Rogers Gets a Deal
My Pandemic Wedding Story-Part 2
Bam! We’re already married, and it’s time to prepare for the June 21st wedding. But here's the thing, I didn’t believe it was going to happen, so I didn't look forward to it. The world started opening up, but I just knew, with the way things were going for me, that we would have to postpone again. We get down to two weeks until the date and figure out, like oh, this wedding is really happening.
I immediately let my thoughts get to me again. Why do I STILL have to be a pandemic bride? WHY WHY WHY?! My main concern from the jump was guest count. Now here we are, and people can't come. Many of our family members who've been counting down with us could not attend. I let all the declines break me. I had to turn Zola and email notifications off because it made me sad. Don't get me wrong, I wanted everyone to stay safe, but it felt like the odds weren't in my favor again. It was a very overwhelming process.
On top of all of this, I had to tackle my anxious thoughts. I hadn't been around anyone since the first stay-at-home order. The thought of gathering with more than ten people and not knowing if people were taking the proper precautions had my anxiety on 10! I was like, why can't we get our money back? Whew, chile! Talk about a whole roller coaster. [Looking back on it, having that wedding was much better than getting our money back!]
I learned a lot about myself through this process. For starters, I don’t have to be the strong person who holds it together. I don’t have to go through difficult times alone. I am worthy of everything God has planned for my life and marriage. I thank God for the friends who called and checked on me throughout this mess. They got me together quickly and made me realize this wedding was exactly how God planned. He makes no mistakes, and I needed to release any control I was trying to have. Trusting that God will work everything out is key! By the time the wedding weekend came, I was LIT! Super excited. None of that stuff mattered to me. We made it, and everything was amazing. If you were there, you know I “popped out,” it was truly one of the best days of my life.
You might be like okay, sis, but why are you telling us all this? Listen chile, I want y'all to learn from me. Pandemic bride or not! Do not worry about who will be there and why they won't be there. YOUR wedding is not the time to be a people-pleaser. Other people's opinions don't matter (even family unless they're running up a check). Nothing else matters but the union between you and your honey. YES, I was still a COVID bride. YES, a lot of our family didn't make it. YES, to a bunch of other stressful situations. However, when that day came, I lived in the moment, having the dream wedding I deserved. None of that mattered anymore.
If you still have to have your wedding despite the conditions of the world, do not panic. I am a living witness that everything will be okay. For future brides, my biggest tip is to purchase cancellation insurance. Not because you think you will get cold feet but because you never know what could happen. We couldn't have predicted the pandemic, but you should always consider natural disasters or uncontrollable cases that way, you would be able to get your money back or have more flexible options!
