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Apeal127
Savvy April 2024

Advice?

Apeal127, on June 24, 2020 at 6:05 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 12
I desperately need some advice. So originally my fiancé and I planned to have a full wedding ceremony. Due to Covid and job losses, and reflecting on many potential drama starters in both of our families, we decided we would rather have an elopement type ceremony with one friend each, my grandfather (who’s lifespan is limited and hasn’t gotten to attend any of his daughters weddings and expressed great longing to attend mine), our officiant, and one photographer. This wedding is set for October and all involved have agreed to wear masks. We originally planned to not tell anyone and send pictures and announcements out after, but decided it would be better to tell family the deal and explain that it wasn’t personal and that it was our wish to do it this way. Upon beginning to tell family, of course EVERYONE we have talked to demands to be invited, and most of them refuse to wear masks. With the venue we could afford, only about two additional people could comfortably attend and still maintain social distancing guidelines, and we are pretty dead set on having our attendees wear masks. Unfortunately the venue and time has already been shared with them (my fiancé is not a great secret keeper lol) and they have insisted on showing up. What do I do? Move venues? Tell them we postponed? Demand they wear a mask or not show up? I’m at a loss. I don’t want to tell any family they can’t come (especially my future in laws) but we have a one year old who will be there with us and his health is my greatest priority. Also, I don’t feel like it would be fair for the family who is willing to follow the guidelines we set to miss out on the wedding while the ones blatantly disregarding us get to show up. We have considered offering the wedding live-streamed but the venue is in an area pretty far from a WiFi tower and I’m not sure how successful it would be.

12 Comments

Latest activity by KitandKaboodle, on June 30, 2020 at 8:25 PM
  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    If you want to live stream it you still can - you can use a hotspot to get better internet, etc.

    but honestly i absolutely would stress that if you want to come you MUST wear a mask or stand far enough distance because that's what your wishes are and they shouldn't just come and not abide to what you want if they truly are there to be supportive.

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  • Apeal127
    Savvy April 2024
    Apeal127 ·
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    Thank you! I think that’s what we’re going to do. We have one particular important family member really fighting us on it, one of the “freedoms being repressed” types...
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  • Reena
    Expert February 2021
    Reena ·
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    I agree with the above poster...your wedding your rules. Is an outdoor venue a possibility? That way you can invite family and people can be spread out?
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  • Apeal127
    Savvy April 2024
    Apeal127 ·
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    It is an outdoor venue, it’s a small overlook surrounded by trees in a park looking over a lake! It only has one bench, and while folding chairs are definitely an option, it could only hold maybe 6 or seven total set 6 feet apart.
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  • Reena
    Expert February 2021
    Reena ·
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    That sounds lovely! It’s your day. Make sure you have it the way you want to have it so you are happy in the end. Good luck.
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  • R
    Dedicated October 2021
    Ruby ·
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    Honestly, I think some people make things like this about them and don't consider your situation or respect your wishes. If I were in your shoes, I would keep the venue but see if the venue will allow to change the date to an earlier day. That way, you make your announcement before the uninvited guests show up to the venue. During your one year anniversary, you can have host a reception to have all guests attend.

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  • VIP August 2020
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    I don't think you should be forced to having more people than you actually invited to your wedding. I think the easiest way to avoid having everyone show up would be to move the ceremony time so it's a few hours earlier on the same day. That way you keep the venue you wanted, and your officiant and photographer are probably still available.
    If you decide you are going to accommodate the extra people, it might actually be possible to have a few more than 6-7 chairs. The six foot distance doesn't apply to people from the same household, so you could put 2 chairs next to each other for a couple and then the next chair/s 6 feet from that. Depending on how many couples/families would be there, you would probably be able to fit 3-5 more chairs than you could if you spaced every chair 6 feet apart.
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  • Apeal127
    Savvy April 2024
    Apeal127 ·
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    Thank you!! I hadn’t thought about the household issue.
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  • Kimberly
    Super March 2021
    Kimberly ·
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    I agree with Ruby above. I’d try to either move the day up or at least try to move the time of the ceremony up to avoid the uninvited people from showing up. Honestly your 1 year old isn’t the one you need to be worried about, but your grandfather. If he has any kind of compromised immune system and people show up refusing to wear masks or following social distancing this could be very dangerous for him. Have the wedding you’ve planned to have and don’t allow others to decide for you that they are more important.
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  • Apeal127
    Savvy April 2024
    Apeal127 ·
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    I’m definitely concerned about my grandfather, he’s pretty healthy overall but is up there in age and I don’t want to take any chances, especially knowing how badly he wants to be there. We may just end up trying to scoot it up a few hours
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  • Gina
    WeddingWire Administrator April 2021
    Gina ·
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    Hi Abigail,

    I'm so sorry your are going through this! I agree with all of the recommendations above. If I were in your shoes, I would push for a live stream of the ceremony. This way you are able to follow the rules of the venue and no one in your family is left out.

    Let us know what you end up deciding.

    Sending so much love your way!

    Smiley heart

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  • KitandKaboodle
    Master November 2016
    KitandKaboodle ·
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    I'm always amazed at how people make a wedding about them and not the couple. As if their presence is necessary for the ceremony. If it were me, I would NOT change my date. I would let those unreasonable family members know that due to the COVID-19 restrictions, you are unable to have the ceremony you want and are forced to have the wedding that you have planned. I would remind them your grandfather and your son will be there and their health is a priority.

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