Cancellation of Overseas Wedding Due to Coronavirus: What to Do if You Decline the Travel Allowance?

2020.04.24 published

Consultation received by marry.

Events such as the Tokyo Marathon and the public visit to the Imperial Palace have been canceled, and more companies are promoting remote work from home.

The impact of the novel coronavirus is expanding not only overseas but also in Japan.

It seems that weddings are also being affected, and we received the following consultation at marry.

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We were scheduled to have our wedding in Cebu in three weeks, but we canceled due to concerns about the novel coronavirus.

With news urging us to refrain from commuting and traveling, we feel it's unfair to ask our guests to travel abroad for the wedding.

Therefore, we decided to cancel the ceremony considering the guests who would have attended.

We intend to cover the cancellation fees for the guests’ flights and hotels, but we believe many of them will likely decline to attend.

In that case, I am troubled about whether it's acceptable to accept their kindness and keep the money, or if we should return it to them via cash registered mail since we are the ones who canceled the plans.

What would you all do?

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Here are all the responses we gathered.

【Answer 1】

Since it’s likely that the money was given with good intentions as a celebration...

Of course, I would convey that I will return it, but if they say they wish to decline, I think it’s good to express gratitude and accept it...!

【Answer 2】

For now, since it’s the other party's goodwill, I think it's okay to accept it! I believe there will be some who want to celebrate!

However, I think it would be better to consider this separately and send the cancellation amount back with a cash registered mail and a message or letter included!!

【Answer 3】

If you plan to have the ceremony on another date, I think it would be better not to accept the money.

【Answer 4】

If I canceled it by my own decision, I would return the full amount.

【Answer 5】

It’s difficult, but... how about accepting it and then sending a gift in return?

【Answer 6】

I would accept it and return a thank-you gift.

【Answer 7】

Since canceling a wedding incurs costs, I feel inclined to want to receive it...

However, if there's a chance to reveal the ceremony or reception in a different form on another occasion, I wouldn't want to accept the money, just the sentiment.

I think it would be a waste of a precious opportunity if the number of guests who would come next time decreases or if we feel burdened.

【Answer 8】

No one is at fault, but I think money that has nowhere to go should be returned❣️

A similar conversation came up at my workplace today! There seem to be a lot of cancellations.

And, it turns out that covering the costs for the celebration, hair/makeup, and dress is surprisingly tough! 😂

It’s also nice to consider hosting a party later on an invitation basis for those who contributed! 🎀

【Answer 9】

I think whether or not you intend to hold the wedding again in the future plays a role. If you don’t pay the cancellation fee and have to cancel again, it might be difficult to invite guests for another wedding. If you choose not to invite them, it could be a significant burden if they want to give a gift to celebrate.

【Answer 10】

Celebrations are acts of goodwill, so I think it’s okay to accept them... In return, you should offer a suitable gift.

【Answer 11】

How about returning half to those who declined?

【Answer 12】

A wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and although it can't be helped, it’s a shock 😢. If it were me, I'd appreciate the gifts given as their good intentions, and I would probably return something around half or a third of the amount as a thank you. ☺️🌷

【Answer 13】

I would send something else instead. Some may be confused by receiving cash.

【Answer 14】

Depending on the amount and who was supposed to attend, I would decide to accept it.

If it’s given as a gesture of goodwill for celebration, it feels a bit awkward to return it💦

If it were me, I would gratefully accept it, and also send a small token of appreciation with a note of thanks. 🙇‍♀️

Thank you for your responses.

By the way, the survey results were as follows.

39% of participants would gratefully accept it.

However, 61% would choose to decline.

This time the cancellation was due to the risk of the coronavirus, but similar concerns arise during major typhoons, earthquakes, and disasters.

I have thought about how I would like to handle it, how others would want me to handle it, and what would make me happy.

➡︎ To see how marry considered handling guest interactions, refer to this article.