With large gatherings banned in many places — and many people feeling uncomfortable gathering even in places where they are allowed — weddings have looked very different in 2020. Some couples have canceled or postponed their weddings, while others have downsized their guest lists dramatically. These changes have not only affected the couples but have also had an effect on wedding guests, venues and vendors.

Wedding Etiquette: How Much To Give (and Spend)

And it’s not just planning that’s been affected, but the finances of all the stakeholders involved. See how the pandemic has shaped wedding-related finances this year.

Last updated: Dec. 17, 2020

Couples Are Budgeting For Smaller Weddings

Due to the pandemic and size limits on gatherings, many couples who got married this year opted for smaller, intimate celebrations — a trend that may persist even after the pandemic is long gone. Brides’ 2020 American Wedding Study found that 47% of couples are planning to downsize their guest list.

A major pro of these smaller weddings is the smaller budget needed to pay for them.

Read: 19 Effective Ways To Tackle Your Budget

Brides May Be Willing To Spend More on Dresses

Smaller weddings don’t mean smaller dress budgets — it could actually mean the opposite, Raya Sokolyanska, senior analyst at Moody’s, told CNBC.

“A scaled-down ceremony should not hurt gown demand,” she told the news channel. “In fact, I would think that the dress would get a bigger slice of that budget if you’re not spending on a 150-person wedding. You will just reallocate to other items in your budget.”

Afford More: 20 Things To Sell for Extra Money During the Pandemic

Couples May Have Had To Contend With Lost Deposits

Couples who have had to cancel or postpone weddings may not receive all (or any) money back from venues, caterers and other vendors that they have paid deposits to. Contracts don’t necessarily account for pandemics as a cause for cancellation, so it might be difficult to make a case for a refund, The New York Times reported.

Take a Look: How Emergencies Like the Coronavirus Expose Nonsense Business Practices

Honeymoons Are Going Local (and Likely Getting Cheaper)

Couples who got married this year might not have been able to travel to their dream destinations for their honeymoons, which has led to what The Knot has dubbed the “nanomoon.” These smaller honeymoons involve local exploration, such as visiting a nearby winery or taking a road trip to see national parks. A “nanomoon” might be less extravagant than what was originally planned, but it’s likely a lot cheaper, too.