As engaged couples struggle to deal with reduced income, social distancing restrictions and lockdowns, walking down the aisle has presented a challenge over the last year. As a result, 56 percent of couples either postponed their wedding or opted for simpler celebrations during 2020, acknowledging that most of wedding planning stress comes from financial problems. While couples are hopeful that they’ll finally get the wedding of their dreams this year, several factors remain a hindrance to saying I do in 2021. Here’s what Canadians really think about getting married amidst the ongoing health crisis.
Postponing until larger gatherings can be allowed
More couples are choosing to embrace a long engagement, and are postponing their wedding until larger gatherings can be allowed in the country. Apart from having more time to enjoy being engaged, a period that traditionally races by for most couples, the decision also allows them to have more time to save up and plan for their dream nuptials. According to Canadian wedding planners, having to cut down their guest list to include only immediate family members is causing stress among clients who are set on having a big wedding with 250 or more guests. This is especially true for couples who are bound by tradition to have large-scale celebrations. Until social distancing restrictions ease up, those who have their hearts set on big weddings will be postponing their nuptials indefinitely rather than putting themselves and their guests at risk.
The wedding goes on with intimate gatherings
As a way to work with their current finances and have a wedding in 2021, some couples are choosing to have intimate gatherings such as a small-scale wedding. This means having only 25 or fewer guests at the wedding, plus a livestream of the nuptials as a way to include relatives and friends on their special day. Other couples who are eager to start their marriage are choosing to have the ceremony, but are postponing the reception for a future date in the hope of being able to celebrate with their loved ones. Meanwhile, there are couples who are choosing to forego tradition entirely, and are opting for elopement packages that allow them to have a wedding and a quick reception for about $3,000. For them, starting their new life as a married couple is the top priority, which is why they’re choosing to go on despite the health crisis.
Getting married has become more of a challenge during the pandemic, and Canadian couples are either waiting for things to get better or finding new ways to say ‘I do’ this year. Amidst the ongoing health crisis, couples will be thinking about what matters most to them, and making a decision based on their priorities.
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