It’s no surprise that one of the industries hit hardest by COVID has been the world of weddings. Couples around the world have had to face the hard decision of postponing their wedding date to a safer time, which more than likely is a decision they’ve been struggling with for weeks. Think about it. Many spend months, if not years, planning every last detail for this celebration into the next phase of their lives, only to be forced to postpone to months or sometimes an entire year later. Chances are if you happen to be the best friend or relative of someone who is going through this situation right now, you may feel helpless in how to support them during this difficult time. However with a little TLC and some helpful tips, your acts of kindness can go a long way in improving their mood and boost the spirits of every couple affected by this horrible tragedy. To make things simple, we’ve put together for you 5 ways you can celebrate your loved ones when they need to postpone their wedding. Check out the list below!

1. Honor the Original Date

Just because your friend postponed their wedding to a later date, doesn’t mean they instantly forget the original one. Reaching out to them via text, a phone call, or scheduling a video chat will go a long way. Are you the maid of honor or best man? Coordinate a surprise zoom video call with their entire wedding party and immediate family to show them you all are thinking about them on their day, and can’t wait to party with them on the new one. Pop some bubbles virtually with their friends and family to pay tribute to the missed moment.

2. Don’t complain about your inconvenience

Maybe you lost money on your non-refundable ticket or bought an expensive dress for the occasion – trust us when we say now is not the time to complain to the couple about your losses. They are faced with dealing with the aftermath of their big day, and shouldn’t be expected to also deal with other people’s frustrations too. They’re already feeling guilty enough about how this is affecting their guests. Please don’t add any additional burden to them by telling them what issues you’re having in changing your travel plans. However should they come to you, do listen to them vent. In this time of need, it’s certainly warranted.

3. Send a little something

Know where they love to have date nights, or want to send a little joy their way? Order takeout from their favorite restaurant or send them flowers in their wedding colors to show them you’re thinking about them on their original date. Supporting your friend and a small, local business by sending a token of sunshine their way is the perfect way to say you’re thinking of them. Since people are social distancing and shops are closed, many entrepreneurs are aching for online sales to keep their brand afloat. Pick your favorite one and order a surprise for your couple. Something as simple as selecting an item off of their registry or bridal gift doesn’t have to wait until they tie the knot. Chances are they may be contemplating wedding now and partying later, so the gift will certainly be used.

4. Offer to make calls to other guests 

Your friend will likely be tasked with calling not only vendors to see what can be done about their wedding, but also breaking the news over and over again to guests. To really step up to the plate and take some of the burden off of the couple, offer to make some of those calls for them. Your friends are probably heartbroken about having to make the decision to postpone or cancel, and taking some of the logistical work off of their plates is going to be an enormous help.

5. Be there for them in their time of need

Let’s face it, none of this is easy. So the best thing you can do for any couple facing wedding postponement or have already made the switch, is simply be there for them. Whatever they need. May it be an hour long vent session on the phone or their opinion on whether not 5/5/21 or 10/2/21 sounds like a better postponement date, it’s the smallest gestures that make a world of difference and would be appreciated most during this challenging time.

Tiffany Rivera is a DC Wedding Planner & DC Event Planner serving DC, Maryland, Virginia and beyond! For more wedding planning advice, be sure to check out Why Intimate Weddings Have Always Been In + The Pros To Planning Your Own.