quality coated 300gsm card. Shop at Etsy.
Other Fun Change-the-Date Gifts You Can Send Your Brides-to-Be to Lighten Up the Mood!
1. Christian Siriano New York 60″ x 70″ Ombre-Stripe Luxury Faux-Fur Throw
Comfort your BFF from afar with this Christian Siriano New York Ombre-Stripe Luxury Faux-Fur Throw, which offers a luxe layer of style and comfort to your loved ones’ home. It features ultra-soft faux fur and chic ombré-stripe pattern and comes in a gift box, making it a thoughtful gift for those you want to comfort in these trying times. Get 65% off for a limited time at Macy’s.
Promising review: “This is the softest/warmest blanket I now own. It is different than similar ones because it is soft on both sides. Perfect for me on a recliner or to sleep underneath on the couch. Just love it. Made well too.” SLGR
2. Estée Lauder 3-Piece Beautiful Belle Romantic Promises Gift Set
Postponed weddings still hold the promise of love! Remind your friend that her wedding will be amazing with this romantic set featuring a full-size Eau de Parfum Spray, deluxe travel size Body Lotion and Travel Spray. Give her the promise of romance with this set of three Beautiful Belle luxuries, which feature scents of Lychee, Orange Flower, Gardenia and Marzipan Musk. It’s even perfect to wear on her wedding day! Get 30% off for a limited time at Macy’s.
Promising review: “This perfume catches my attention every time I wear it. There is a sweet undertone that reminds me a little of cotton candy, I think it’s the orange in the fragrance. It’s absolutely delightful.” Julia
3. Lancôme 4-Piece Advanced Génifique Activate & Illuminate Set
Help maintain your loved one’s radiant skin while waiting for her rescheduled wedding day with this targeted regimen from Lancôme that activates skin for youthfulness and radiance. This perfect set for gifting includes the Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate, Crème Radiance Gentle Cleansing Creamy-Foam, Advanced Génifique Yeux Youth Activating Eye Cream, and Advanced Génifique Hydrogel Melting Mask, a complete skincare regimen that leaves skin feeling fresh and hydrated while boosting luminosity and suppleness. The fast-acting anti-aging serum also helps improve the 10 key signs of aging. Shop at Macy’s.
4. Picnic Time Heart Picnic Basket
Love is patient, love is kind. Love is everywhere! Help your bride-to-be celebrate what would have been her wedding day with this charming heart picnic basket that’s perfect for newlywed dates! Featuring a whimsical design and all the necessities for an enjoyable outdoor dining experience, this picnic set is designed for deluxe picnic, wine, and cheese service two. It features a plush fully-lined interior, napkins, and a tablecloth that comes in lovely antique white. The set also includes porcelain plates, hand-blown wine glasses, silverware, hardwood cutting board, stainless steel waiter-style corkscrew, and salt & pepper shakers. Dark brown leatherette straps keep cutlery in place on the go. Get 40% off with an additional 15% off when you use the code MEMDAY at Macy’s.
5. Godiva 5 Bar Pack
Sometimes, a box of chocolates is the only way to help someone feel better. This charming gift box from Godiva features the brand’s most beloved chocolate bars. This set is a delectable array of chocolates ranging from dark raspberry truffle to milk caramel bars. Included in this gift box are Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Dark Raspberry, Milk Almond and Milk Caramel Bars. Get 20% off for a limited time at Macy’s.
Cancelled or postponed wedding celebrations mean that you have more time to prepare. Whether you’re a bridesmaid or simply a guest, The Teelie Blog archive can provide you with great OOTD ideas. Check out the links below for more.
10 Most Elegant Bridesmaid Dresses You Can Get at Nordstrom Right Now
4 Best Dressed Wedding Guest Looks You Can Get at Nordstrom
11 Effortless Wedding Dresses for Guests
4 Summer Dress Styles You’ll Want to Copy This Season
Beautiful Dresses to Wear to a Fall Wedding
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