Wedding ETC, Author at Wedding ETC

In News

FedEx driver saves beach wedding

April 17, 2020 No Comments

Not all superhero’s wear capes, some deliver packages and come bearing a groom’s wedding band just in time for the ceremony.

Savannah Kulenic and Dylan Perkins planned a big April 10 wedding in Hawaii, only to be forced to cancel due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, they didn’t let that get them down. Together, they organised a last minute ceremony which was held at a friends beach house in Surf City.

Just when they thought nothing else could go wrong, they were left without the grooms ring which had not yet been delivered by the time they started the beach wedding ceremony. The photographer, Amy Fowler, documented the entire fiasco in a Facebook post.

“The bride was waiting on the groom’s wedding band that was to be delivered by the time of the ceremony,” said Fowler. “We had to leave a note on the front door to ask if the delivery person would bring the ring down to the beach. We began the ceremony on the beach and at the end of the ceremony my friend, Brandy, yelled ‘LOOK, IT’S THE FED EX MAN!’ ”

“This sweet man came running down the sand waving the package. It was amazing!” she added.

Fowler joked that this was the perfect opportunity for a great FedEx commercial.

Have a look at Fowlers images of the saviour in action below, you can even see the FedEx employee attempting to ensure he practices safe social distancing.

Congrats to the happy couple!

Images: Facebook / Amy Fowler Shores

In Advice

What to ask vendors when postponing your wedding

April 16, 2020 No Comments

If you were planning on getting married in the next few months, you’ve most likely decided to postpone your wedding on account of the coronavirus pandemic. This can be an overwhelming task, and it’s easy to forget simple things like asking your vendors the correct questions.

If you’re not sure where to start with the postponing process, then we suggest you start with your vendors. Make enquiries with them to find out everything you need to know. From there, it’ll be a much simpler task.

Additionally, starting with your vendors could lead to some refunds if you’re lucky. Not all of them offer refunds, it often depends on individual circumstances. However, it is commonly said that the earlier you cancel, the better your chances of getting a refund.

Here are some questions you should ask your vendors:

– Wedding Planner

What are our options if we decide to postpone?

Are you able to coordinate with our other vendors on our decision?

If we reschedule, will you be available in the coming months?

– Florist

What happens if we cancel or postpone our wedding?

Is it possible to use the deposit for a new wedding date?

Will there be an issue with sourcing the chosen flowers and if so will you be available to assist with choosing new ones?

– Caterer

Are there any cancellation fees, and are they applicable for postponing too?

Will postponing mean we have to redo the menu?

If the number of guests decreases, will we pay the original amount or an adjusted amount?

Will you handle food and serving of food differently as a result of coronavirus?

– Photographer

Are there fees related to cancelling or rescheduling?

Are we able to apply the deposit to the new date?

Are you available in coming months if we do postpone?

If you’re having a destination wedding, enquire whether vendors such as the photographer are still comfortable to travel.

Image: Unsplash

In News

New neighbours give NHS workers surprise wedding

April 16, 2020 No Comments

Like many others, Alex Buckwell, 26, and David Collie, 36, were forced to cancel their wedding on account of the coronavirus pandemic. Luckily for them, they recently moved into the friendliest of neighbourhoods and were treated to a surprise wedding by the other residents.

The couple from Eastbourne, East Sussex, postponed their ceremony which was supposed take place in a Scottish priory. Of course, they were heart broken by this. Instead of their big wedding, they planned to eat fancy steaks in their new garden on March 23, since they had just moved in.

That evening, they heard the sound of bagpipes and a knock on their door. To their surprise they found that their new neighbours put together an impromptu wedding with champagne, bagpipes, flowers, and a bubble machine.

“It was the most touching surprise,” said Alex, who works in HR for the NHS in Eastbourne, to the Daily Mail. “To know that this was all organised by strangers made it even more incredible. I couldn’t stop crying.”

“We’d moved into the house on the last day possible before house moves were banned and then we were in lockdown so we hadn’t met any of the neighbours.”

She said she only briefly mentioned what would have been her wedding day because the woman who lives across the road had asked her if they could swap parking spaces.

The couple danced to ABBA’s Dancing Queen as the neighbours applauded their first dance in the middle of the road.

Congrats to the happy couple!

Images: Unsplash

In Engagements

Why many are getting engaged during coronavirus

April 15, 2020 No Comments

You may think that with a world wide health crisis going on, now is not the best time to get engaged. However, it seems many would disagree as there have been quite a few engagements during the time of coronavirus.

Of course, there is no single reason for this trend, but there are a few which are common. The most common reason is that these couples planned to get engaged before the coronavirus pandemic took over everyone’s lives and forced us all to change our plans. Like rapper Jeezy, who propososed to Jeannie Mai on a “quarantine date”, many are simply following through with plans they had already made but had reworked to cater for self-isolation. After all, we wouldn’t want to put our lives on hold for an undisclosed, or unknown amount of time.

Many people are rushing engagements of marriages at this time for more logistical and technical reasons. Getting engaged and married means that you may have more authority to advocate for each other in medical emergencies, which is important at a time like this. It may also be on account of visa requirements, or to avoid conflicts about wills or estates.

Then, there is the obvious reason. The one we hope is the strongest, most convincing reason for all those couples getting engaged. Love. Perhaps the health crisis has shown people how precious life is and how time is fleeting and that they have to seize the moment.

For those who are religious, or at least more conservative in their beliefs, an engagement or marriage makes it more “acceptable” to stay together during the lockdown. If people don’t want to get separated from each other during this time, they simply get engaged and married to be together while keeping their families happy.

No matter the reason though, we hope that all the couples getting engaged during this time are as happy as can be!

Image: Unsplash

In Emotional

Italian couple spend 50th anniversary together in ICU

April 15, 2020 No Comments

Even in the time of coronavirus, love conquers all. It finds a way around all barriers, even hospitalisation. This elderly Italian couple celebrated their 50th anniversary, in an intensive care unit (ICU) after medics arranged for them to be together.

Sandra (71) and husband Giancarlo (73) both contracted COVID-19 and were thus hospitalised at the Murri Hospital in Fermo, in the eastern region of Marche.

Roberta Ferretti, a nurse at the hospital, heard that the couple’s 50th anniversary was coming up and decided she would organise a a celebration with the help of some other medics. “Sandra cried a lot, not for herself; she was worried about her husband. He told me how much he still loved her, after so many years. When I found out that it was their anniversary, I thought they had to celebrate it,” said Ferretti to a local media outlet.

According to the Daily Mail, the celebration lasted only 10 minutes, and a candle was placed on a cake without lighting it since it cannot be lit close to the oxygen.

The couple held hands as the medics played the Wedding March.

In a Facebook post, Ferretti said that Sandra was crying tears of joy, and her husband only spoke about how in love with her he is.

Images: Facebook / Roberta Ferretti

In Advice

Ways to celebrate your original wedding date

April 15, 2020 No Comments

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting quarantines and self-isolation regulations, many are postponing their weddings. However, moving your wedding doesn’t mean your orginal wedding date has to be any less special.

You may have had your heart set on your original date, it may have been a sentimental choice, or perhaps it was the perfect date for you. Whatever the reason for the original choice, you should still celebrate! Just because the actual celebration won’t be on that day, doesn’t mean you can’t do something special to comemorate what the date means to you now.

Here are some ways to celebrate in self-isolation:

– Have a mini photoshoot

Set the self-timer and get posing! You could dress up in your wedding outfits if you have them, or formal attire if you don’t. You could even make it light hearted and take some funny photos of the two of you dressed up in costumes put together with household items. If you’re feeling extra creative, you could create some fun backdrops.

You and your partner can cherish the photos for years to come. It’ll be a fun way to comemorate the day, and will bring back all sorts of memories every time you come back to them.

– Host virtual drinks with your wedding party

The bridesmaids and groomsmen have been commited to your wedding for a while! Why not celebrate the day with them by you side? Hop on Zoom or Skype, and have a drink with them in comemoration of the day you all have spent so long preparing for.

– Make a wedding cake

Spend some quality time in the kitchen creating a wedding cake. You may not have the one you ordered on hand, but that doesn’t mean you should go without! And of course, what is a celebration without a cake?

– Write wedding day letters

In place of saying your wedding vows to each other, why not write letters to exchange on the original wedding date. This way, you’re celebrating in a special and intimate way, while saving your actual vows for your postponed date.

– Have your first dance

You’ve practiced it for so many hours! Pop some music on the speakers and have your first dance.

Image: Unsplash

In News

Couple wed outside grandmother’s window

April 14, 2020 No Comments

With the coronavirus pandemic essentially taking over the world, couples are having for rethink their wedding celebrations. Those with elderly relatives have to be extra careful, as they are some of the most at-risk in the population.

Danielle Beaumier, a bride from Boardman, Ohio, refused to have her wedding without her beloved grandma. However, she wanted to ensure her safety too. In order to ensure that her grandmother was a part of her special day, Beaumier brought the wedding to her grandmother’s window.

Her grandma lives in an assisted living facility. WKFR reports that she was able to attend the bridal shower in March. However, since then social distancing regulations have tightened and the coronavirus situation has worsened. Now, nursing homes have gone into lockdown in order to protect their residents.

With just the couple, their parents, Beaumier’s grandmother, and the officiant in attendance, they held a small ceremony on the lawn outside the nursing home.

“My important thing was having my grandmother there. So, as long as that happened I was happy with the outcome,” says Beaumeir to WKFR.

The couple intends to hold their wedding celebration in August.

Congrats to the happy couple!

Image: Screenshot from video

In Advice

Coping with your wedding date change

April 14, 2020 No Comments

In the midst of these uncertain times we’re living in, couples are forced to make tough decisions around their weddings or look at alternative options. If you happen to find yourself in this very predicament, wedding and event planners Stark Events are sharing some tips to help you cope with the challenges including changing your wedding date.

Allow Yourself To Go Through The Motions

Yes, sure we’re going through far bigger problems on a global scale, but it’s really okay to feel angered, sad, frustrated and just plain disappointed. You’ve set your heart on it and you’ve been planning this day since your engagement (possibly before), so you’re allowed to have these emotions triggered. But remember, while it’s okay to feel angered and overwhelmed, these emotions should not be allowed to consume you. Give yourself time to grieve, but bounce back from it and plan for the future.

Chat To Your Wedding Vendors

Communicate your decision of changing your wedding date to your service providers. Don’t panic about needing to open the conversation as this is a global pandemic and everyone is in the same boat. Be open and feel free to ask as many questions as possible – your wedding planner, venue and other service providers will gladly assist in making this transition as easy as possible.

Don’t forget to check with all your vendors what their policy is in terms of refunds and postponements.

Communicate To Your Guests

Sit down with your fiancé and work out a plan of action as to how you’ll go about communicating your date change to your guests. Due to your wedding date changing, you will most likely have some guests who can no longer attend due to prior commitments. While this isn’t ideal, be gracious and try making alternative plans with these guests post wedding. Who could possibly say no to an intimate post wedding celebration?

Keep An Open Mind

Be as flexible and accommodating as possible. We know that you’ve set your heart on certain aspects regarding your wedding day, but unfortunately, it is now out of your control. Take a moment to process it all and tackle the rest of your wedding planning head on, but with a clear and open mind.

Celebrate Your Original Date

You’ve chosen your wedding date for a reason and we encourage all couples to go ahead and celebrate it. Despite not being able to host your actual wedding on this particular date, plan something special with your partner. An intimate, candlelit dinner paired with soft music and champagne on ice sounds idyllic to us!

Feature image: Unsplash

In Engagements

Man plans surprise proposal and livestream

April 9, 2020 No Comments

Quarantine engagements are becoming more and more popular, and even celebrities are participating. Of course, an intimate at-home proposal is lovely, but if you wanted to have your family involved you may be a bit disappointed.

PJ Bruno couldn’t let it go, he was determined to include family and friends in this surprise proposal to girlfriend, Jaz Zepatos. After being together for three years, Bruno wanted an elaborate proposal, but with the coronavirus pandemic controlling things, he had to come up with a new idea.

He decided to invite his friends and family to watch the proposal live, on March 27. Google Hangouts was his streaming service of choice. Bruno’s mother recorder the proposal in person, while one of his friend’s watching the live stream screen recorded it.

“In the midst of global chaos, Bruno managed to find a way to gather our closest friends and family to create one of the most magical moments of my life,” Zapatos wrote on an Instagram post. “Thank you to everyone who took part in our special day from the safety of your homes. We love you so much.”

This story is not unlike many others at this time. With the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, many are being creative and finding a way to share their joy with their loved ones who are not physically close to them. While it’s a common story in these times, it remains wholesome and heartwarming, just what we all need.

On her Instagram post you can see the full proposal, and the moment she realises they are being live streamed.

Watch it here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-SDGo-D08Q/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-SGSMuFdcA/

Congrats to the happy couple!

Image: Screenshot

In News

Drive-thru weddings emerge as solution to postponement

April 9, 2020 No Comments

Some couples will certainly not allow the coronavirus pandemic to stand in their way. From Animal Crossing weddings, to cardboard guests and even risking arrest, people whose weddings have been ruined by the outbreak are stopping at nothing.

In Melbourne, Australia, a different solution is rising in popularity. Nine News Australia reported that “Drive thru weddings are giving couples a chance to tie the knot amid the crisis.” Since there are several restrictions placed on weddings due to the coronavirus, this has emerged as a way around.

Couples are able to get married for around 400 Australian Dollars (R4 489) with a company called ‘I Do Drive Thru’.

The company offers legal weddings in a drive-thru format. They follow all restriction rules and offer a refund if the wedding is not carried out. According to I Do Drive Thru, couples can arrive by foot, bike, or car. Additionally, if the couple would prefer to choose a special location, the company will meet them there and they are still allowed to remain in the car.

Of course, many would wonder why this is necessary. Why not just wait until the health crisis is over? I Do Drive Thru took to Instagram to explain.

“There are many reasons why couples want to marry during this time, it’s not only for love, it’s also to be able to advocate for each other for medical reasons, comply with visa requirements and also to avoid any conflict around wills and estates. Marriage is an essential service and we have created the I Do Drive Thru in order to protect our couples and ourselves during this time of COVID,” they said.

It definitely is a creative way around a problem that has many people stumped.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-th2cbhn3O/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-sPgWgBV4-/

Image: Youtube / Nine News Australia (Screenshot)