To wear the dress or to not wear the dress?!

I am somewhat in your shoes and getting married this July as well! In what will be very small of course. We've invited our extended family and the wedding party but who knows who will all be able to make it. Anyway, we're still dressing up, doing our photos, having our big cake, doing a head table for the both of us. We want to make it special and have those little memories to look back on. I personally couldn't imagine not being married in my dress, so there's no second thoughts about it for me! If we do an anniversary party next year, maybe I'll wear something more casual for that.

Do what feels right for you. You can always save the dress and get a cute simple dress for the day, which you can wear again for your anniversary after party or rehearsal dinner. Or wear it and get a kther beautiful dress next year.
Yes on the H/MU and photos. You chose the day because it means a lot to you, be beautiful, immortalize the moments. And yoi can have a bugger photographer next year.
I'm sorry you were touched by this pandemic. All.the best to you 2, congratulations.

You make great arguments for and against! I think I would go for it, wear the dress, get done up to the nines, etc. I definitely don’t think it’s overkill - this is an enormously special moment in your life / love story and you should feel like a queen ☺️
And then you can still have the special moment getting dressed with your mother and sisters next year!!
Anyway congrats and good luck with whatever you decide!

You decide on how you want to do it since your FH will see the dress one way or the other of you wearing your dress this year. Then next year you get ready as originally planned and do the same for formal pictures. The photographer can take pictures still if he/she is present.

Casual dress this year if decided to make it simple and easy so you save the dress for your husband to see it the first time being excited to see you in your dress. Your mom and sister can still be part of the pictures as they get ready with you and have the formal event properly as you celebrate the vow renewal. Your pictures will be beautiful with guests surrounding you in your dress.

It's entirely up to you. Don't feel like anyone can pressure you in either direction because even though it isn't plan A it's still your day.


I will be wearing mine for our small ceremony this year and our reception next year. At this point we don't know how many people will be able to attend (border closure) and if we will be able to have a gathering come October when we could be in a second wave. To me I want the wedding moment no matter how small, we're still having our photographer because I want to capture the moments of both events. I'm worried if I don't wear it this year it won't fit or I'll want something different next year and I'll have wasted a lot of money on the dress.

This is up to you. We are doing something similar. I am wearing my dress and doing exactly as i was before ie hair and make up. We are recording the ceremony for family who cant come and redoing the ceremony we had planned around our one year anniversary.

It's totally up to you. Here's my thought process on making my own decision on this:

Personally I think the ceremony (regardless of who can come, and whether or not it's a plan B) is THE most important day of my life, still. So for me it's more important to wear my original wedding dress on the day I am actually getting married... since it's my wedding dress after all! I am also having my hair and makeup done, and my original photographer will be there. I am hopeful that next year we will be able to spend less time taking photos (not going to bother with getting ready photos next year) and could even spend cocktail hour with our guests instead of out being photographed the whole time. I don't really want duplicate photos of everything. I'm still going to have a lovely morning this year getting ready with my mom and MOH.

I am also considering getting a 2nd wedding dress for next year to treat myself for the stress of everything ha ha but we shall see.

I am going through the exact same thing right now and I am wondering what to do myself. I say that if you have the dress, I think you should wear it. Some of the brides who legally got married during Covid didn't get their dress on time because they were in alterations or for another reason so they had to pick out a simple white dress. If you have it, then I think you should. Also, you mentioned that if you don't wear it, you're scared you might regret it. Well, let's say you do end up wearing it in the end, will you regret that? Probably not. I bet you would be happy you wore it! Also, you mentioned it wouldn't feel the same without your mom and sisters, but you can smile and be happy knowing they will see you with the dress again at your vow renewal! So its basically the fact that you are wearing it twice. Nothing wrong with that. I know everyone has a different opinion. Better twice than once right?


Also in terms of the photographer, that's tricky. I've been wondering the same thing myself what to do. If they lift the ban to 10 in Ontario then yes I will have my photographer document the photos but if they keep it at 5 then I would probably have my childhood friend take photos of us before and after the ceremony (keeping our social distance of course) - she is a photographer.
I hope this helps. I know everyone has a different opinion but just thought I would give mine 😊 all the best to you!

Not a bride but here are some thoughts from a dude:

-Despite having a party later on, if you're taking photos at the legal ceremony, you'll look back on this day. When I show my kids photos from the day, it would be cool to look my best.

-If you're getting married in a location where you get to enter the room and walk down the aisle, as a groom it would be an amazing moment to see my how beautiful my bride is in her wedding dress coming towards me.

-It's literally an excuse to wear the most expensive piece of clothing you'll purchase a second time.

-It'll add to making this "Plan B" a positive experience as you'll feel and look amazing.

-When others see the photos, it'll make them more eager to come see and celebrate with you in person when you host your party later on.