How We're Handling COVID-19
When we hosted Rikki & Ethan’s wedding on February 29th, we had no idea it would be out last wedding until June. Right now, we have postponed every single one of our March, April, and May weddings. We've also started having postponements of June and July events. While we believe that flattening the curve and isolating is 100% the right thing to do to stop this virus, it’s been heartbreaking to see our couples go through this.
Through this trying time though, we’ve seen so many of clients handle it all with INCREDIBLE grace and positivity. Megan and Brian were supposed to get married on March 28, but when COVID-19 changed their plans, they went ahead and got married in their backyard! A few family and friends were present while others, like Megan’s sister, got to watch on FaceTime or a livestream. In a few months, we’ll celebrate here at the Mill, but until then, Megan and Brian are enjoying quarantine life as newlyweds!
We’ve also seen so much community support come out of this hardship. People are buying gift cards from their favorite restaurants, shopping for the elderly or otherwise vulnerable, and families are getting together on Zoom for birthdays. There are so many ways to help support those around us, and we’ll share ways how you can do that for your community AND for the event industry.
Because this IS an unprecedented time for all of us. We’re all doing our best to not just survive but thrive and help our communities, too.
How You Can Help
If you want to help your vendors in the event and hospitality industry, PLEASE make every effort to postpone rather than cancel.
We actually had a light September, which means we didn’t book a lot of weddings for September 2020. I was, of course, worried about that a few months ago, but now it seems like a miracle! We still have TWO Saturdays in September to offer anyone who needs to reschedule their wedding.
We have a few other Saturdays this Fall to offer, but right now, we are hesitant to advertise them to the public. After the governor’s announcement that we would be under the new Stay at Home measures until June 10, we have a lot of June, July, and August couples who are understandably nervous.
In my heart of hearts though, I still have hope that this new mandate will be lifted before June. Of course, I’m no expert on this virus and how much it will continue to spread, but I have to hope that we won’t be under lock and key for 2.5 more months. My hope is that everyone will take these measures seriously, and the mandate will be lifted before June.
Stay Flexible
That being said, we want to encourage couples who DO have to reschedule to be flexible and consider all the options you have available.
Having a Friday or Sunday wedding is a great option for rescheduling. It may not be what you had planned, but if it means you can keep all of the vendors you had originally loved, trusted, and hired, the sacrifice is worth it! Being flexible on the day of the week can offer so many more options, and it’s a bit cheaper than a Saturday with us!
Stay Positive
Finally, remember that a positive attitude goes a long way. I was a bride just a few months ago -- I have all the sympathy in the world for how disappointing and frustrating and emotional this is! We are here ready to help in every way we can, and we’re on your side!
Supporting Community Restaurants
If you want to help your friends is the restaurant industry, do take advantage of those offering take out meals.
Here in Orange, we have several restaurants and breweries who are offering take out menus and growler fills so that you can take a break from cooking and look forward to a little drive! Here’s a list of some of the small businesses that we know are open. We’ve linked to their Facebook pages so you can get the most up to date info on hours and offerings!
Provisions Market Table — I can personally vouch for Burger Saturday! They are excellent!
Iron Pipe Alewerks — Top notch pizza & beer, of course!
Wise Guys — Also offering delivery in town!
Check social media to see their options, hours, and menus! This is a huge help to keep our relatively new restaurants in business!
Again, we want to encourage everyone to positive and healthy during this time. Our hope is that if we all do our best to STAY HOME and stay healthy, we will see this Stay at Home mandate lift sooner than expected. We are always reminding ourselves that when we DO get back to normal and we DO get to celebrate marriage and babies and birthdays and graduations again, it will be that much sweeter!