Weddings, pandemics don’t always mesh so well

Planning a wedding can be stressful. But what if you threw a pandemic into the mix.

According to a November 2021 report from the Nebraska News Service, COVID-19 created a ripple effect on the wedding industry with rescheduled weddings, safety adjustments for ceremonies and gatherings, procuring wedding necessities and new engagements leading to an increase in demand and prices.

It went on to say that the influx of weddings overwhelmed vendors with business.

There were many scheduling problems because of so many safety regimens, shipping problems and shortages plus venue availability problems that had to be dealt with.

The cost of flowers doubled due to the demand and the lack of crops planted, creating a shortage of staple flowers like white roses — if flowers were available at all.

Take a closer look at how COVID-19 has had an effect on weddings in rural Nebraska communities, more specifically Chase County — some problems trickled down to this community as well.

This neck of the woods

From a pastoral point of view, there were some changes since the pandemic began, but the changes and adjustments were similar to the rest of the country in some respects.

Fr. Lothar Gilde at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church commented that he didn’t think there were that many changes in rural Nebraska.

“From my perception, there haven’t been many differences with them (weddings). During 2020, some weddings were pushed off — just didn’t plan things as much,” said Gilde.

The main difference was limiting the number of family and friends who could attend, he said.

Gilde said they mainly spaced people and families in the pews.

Pastor Deb Copple of the First United Methodist Church said most people were aware that there may be changes in plans.

She talked about a wedding she performed in December 2020.

“The couple had planned their wedding to take place out of state, but at the last minute, they had to change their plan, so it took place here at the church,” said Copple.

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