You’ve sent out new save the dates, rebooked with all of your vendors and given yourself time to have a good cry. (Maybe it was a scream? There’s no judgement and you deserve to let it ALL out.) As your old wedding date approaches, it’s important to honor that day and make it feel special as you process rescheduling such a significant celebration. Here’s three ways to honor your original wedding date.
Open up a conversation with your partner before the day rolls around and ask what would make them feel loved and special. Share your own feelings and collaborate on what feels right with commemorating the occasion. If you’re feeling stuck with ideas, consider a candle lit, living room picnic dinner with take out from your caterers or a mini wedding cake from your baker. Ask your DJ to curate a playlist based off your first dance song to set the mood and trade the sweatpants for date night attire.
Rather than let the date drift by and pretend it doesn’t hold emotional weight, instead consider how you can honor what the day means. It’s a day you set aside to celebrate commitment and it can still be just that. Open up a conversation with your partner about the significance of the day and how to acknowledge it. Consider writing one another a letter, acknowledging your commitment to be a strong partner in times of difficulty and what you’ve admired in how your partner has handled rescheduling the wedding. Turn off the technology and intentionally sit down together to read your notes and share how they make you feel.
Weddings are a community celebration, if postponing gathering together really makes you feel disheartened, let your nearest and dearest make this day significant with you. Ask your wedding party and family to join in for a “Toasts and Tears” to share their favorite stories about you two as a couple. Feeling “zoomed out” and the idea of another video meeting makes you cringe? Invite your loved ones to send a note, snail mail or email, with words of encouragement and their favorite story about you two. Pop open a special bottle of bubbly and read through them together to soak in the support that reaches through the disappointment and distance.
There’s no wrong way to grieve your original date but there’s also no wrong way to celebrate it. Take time together to honor what would have been an incredible celebration and use it as a moment to reaffirm your love for one another.