Their concerns range are on every aspect of the wedding. How many friends and family can attend? Do guests have to wear masks throughout the event? Can vendors fulfill their obligations under contracts signed in 2019 or prior?
All couples have modified their weddings in some way. For some, the wedding planning experience has been a nightmare. Tony Mastrangelo and his fiancée are planning a wedding for August 1 and are doing everything they can to ensure the wedding goes off without a hitch. This endeavor is almost impossible due to a lack of guidance from New York State.
"I know that our leaders don't have a crystal ball, but they should be able to say our numbers are low and gatherings can go up to 100," Mastrangelo said. "When I see Pennsylvania, which is an hour away, can have 250 people and we can only have 50? Or if you can have 150 at a graduation and 50 at a wedding? To me, what's the difference?"
Mastrangelo also pointed at an inconsistency in mask wearing policies, specifically, if people can sit at tables without a mask at a restaurant, why can't they do the same at a wedding?
The planning experience is possible but most have had to make last-minute changes.
Vendors like Ashley Miller, who operates Ashley's Culinary Creations in Lockport, said she's offered refunds to her clients who have postponed or cancelled their events, but acknowledged that it's hurt business.
Miller has to follow all the health protocols to ensure her business can continue, which is why she is in constant communication with the local health department. But like Mastrangelo, she is pleading for guidance from the governor's office.
Those involved in wedding planning could get more guidance as early as this week.
"We reached out to the Erie County executive and they're saying that July 14 they're hoping to have more guidelines as far as weddings are concerned." Miller said. "It's tough because I'm being told one thing from the health department but it's not really out there in the public. Brides and grooms are confused why I'm not allowed to do certain things when restaurants can do certain things."
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said last week she understands how difficult this has been on businesses.
"At the end of the day, we're going to maintain our infection rate," Hochul said last week. "We're going to have to ask people to follow the 50 person guidelines we have. It's up from 10 and up from 25…We are trying to loosen things up, as the governor says 'turn the dial back', open up society, but do it in a smart way where we don't have a wedding like they had in Texas where 18 people gathered and died. The groom died. We don't want to have that happen in the State of New York and that's why we're being cautious."
