SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (WTHR) – The ban on gatherings of 50 people or more because of the coronavirus pandemic has forced the postponement of many weddings.
Catherine Richards and Tyson Conrady sent out announcements at Christmastime asking people to save the date of April 25. That’s the day they planned to be married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shelbyville, with a reception to follow at Hidden Brook Acres.
But the COVID-19 crowd restrictions forced them on Monday afternoon to postpone their wedding day.
"Our honeymoon was supposed to be in Disney World,” said Richards. “Obviously, they're closed until the end of the month. We're also supposed to go on a cruise. We keep getting emails about how it may happen or may not happen. So, with everything happening, we just postponed it."
Tyson and Catherine expected over 100 guests at their wedding events. The couple still wants to have a church ceremony for family and friends, they just don't know when that will be. Finding a new date is not their biggest concern right now. Catherine is laid off as the assistant manager at Republic Theatres, which have closed at least for the rest of the month due to COVID-19 precautions.
Tyson owns part of local radio station WSVX 96.5 FM. But when advertising dropped from businesses hurt by the coronavirus restrictions, he stopped taking a salary as director of corporate operations so other employees still get paid.
"There's a lot of people that are really struggling right now,” said Conrady, who also serves on the Shelbyville City Council. “Just because we're canceling the wedding, in the grand scheme of life that's really kind of minor."
"I just have to remember that the day will come,” said Richards. “It's not over. It's just a change of date. My magical day will be there."
"It is really about the reception?” Conrady asked rhetorically. “Is it really about all the extra stuff that comes with it? It's nice to celebrate. But let's be honest. It's about teamwork.”
“And at the end of the day we have each other,” Richards added. “So that's the most important part."
For better or worse, even before they say "I do."