Has COVID-19 changed weddings? | Ceremony Matters
Lois Heckman
All of the uncertainty surrounding COVID has had an effect.
I have been working with many couples who changed their wedding dates as many as three times (so far). It begs the question: Would it have been better to keep the original date and get married in a smaller gathering, or reschedule in the hope of having the wedding you intended?
Added to this dilemma are contracts signed and deposits made. Fortunately, most often the deposit can be applied to a new date, and most venues have been doing everything they can to help. I’ve been impressed by how kind they have been in the process of change, change, and more change for their clients, in light of the financial losses their businesses are experiencing.
Honoring the loss of a pet: How and why to have a pet funeral | Ceremony Matters
Lois Heckman
Do not overlook or downplay it. Mourning a pet is really very important. Our pets are part of our families and when one dies it’s crushingly painful. They have often seen us through difficult times and joyous times, they are companions who never judge us and give us unconditional love. Don’t let anyone ever tell you to “just get over it” or “you’ll get another dog” (cat, whatever). Maybe you will get another pet, but the death of your animal companion, your furry or feathered friend, is a painful loss.
Ceremony is essential | Ceremony Matters
Lois Heckman
Today we are relaunching Pocono Wedding Talk now called Ceremony Matters. Because I have been covering more than weddings for quite a while, it seemed beyond due time to acknowledge that. You can look for Ceremony Matters in the Sunday paper once a month both in print and online versions of the Pocono Record. Thank you to Pocono Record Managing Editor Ashley Fontones for her support.
I’ve covered a lot of ground since I began writing this column way back in 2006. And it has served me well because I find weddings endlessly interesting, especially the history, customs and traditions involved. Regardless of what is happening in the world, such as the pandemic people still need ceremonies.