Emma Erickson and Leo Mook spent April 25 walking the dog, picnicking in the misty rain in the park and watching the documentary “Spellbound,” the same movie they’d seen on their first date at the Rose Theater years ago.

It was also their wedding day.

“It was very bittersweet,” Erickson said.

There was no minister to pronounce them husband and wife, no flower girl, no groomsmen or music or cake or food. No photographer was there recording the day, no family was in attendance to hug; there was no honeymoon to follow.

All the plans for what was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives were thwarted by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“We started thinking about Plan B at the beginning of March,” Erickson said. “And when Governor Inslee first made the announcement to stay at home, it really hit home: ‘We need to postpone now.’”

All the invitations were not only sent out, but RSVP’d. They had to call all the vendors and guests and figure out a new date.

“We originally planned to postpone it until this summer,” Erickson said. “But in the first couple of weeks of April, it became clear that will not be a feasible plan for what we want. We want a large gathering with all our loved ones and friends. But we can’t put our family members at risk.”

Forging ahead

Some couples aren’t letting a pandemic get in the way of their wedding plans.

Reports have circulated about those who have chosen to get hitched outside—with 6-foot social distancing and a smaller gathering of guests—rather than in a crowded church. Some have Zoomed their weddings. Other couples have driven by all their friends’ homes, honking and waving, decked out in tux and gown, and finished the route by signing the paperwork.

Save the big bash for later.

That’s what Mercina Katsikapes plans to do.

Her big day is slated for Sept. 2, but even that far out, she’s thinking there might be only 10 people in attendance of the 50 family and friends she and her fiance had hoped for at their wedding in Eastern Washington.

“The flower girls are the four grandmas,” she said, “and they’re already driving out from Michigan. The two others are coming in from Alaska. I’m concerned for them.”

The event could still get postponed, but regardless, a big reception will be held at a later date.

Behind the scenes

Jessie Graves, the county recorder, said marriage license applications are still holding strong. In March of last year, 10 couples requested licenses; in April, the figure was 14, for a total of 24. For those same two months this year, the number is 22. The licenses are good for 60 days—and people might have to get a second one if they reschedule their weddings, Graves said.

And the interruptions don’t just affect the bride- and groom-to-be.

Couples put hefty — and often non-refundable — deposits down for the venue, caterers, photographers, musicians, the baker, florist and wedding planners.

One of those planners is Tanya Rublaitus of Port Townsend Weddings and Events, who had four weddings scheduled for this spring and summer. One was moved to the same weekend next year, a second has been postponed until the global pandemic is more predictable, a third has postponed their nuptials indefinitely, and a fourth couple is waiting until July 31.

“We’re all still wondering about that,” Rublaitus said of the late-July date. “Another sweet young couple is supposed to get married on the Fourth of July; they’re just not willing to call it yet. They’re so sweet and idealistic. I know they want me to tell them it’s going to be OK, but … I can’t.”

Rublaitus said she’s among the luckier of those who specialize in weddings, as she can fall back on her real estate license. Homes are still selling, she said.

But others aren’t so fortunate.

“It has a snowball effect,” she said. “One of my clients sent emails to all the vendors asking for their deposits back. One vendor said all their events were canceled. ‘There’s no money coming in, we’ve applied for one of these (federal business) loans.’”

Typically, vendors request a 50% deposit for weddings, Rublaitus said.

“Me, included,” she said. “That money’s long gone.”

Erickson and Mook hope they can park their deposits with their chosen vendors for their rescheduled wedding date, which has yet to be determined.

Couples’ reactions

No wedding and no couple is the same, Rublaitus said.

She has noticed, however, that the older couples who were derailed because of COVID-19 concerns have taken it more in stride than younger, excited duos.

“The couple who is dead set on getting married on the Fourth of July; they’re younger,” Rublaitus said. “The ones who are postponing it until 2021? They let Fort Worden know; they’re set. Another; they’re really excited for the celebration, but they got married two years ago, so they’re already married, but it’s the celebration they were excited to have.”

Not having any control over the coronavirus pandemic can bring out the best—“and sometimes the worst”—in people, she noted.

“If they do it too soon, and people who are invited are too scared,” Rublaitus said. “They’re not in control. ... I’m still all over the place, some days I’m fine, other days, I go down that dark abyss. It takes your breath away. I need to be the professional who says we’re going to get through this, but I’m also human.”

Erickson is trying to be practical, as well.

“We’re all going through hardships right now,” she said. “It’s disheartening to postpone your wedding. But postponing a celebration for Leo and me is a small hardship compared to what others in the community are going through enduring this.”

“Another hard piece is, we are all grieving what used to be,” Rublaitus added. “They have this dream of this perfect day and now it’s been questioned. Is it going to happen? When? What’s it going to look like? When you’re grieving, you surround yourself with loved ones to comfort each other with hugs and support, and we can’t do that right now.”

The delay will give Erickson time to finesse the details of her big day — and she’s set a new goal. She wants to learn a dance, “something elegant and formal.”

“Now we have more time to do that,” she said with a laugh. “It’ll be worth the wait. And this experience is strengthening our partnership; it’s illuminating our flexibility and resilience. Maybe next year we’ll be even more in love than we are right now.”