Cancelling amidst corona virus and other listener questions.

Hi Dishers,

We prerecorded this mini episode last week but decided to share it today due to its timeliness and not wanting to save the episode for release next week and share outdated information.

One of our listeners asks about potentially having to cancel her wedding and how she should handle it. Click to listen to our answers below.

Stay safe and healthy everyone and follow the recommendations of the CDC.

SHOW NOTES

Hi, ladies (and Clouseau)!

My boyfriend and I have been looking at rings and talking about getting engaged. I think that he's planning to propose in the Fall. 

Here's my question: How do you keep the element of surprise and romance when you know that the proposal is coming? 

xo, soon-to-be engaged in the West End — and dogmom of our Frenchie! Give Clouseau all the scratchies for me; love him!

Subject: Coronavirus and wedding planning

Hi, Dish Dames!

With all the hype about the coronavirus, I'm starting to get a littttttle bit worried about my wedding plans. We're getting married in just over a month and we couldn't be more excited. However, we both have HUGE families and large friend groups; some are local, some are traveling internationally.

We have over 250 confirmed guests (at the moment). We have only had two people back out of attending our wedding, but we've been hearing that a lot of our guests are concerned about the coronavirus.

We're getting married in Arlington and so far, there are no coronavirus cases reported in the Commonwealth of Virginia, but we're worried about our loved ones, especially the older ones or those with compromised immune systems/medical problems, traveling.

We've put down non-refundable deposits and people have purchased airline tickets that are also non-refundable, so this feels like a lose-lose situation at this point (which really stinks because this is MY WEDDING DAY).

I'd appreciate any thoughts or insight you may have on this. I realize you're not the CDC or medical professionals, but I truly value your input into this very difficult situation — and I'm sure I'm not the only one experiencing this unfortunate situation.

Isn't a wedding supposed to be a happy time?! I mean, COME ON! 

Thanks in advance! Love you ladies — and Clouseau!

xo, Two grooms and the sweetest kitty

Subject: How much is appropriate to ask your guests to contribute to your celebration? 

We're having a very DIY wedding, located at my family's ranch, because we want it to be totally *us*. 

We want to ask our guests to participate in the wedding day, but we're a little bit worried about how much we can ask them to contribute to our celebration.

We'd like to ask my grandmother to bake her famous black forest cake, which can be done in advance, so we think that's ok. 

We considered asking our friends to do a pot-luck style event (each person brings their "signature dish"), but we're a little worried that might come off as us being cheap — have you ever heard of anyone doing something like this? Does it sound like we want everyone to be part of our special day (which is our intent) or like we're obligating our guests to do too much?

Keep dishing!

- Bride-to-be in Ballston

Subject: Destination Wedding — To Gift or Not to Gift

Hi, friends!

First, I want to thank you for doing this amazing podcast! It's awesome that I can not only gain insight into planning a wedding from couples but I also get to hear from wedding professionals — so dynamic! 

Ok, so here's my question: I am having a destination wedding and I'm wondering if I should ask for gifts? 

In the past, some of my friends have still asked for gifts for their weddings because they feel like they're giving everyone an excuse to take a vacation with friends/family. Others have told me that because there can be a heavy expense associated with attending a destination wedding that it's rude to ask for a gift on top of that.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance! Happy Spring!

- Engaged and Excited in DC