Coronavirus and weddings: can you tie the knot safely, can all your guests attend, should you postpone? Your questions answered
- Experts offer suggestions and some reassurance for couples planning weddings this summer amid the uncertainty caused by the spreading coronavirus pandemic
- Among their tips is to get wedding insurance, hold your party outdoors, practice social distancing with guests, and serve plated meals rather than a buffet
As the coronavirus outbreak spreads around the world, those planning their weddings may be wondering whether to cancel their nuptials or honeymoons.
The outbreak shows no signs of stopping any time soon: worldwide, more than 120,000 people have been infected, and more than 4,600 have died. In the United States, more than 950 cases have been reported, and flights to and from Europe suspended for a month.
Between guests travelling, dozens, if not hundreds, of people congregating in an enclosed space and honeymoon travel plans, the coronavirus is likely to affect couples planning their wedding in a variety of ways.
“We’re trying to look forward in time and guess what the situation will be,” says Gregory Poland, director of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group in the US state of Minnesota. “That’s a really tough thing to do.” Officials say it might not be time just yet to cancel your wedding, but it depends on multiple factors.
My wedding is in the summer. Should I cancel or postpone?
Ultimately, it depends. Amesh Adalja, a researcher at Johns Hopkins Centre 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, it may not be very impactful to cancel [your wedding],” he says.