If you're a bride or groom whose wedding date was affected by Coronavirus: we are so sorry and we're here for you!

While we wish we could do so much more for you (truly we do!) we've been trying our best to offer COVID-19 related expert guides on how to effectively postpone your wedding date, how to comfort your devastated bride bestie, sharing gorgeous & affordable gowns that will ship asap for an impromptu elopement & live chats with our resident bridal stylist Christina.

But once you've crossed the t's and dotted the i's on your hopeful new wedding date, what do you do for the original one? While we're sure it'll be hard to truly ‘celebrate' on what was supposed to be your day for “I do's” our friends at Be Inspired PR rounded up expert advice on how to honor your original wedding day…

1. Dress Up

“Dress up and celebrate the wedding date you planned. Don’t wear your wedding gown and tux just yet…but you can still get dressed up in an elegant dress for her and a nice suit for him. Celebrate with a dinner at home, eat cake, take fun photos dressed up, practice your wedding dance and make the day something special that you’ll still want to remember every year.” – Matt Ramirez, Senior VP of Marketing at Generation Tux

2. Take a Trip Down Memory Lane

“Break out the Old Photos. If there were ever a time to reminisce about your relationship, today's the day! Use your would-have-been wedding date to remember how it all began. Go through old photos, read those old love notes or emails you saved, and laugh about the stories of how the two of you met or began your courtship. And of course, take the time to remind your partner what it is you love about them. Use your original date to fall in love all over again.” – Jenna Miller, Creative Director, Here Comes the Guide

3. Craft a Romantic Night In

“Plan a Stay-at-home Soirée. Temporarily ditch all your stress and anxiety in favor of a romantic at-home date night. Pull out all the stops: Get dressed to the nines, make a fancy dinner, pop a bottle of champagne, turn on the music, and dance under the stars. It's a fabulous way to reconnect with your partner and, even amidst all this craziness and uncertainty, to remember that love ALWAYS wins.” – Jenna Miller, Creative Director, Here Comes the Guide

4. Plan a DIY Spa Date

“Have a Self-Care Staycation. Take a bubble bath (together or separately!), do a luxurious face or hair mask, make yummy spa water, and give each other pedicures or massages! You two deserve to be pampered after this whirlwind wedding journey—so throw on those fuzzy bathrobes and slippers, put some cucumber slices on your eyes, lay back, and act like you're honeymooning at the Ritz.” – Jenna Miller, Creative Director, Here Comes the Guide

5. Go Easy on Yourselves

“Give yourself permission to laugh, to cry, to take action, or do nothing at all. If you want to sit on the couch with your fiancé and binge watch Netflix all day, do it! If you want to put together some sort of celebration to pay tribute to the day, do it! But don't feel like you have to. This pandemic was a serious blow to your wedding vision, and it's okay to feel the feels. How you spend the “original” date is up to you and no one else.” – Jenna Miller, Creative Director, Here Comes the Guide

Photo by Katie Pritchard via Green Wedding Shoes at Villa Royale

6. Hire Your Wedding Caterer for the Night

Touch base with your caterer. “We love the idea of asking your wedding caterer for a dinner for two option to order on the original wedding date. Maybe something to pick up, like the chosen menu from the reception, and have a picnic, or dinner at home to celebrate the original date! It’s definitely one way to celebrate not one, but two anniversaries!” – Sarah Kuhlberg, Creative Director, Colette's Catering

7. Champagne & Dancing

“Pop some bubbly and have a first dance! After all, you were going to be celebrating on that day anyway. This can also serve as a dress rehearsal for the new date just to make sure the rhythm is still in check!” – Racquel Guyton, St. Germain Design & Co.

8. Support Small Businesses

“Order-in. Small businesses like caterers, bars, and restaurants are looking for ways to stay busy and feed their fans. Find out if your favorite restaurant (or even your wedding caterer!) is doing to-go meals and pick up your favorite dishes from them. Supporting small businesses and treating yourselves? Win-win.” – Noelle Ahmad-Snedegar, Lily & Grayson Events

9. Preview Your Signature Cocktails

“Celebrate now, party later! We are encouraging our couples to still have something. We are helping our clients as well as others to have something virtual with all of their guests starting with a cocktail hour with your signature drink, followed by some dancing or games after! If you are wanting to keep it small and intimate with just you and your fiancé, get dressed up, pop that bottle of champagne and put on your first dance song and dance together. Celebrating this day is a must!” – Erica Trombetti, Infinite Events

10. Plan a Zoom Party

“Plan an extra special date night with your fiancé. Follow your romantic dinner date up with a virtual Zoom party that includes your closest family and friends. You might also include a prompt for guests to share their favorite wedding advice or a heartfelt story about your relationship on the video call.” – Jessica Carrillo, Owner & Lead Planner, Art & Soul Events

11. Hire Your Photographer for the Day

Escape from reality with a romantic picnic in your backyard, patio, or favorite place (as long as it’s open, of course!) This could be a great time to check with your photographer to see if they are open to a porch session or a distanced photo session to capture this at-home outing or even for a second round of engagement photos. – HoneyFitz Events

12. Order a Wedding Cake & Take Polaroids

On the day that your wedding “date” passes you by whether you decide to elope or not, cherish the day together with a picnic on your living room floor and lit candles and decor you planned on using in your wedding!

Sit in your backyard with wine or champagne and make a toast to each other while you plan a bucket list for your marriage and future. Include a special cake made just for you two from your favorite vendor or local bakery. Spend the evening capturing memories of that day by taking polaroid photos of the food, the cake, the wine, the decor and yourselves.

If you do reschedule your wedding for a later date, those polaroid photos could be framed and on display at each table for all your guests to see and celebrate bigger, that you survived your first storm and that they're all there in person this time to finally celebrate your union. – Kimberlee Brooke Thomas, Kimberlee Brooke Photography

13. Exchange Vows & Gifts

Exchange vows and rings on your original date, and renew them with friends and family when you're allowed to have your wedding celebration. Consider even having the date engraved on your bands. If you'd rather wait to get “officially” married in front of friends and family, consider exchanging your wedding gifts with each other on your original date. Grooms often give brides jewelry as a wedding day gift, and this way you can start enjoying your extra sparkle even sooner! – Kaeleigh Testwuide, Founder & Owner, The Diamond Reserve

14. Hold a Special Ceremony of Sorts

Have a small commitment ceremony at home just the two of you, and give yourselves permission to wear your wedding rings for the day and Reenact your proposal on your original date! – Kaeleigh Testwuide, Founder & Owner, The Diamond Reserve

Photo by Claire Eliza via Bridal Musings

Is Coronavirus effecting your wedding plans & dress shopping? Find all of our COVID-19 wedding help here.

These tips were gathered by Be Inspired PR, a PR + Social Media Agency for wedding, wellness & lifestyle clients. With over 10+ years of experience, we’re here to take our clients to the next level! Find oodles of stylish wedding inspiration on their Instagram & Pinterest.