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By now, the NBA, NHL and event major festivals such as Coachella and South by Southwest have all postponed or cancelled their events. As the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak spreads around the world, those planning their weddings may be wondering whether to cancel their nuptials, receptions or honeymoons. For brides and grooms in some locations, it may be required by law.
The outbreak shows no signs of stopping anytime soon: Worldwide, more than 133,191 people have been infected. The U.S has also closed its borders to travellers from certain countries.
Between guests travelling, dozens, if not hundreds, of people in an enclosed space and honeymoon travel plans, the coronavirus is likely to affect couples planning their wedding.
Your wedding day is supposed to be the best day of your life, but most brides didn't plan for a viral pandemic to interrupt their big day.
Industry experts say that with the information we have right now, it may be too early to determine if one should stop a summer or fall wedding. However, for right now, in some global cities such as Milan, San Francisco and even New York City, public gatherings of groups people ranging from 1000 people or less are being banned.
So naturally, the question that comes to mind is “If I don’t hold my special event or wedding do, I have to pay cancellation damages or not? “ Well, this is where that term FORCE MAJEURE that you see in event venue contracts comes into play, this is a clause where you can cancel with liability or damages.
The key to the FORCE MAJEURE CLAUSE coming into effect is that it truly has to be commercially illegal, impossible, impractical or impossible to hold the event. States of Emergency (generally done for governments to release funding to help with large impact situations) is NOT a reason to declare a force majeure and cancel your wedding or event.
For those cities where laws have been created banning public gatherings of people, it’s illegal for you to hold an event, conference or event wedding.
Here are some questions that we are sure are going through most couple’s minds
My wedding is in the summer. Should I cancel or postpone it? Ultimately, it depends. Amesh Adalja, a researcher at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, says there's not a "one-size-fits-all approach" to figuring out if you should cancel an event. "It's going to be everywhere soon, and if you're in a town or city with this virus”. So, if gatherings are banned you may have grounds to get talk to your venue about your options as it would be “truly commercially illegal, impossible, impractical or impossible” to hold your event. While not an easy decision, if you do decide to postpone your wedding, Lauren Kay, the executive editor of the wedding planning website The Knot, suggests some best practices for letting your guests know well in advance. Send printed cards, personal notes or call them individually to let them know, Kay says. If you have a website set up for your wedding guests, update that, too.
Should I invite people from affected areas?
Not everyone you invite is from an area where the outbreak is severe. However now with travel bans in place, some of your guests may not be able to travel to your wedding. This may be an instance when postponing a wedding is necessary, especially if a parent, grandparent or other important guest lives in one of those areas.
How should we protect our guests from the coronavirus? If you do decide to go ahead with your wedding, there are several precautionary measures you can take, from the venue to the serving of the food.
Outdoor Weddings - Ventilation and light are crucial to decreasing viral transmission
Distancing people "to the extent you could" – by setting seats at the ceremony a few feet apart, for example – would help decrease the risk for transmission.
Food Options - Opting for a plated meal instead of a buffet or family-style meal would reduce the risk.
Buffet Service - If you are having a buffet at your reception or event, provide each guest with prepacked unused silverware to serve themselves instead of a "common serving implement that everyone touches,"
Cleanliness - Ensure that the venue or your planning team has set-up multiple hand sanitizer stations at every entrance. This shows your guests that you have consider this in the planning of your event.
Receiving Lines - Avoid this practice of shaking hands in a receiving line. Also avoiding any ceremonies which involve a communal wine cup may want to be revisited
Should I make our guests wear masks.
Industry experts say that “masks” do not suit the occasion, and more importantly, they do little to safeguard healthy individuals from coronavirus. We recommend that you think ahead and have good hygiene practices mentioned in a fun creative way such as washing hands, hand sanitizer and ample amounts of tissue or cleaner at your event, which can be used for more than just tears of joy.
Should couples buy wedding insurance? Yes, couples should buy wedding insurance. Although it may be on your mind with the spread of the coronavirus, it's something that provides "peace of mind for any uncontrollable circumstance," Wedding insurance protects a couple’s investment from circumstances beyond their control and is something we recommend for all couples.
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