COVID-19 Update for Summer 2020 Weddings
To our clients, friends and industry partners,
Well, the day has come that I have to send out this dreaded message. I think we were all holding out hope that the COVID-19 outbreak would be contained enough by this summer for large gatherings and weddings to carry on as planned. The uncertainty of the situation has been difficult for everyone to navigate, but also allowed for that cautious optimism that kept many wedding and event plans in place.
Over the weekend, we received a big and very relevant update from our Provincial Health Officer. In the April 18 press briefing, Dr. Bonnie Henry directly addressed the questions surrounding large gatherings planned for this summer, including weddings, funerals, graduations and other milestone celebrations, as well as mass public events and festivals (such as the PNE).
In response to questions about weddings and celebrations, she stated, "think about how we can celebrate important milestones in our lives in a way that allows us to have a safe distance.”
Regarding larger public events and festivals, she advised that "those types of mass gatherings of people together... this is not the time for that and it’s not going to be through this summer.”
Here's the link to watch the full April 18 joint statement on Province of British Columbia COVID-19 response.
We've also summarized Dr. Henry's key remarks related to weddings below:
“In terms of those smaller events like weddings and family parties and anniversaries and graduations - again, this is a very challenging time and I know it’s really hard for people to think about having these events without getting together. But we’ve found some really innovative ways of doing that.
So, I would tell people to think small. We’re not going to be having large gatherings. We know that those are the types of events that this can be transmitted. Particularly funerals - those family celebrations when we spend time together - weddings and parties where we share food, where we hug and where we care for each other in a very close way - unfortunately, right now those are the things that are risky.
So I think we need to start thinking about planning small events, looking at how we can bring people together virtually, how we can support particularly our seniors and elders who are most at risk. Support them being involved without being physically together. And there’s lots of great ways that people are starting to do that, and we need to think about how do we do that through the summer.”
So, what does this mean? (aside from the obvious)
First off, we need to keep in perspective that these restrictions are important for the safety and health of our loved ones and communities. They do have unintended negative effects that we all must work through, but we can find strength and perseverance knowing we're all in this together, and we WILL celebrate together again one day - in person, as a large gathering.
We're sad for all the couples and celebrations that are impacted by this latest update. We know this is going to be difficult to process and find the best way forward for each individual couple and family. We at Spotlight are here to do as much as we can to make the planning transitions as smooth as possible.
Here are some possible options for couples with large traditional weddings planned in summer 2020, as well as what we're offering our clients for each scenario:
Reschedule your wedding as planned to 2021 or later. If you choose to go this route, your Spotlight retainer payment will be applied to our services and/or any rentals on your new date, provided we are available. If we're not available, we'll work with you directly to find an alternative solution based on each client's individual circumstance.
Postpone your wedding indefinitely or to a not yet determined date. If you know you'll be moving ahead with your wedding, but need more time to sort out your alternative plans and a new date, we can hold your retainer payment as a credit for up to 2 years. Keep in touch with us about your decision process and we'll support along the way.
Get married on your original date with an intimate ceremony celebration. A ceremony celebration or "micro wedding" would still include all the special elements of a traditional wedding, but on a micro scale. This can be done at a park or at home. The ceremony celebration could also be live streamed for extended friends and family to share in the moment, and/or professionally filmed and shared later. Your retainer payment can be used towards any rentals from our collection to help make your intimate ceremony a beautiful setting, as well as any delivery, set-up and take down.
Reschedule your reception only. If you choose to have an intimate ceremony celebration, you could also reschedule your reception only to 2021 or later. In this case, your retainer can be used towards any services or rentals for both the intimate ceremony this year and the reception celebration on a future date.
Book a Spotlight "all inclusive" ceremony celebration package. We are putting together some elopement packages to offer a beautiful ceremony and mini celebration for those interested in going that route. We know you’ve probably already spent many months planning your wedding and feel emotionally exhausted at the thought of changing everything. Our intention is to create a customized elopement package that makes your mini ceremony and celebration as breath-taking and memorable as your large wedding vision. Packages will be a la carte to suit each couple's specific requirements, offering options for officiant, hair & makeup (maybe), bridal bouquet, groom boutonnière, photography, videography, ceremony decor, plus coordination, delivery, setup and take down.
If none of these options feel like the right choice for you, don't hesitate to reach out. As everyone keeps saying, these are unprecedented times and certainly extenuating circumstances for all. We have put a lot of thought and consideration into the evolving situation, and refunds may be a possibility for those with unique circumstances where none of the alternative plans noted above are an option. We are here to support you and are prepared to do whatever we can as a business and as friends to help get you through this time. In return, if there's anything you can do to support our small business during this challenging time, that would be so greatly appreciated as well.
What about weddings and events planned for fall 2020 and later?
Our advice for anyone with a wedding or event planned for fall 2020 is to also start working on a backup plan. We still would cautiously advise a “wait and see” approach for dates in October and later, but the more prepared we all can be, the better.
What we know is that the Provincial Health Officer has stated many times that we’ll be in some form of physical distancing until there’s a vaccine, which could be 12-18 months or more. We’ll begin to see in May and June what loosening some of the physical distancing restrictions looks like. What businesses and activities will re-open and what new measures will be put in place to make “normal” activities safer. This should help to give some indication on what the future will hold in fall 2020 and 2021.
Thank you to everyone for your support throughout this uncertain time. We will get through it together. Sending out a big virtual hug to you all.
Stay safe, healthy and kind.
Much love,
