Couples across the world are unfortunately having to postpone their weddings due to the spread of the coronavirus. This, understandably, is devastating to them. Months or even years of planning and thousands spent on the event, all gone to waste. This South Carolina bride, however, wanted to do something good despite her disappointment.

Keali Lay teamed up with her florist to donate her wedding flowers to “people in need of happiness and cheer”.

In a Facebook post Lay said, “We are beyond devastated that our wedding on Saturday 3/21 had to be postponed. ? There are no words to describe this feeling, especially when we were 4 days away (FOUR!!). We were engaged on August 30 I was ready to have a wedding and had most everything booked and planned by September 6.”

After deciding to postpone her wedding, Lay called all her vendors to inform them. Angela Mandigo, her florist, was on top of her list as she was aware that the flowers had already come in but she didn’t want them to go to waste. The two thus devised a plan to donate the flowers.

“It makes me feel a little better that this horrible thing has happened, [but] but something happy is coming out of it,” said Lay to Good Morning America.

The flowers were donated and happiness and cheer was indeed spread.

“I’m hoping as other flower shops and brides see this they will give back to the community and lift their spirits,” said Mandigo to Good Morning America. 

The couple still intend to get married on March 21, 2020 as they have been approved by the State of South Carolina. However, they will be doing so in the presence of immediate family and close friends only. They also still plan to have their planned big day, but they are yet to confirm when it will happen.

Lay is also hoping that couples around the world are able to see the bigger picture during these uncertain times. “You’ve already accomplished the best part of getting married, which is finding your partner and best friend. A wedding is just a big party, but marriage is so much more than that,” she said.

Congrats to the happy couple and hopefully they have their special celebration soon!

Image: Unsplash

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic affecting countries worldwide, the Church of England has taken a definitive stance by restricting wedding parties to five people.

All over the world, people are postponing their big days as governments instill lockdowns and self-quarantine instructions. While people may not have the large event they imagined, they do still have the option of tying the knot, albeit it on a much smaller scale.

The Church of England has sanctioned that weddings will now be curtailed to the legal minimum of five people. This includes the bridal couple, the wedding officiant and two witnesses.While the two partners may stand close together, those attending the wedding will be required to practice social distancing. The priest will not be required to touch the rings to bless them, nor will they have to touch the bridal couple’s hands as part of prayer.

The Church is also putting measures in place to allow guests to attend the wedding virtually.

“Where family relatives or friends are unable to attend given the restrictions on numbering, churches will be happy to explore ways to allow others to join the service, either through platforms such as Skype, or recording the service to send at a later date to anyone unable to attend,” they write. “Where no audio link can be achieved, an order of service could be sent either by email or post.”

“No additional church personnel will attend the service, for example organists, vergers or sound system operator etc.”

Still want to go ahead with your wedding but practising social distancing? Why not livestream it?

Image: Unsplash