Coronavirus: Wedding, Hopes of Prospective Couples Dashed

By Akinwale Kasali

Linda Amadi had been patiently waiting for Saturday March 28th, 2020. It was going to be her day.  She was expected to tie the nuptial nuts with her fiance of four years.

She had prayed fervently for that day, to join the League of married women and be addressed as ‘Mrs’.

But the celestial powers and nature changed the orbit to a different direction. The outbreak of the deadly Pandemic, Covid-19 has thwarted her dream. And there is date in mind for the rescheduling of the wedding.

Linda’s hopes  are  dashed.

Basically it is a long walk ahead, with different thoughts creeping through her mind after the government’s order that no gathering of more than 20 people at a time will be allowed to curtail the spread of Covid-19.

Three months ago, invitation cards had been distributed to friends, families, well wishers, colleagues for the solemnization of the union, but this is turning out to be an illusion.

Linda’s fate is the lot of most prospective couples who had fixed their wedding dates against this period. None had the premonition that it was not to be.

Last week Saturday, a couple had their wedding in a large hall at the Oregun axis of Lagos State. But  due to the State’s directives of no crowd or gatherings beyond 20 people, the large hall was empty.

The Bride wept profusely, as resources had been wasted. The Priest was there to join the couple in Holy Matrimony.

The couple had to order the caterer to pack the foods and drinks in  takeaways, and proceeded to Capitol road in Agege to distribute the food to destitute, beggars and children around the area.

In a chat with another prospective Couple who are billed to get married on 5th March, 2020, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, on Akinola Road, Aboru, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, and the reception billed to hold at Jedaz Event Centre on Iyana Ipaja- Aboru Link Road,  confusion reigned.

The groom is proposing a shift in date following the government directives, but the Bride is scared that this may see their relationship hitting the rock, and bringing a spiritual thinking that it is a device and plot by the devil to make her remain a Spinster at 34 years.

No doubt, the  COVID-19 disease ravaging the world is having a toll on the future of prospective couples, which may lead to the postponement of  planned marriages.

According to Dr. Pius Ogbulafor, a  marriage Counselor, “This is a critical stage in the lives of prospective Couples, especially Women who could end up been emotionally traumatized and downtrodden due to the change in date of their day of joy.

“Anxiety can lead to depression, which could make them lose their sanity. It is a shock. After the failure of that date to come to pass, procrastination may set in, spiritual beliefs, Family culture and tradition may set in and superstitious beliefs may halt the marriage forever.

“The couples may find another partner within this short period which may Destabilise their marriage plans, while some planned marriages may still go ahead after the extinction of the Coronavirus”.

Event planners, photographers, Caterers and other Social events actors are not left out as weddings, birthday parties and other functions are being  stalled, after payments or deposits  have been made.  Refunds are the only language renting the air presently.

This has however crippled, soiled and destroyed business relationships because having collected money from clients, the event vendors would have commenced preparations, making it impossible to refund the money.

According to a Photographer, Solid Rock Photography, “I am presently battling a client who wants me to refund the money he paid due to the government directives and the said postponement of their wedding.

“He wants a 100 percent outright refund and I told him that have also made preparations and have spent money so am offering him 70 percent refund while he parts away with 30 percent, because I can’t be at losing end outrightly”.