Just in time for Valentine’s Day, professional dancers of Dancing with the Stars and World of Dance fame (and married couple!) Pasha Pashkov and Daniella Karagach have teamed up with Zola to host __[Zola Presents: The First Dance with Pasha & Daniella](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDjqY3FHGyj84hM34BMN5LN-TvYiAyMTVosBAeNEIQPgD1mg/viewform)__, a free salsa dance class on February 11 at 9 pm EST/ 6 pm PST. 

The 30-minute virtual class is open to all Zola couples, so grab your partner and get ready to spice up your date night! Whether you’re newly engaged and looking to learn some new moves before the big day or you’ve been married for years, let Pasha and Daniella show you why your First Dance shouldn’t be your last.

Zoom links will be emailed to participants following registration. __[Register by February 10 at 11:59pm to reserve your spot.](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDjqY3FHGyj84hM34BMN5LN-TvYiAyMTVosBAeNEIQPgD1mg/viewform)__

__Zola Presents: The First Dance with Pasha & Daniella__
- __When:__ February 11, 2021 @ 9 pm EST / 6 pm PST
- __Where:__ Your place, via Zoom
- __How to Join:__ [Register Here.](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDjqY3FHGyj84hM34BMN5LN-TvYiAyMTVosBAeNEIQPgD1mg/viewform) (Zoom Link to Follow)

![Daniella & Pasha 1](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6ckYklFCKw6QSzTCgqMKLu/7d03b90c696ae2ba8f635f3f2f5dc54c/IMG_0848__1_.jpg) *Photo Credit* // Daniella Karagach and Pasha Pashkov


How Couples Are Shifting Priorities, Mindsets, And Relationships As They Reimagine Their Weddings 

Zola and Black Girls CODE Cement Long-Term Partnership 

Here’s How Couples are Rethinking their 2020 Honeymoons

36 Wedding Send-Off Ideas To Say Goodbye in Style

Wedding Reception Timeline Ideas + Template

10 Things to Look For in a Wedding Reception Venue

Top 130 Wedding Registry Ideas for 2022 (For Every Budget!)

Inside Zola

Zola Presents: The First Dance with Pasha & Daniella

Insights & Data

For many engaged couples, COVID-19 not only upended wedding plans but also many dream honeymoons. And, while we totally understand that a postponed vacation may feel insignificant as we’ve turned our attention to this global pandemic, we also understand that, for our affected couples, this experience is stressful and, of course, disappointing.  It’s not all bleak, though. In fact, just as couples are pivoting their wedding plans and rethinking safer (but no less stunning) ways to celebrate, they’re also rethinking their travel priorities—and still planning to get away. 

In [partnership with Travelzoo](https://www.travelzoo.com/collection/zola/?&source=zola2020#utm_source=Zola2020&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=FirstMoon), we surveyed over 500 engaged couples with original wedding dates in 2020 and found that about ½ of couples are still planning a quick trip this year. 

__Welcome First Moons__, the latest wedding tradition to come as a result  of COVID-19. A First Moon is a  getaway on or around the original wedding date for those couples with postponed honeymoon plans. These trips are shorter, closer, and more affordable than what most couples originally planned, but still romantic, special, and memorable—and, according to our survey, ⅓ of couples plan to take one. [Travelzoo even curated a collection of First Moon ideas](https://www.travelzoo.com/collection/zola/) to help couples in their search for affordable and flexible travel ideas. 

Our survey, which was executed in our Facebook Community, also offered unique insights about other ways couples are continuing to plan and re-plan their honeymoons, how their travel priorities have shifted, and where they’re going. Here are the full results: 

## Here’s How COVID-19 Affected Honeymoon Plans for 95% of Couples
- 46% of couples are still planning to travel this year
 - 30% postponed their honeymoon, but they are taking an First Moon this year 
 - 11% of couples are honeymooning this year, but to somewhere closer to home and more convenient 
 - 5% are still embarking on the honeymoon they had originally planned
- 26% of couples are in a “wait and see” pattern and have delayed booking  
- 19% postponed their entire honeymoon to a later date
- 9% of couples canceled their original honeymoon and are waiting to rebook

### When it comes to re-planning, flexibility is now a top priority.
- 95% of couples said it’s important to them to book a flexible trip that can be easily changed
- 90% said they would be more likely to book a trip this year that was fully refundable with no cancellation fees 

### Trips in 2020 are on average shorter, more budget-conscious, and closer to home.
- The average First Moon is 4-6 nights 
- Couples are spending between $1,000 - $3,000, compared to the average of $5,000 spent on a traditional honeymoon 

__Regardless of when and where they’re traveling, celebrating with their partner is their #1 priority.__

Their other top priorities are:

2. Traveling safely
3. Booking flexible travel
4. Ultimately, taking the trip of a lifetime they’ve always dreamed of 
5. Taking a First Moon this year and a honeymoon next year

#### 88% of rescheduled honeymoons and First Moons are in the U.S, compared to only 20% of honeymoons that were originally booked in the U.S. 

Regional and domestic destinations are perfect for First Moon trips because they are easy to plan, easy to budget, and allow couples to have solid control of their getaway. When it comes to First Moons: 

- 55% of couples plan to travel within the same region where they live
- 35% said they would travel anywhere in the country
- 12% are comfortable traveling to a nearby overseas escape 
- The vast majority of couples prefer to drive over traveling by plane

Here’s a look at the top __original__ honeymoon destinations couples planned to travel to in 2020, compared to their rebooked destinations:

#### Top original honeymoon destinations
1. Europe
2. Caribbean
3. Hawaii
4. Mexico
5. Asia

#### Top rebooked 2020 travel destinations
1. Continental US
2. Mexico
3. Alaska
4. Hawaii
5. Caribbean

#### Just like weddings are moving outdoors, so are honeymoons and First Moons. 
Here’s how couples are comfortable traveling this year: 

- Participating in outdoor activities: 90%
- Driving to a domestic destination: 85%
- Renting a private home: 77%
- Staying in a hotel or staying with friends and family: 63%
- Dining at restaurants: 53%
- Renting an RV: 35%
- Traveling by plane: 31%
- Participating in indoor activities: 26%
- Taking a cruise: 3%

#### Despite major planning changes, couples are still looking to dream about and book their honeymoon.
- 27% of couples said that they stayed positive during this tough year by dreaming about their honeymoon 

As a company, we believe that health and wellbeing is the top priority, and so we urge all couples to check with the [CDC’s latest guidelines regarding safe travel](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html). 

Surveys

2020 is the year couples juggled RSVP cards, virtual weddings and registry gifts with social distancing, political activism, and WFH. It has been a wild year for all, and most definitely for engaged couples navigating wedding planning around COVID-19.  

In order to really understand how couples are adjusting their plans, and to best support our entire community, we surveyed 2,223 couples with weddings between March 2020 - December 2022, most of whom were originally planning to get married this year. And, we weren’t upset with the findings. 

Despite all of the heartbreak caused by this global pandemic, and the fact that 2,200 couples surveyed did have to alter their plans in some way, the general feeling is, of course, sadness, but mixed with a heavy dose of optimism, relief and support. Couples still do want to have the perfect day they’ve dreamed about -- but 81% believe that dream is achievable even if their look, location and/or date has to change. Through it all, couples are even more in love, they’re feeling confident in the decisions they’ve made together, they cannot wait to get married, and they’re embracing, not rejecting, new plans.

Read on for the full report, and check out the other COVID-19 resources we’re offering [here](https://welcome.zola.com/covid-19-resource/).

__Most Couples Affected by COVID-19 Are Celebrating In 2021, Prioritizing a Time and Place When Most (but not all) Loved Ones Can Attend__

*How couples are moving forward:* 
- 62% are postponing, most choosing to celebrate one year from their original date
- 38% are delaying their entire wedding 
- 24% are tying the knot in 2020, but are delaying their larger reception  
- 28% reduced their guest list to keep their ceremony and reception on their original date
- 7% are diving right into newlywed life, opting for an elopement 
- 3% pressed pause on wedding planning, or cancelled their nuptials altogether 

*When couples are getting married:*
- 92% who’re postponing have already booked a new date
- 65% of celebrations are scheduled for 2021, most scheduled for April - September 
- 24% of postponements are still on for late in 2020 
- 54% chose a date that they believe will avoid Covid-19, 38% think there may even be a vaccine

*What couples are prioritizing:*
- Couples #1 priority is to have most (but not all) friends & family in attendance, the #2 priority is to legally marry as soon as possible, and the #3 priority is to keep the same wedding vendors 

## 8 Key Takeaways About How Couples Are Feeling Right Now 

1. __Stressed.__ Our [2018 survey](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/5-effective-ways-to-fight-wedding-planning-stress) found that 40% of couples used the terms “very” and “extremely” to describe wedding planning stress, but now that that percentage has increased to 72%. 

2. __Relieved, and excited to redefine their “dream” wedding.__ A significant 25% are feeling relieved and finding consolation in the extra planning time. 10% are also excited to re-prioritize.

3. __Confident in their new timeline, and ready to get creative.__ 3 out of 4 couples postponed their wedding one time, while 1 out of 4 postponed two or three times. However, 70% feel at ease about their new timeline and 50% are even accepting that some loved ones will RSVP “no” because of health or travel limitations.

4. __Emotional about the political climate beyond Covid-19.__ Zola’s 2018 survey identified the greatest outside stressors to be budget, the quest for perfection and the pressure of social media. In 2020 the #2 stressor is navigating the current political landscape, including the Black Lives Matter movement and the upcoming election. 97% of couples are stressed about this, many channeling that stress into action with 88% having more political discussions at home, 26% making a charitable donation and 13% participating in a march together.

5. __Reprioritizing newlywed milestones due to the pandemic’s financial and mental impact__. For 35% of couples, at least one partner was laid off and/or received a salary cut. And, for 34% of couples, at least one partner is dealing with mental health struggles. As a result, 24% are delaying a home purchase, 21% are delaying finding a new job, and 19% are putting plans to have or adopt a child on hold. Another hard pill to swallow - 12% of experienced the loss of a loved one due to the virus. 

6. __Optimistic and supported.__ 92% remain hopeful during this time, with 82% of couples finding strength and support from their partner. 59% have also relied on their wonderful team of wedding vendors as they rethink their big event(s). Other ways that couples are staying positive include retail therapy (52%), taking up a new hobby (32%), and going to therapy (15%). 

7. __Ultimately, they’re more in love than ever.__ 55% of couples have a stronger relationship now than just six months ago, and only 10% feel their relationship is strained. So, while the global pandemic has turned so many parts of life upside down, relationships aren’t one of them. 

8. __Thrilled to be married.__ Couples who got married between March - September 2020 described their big day as stressful, but they also described it to be “absolutely the best,” “perfect and intimate,” “happy and loving,” “calm,” and “very meaningful.” Here are how real Zola couples described their recent wedding:

*“We had our wedding as planned on June 20th. We had 12 people by our side, and 130+ people online. It was a fantastic day, and most people stayed online with us for 3 hours! We were extremely happy with how it all turned out.”*

*“We had a small ceremony with 20 guests (parents, siblings, and wedding party). It was truly a beautiful day. After all the stress and uncertainty, this whole process was a lesson in letting go, and we were fortunate to have something even more wonderful in its place.”*

*“We postponed our big reception with all of our friends and family to next year and eloped with 9 of our closest family members. It was the absolute best day ever. We got to choose the food we wanted without worrying about scaling to 120+ people like we were originally planning, the atmosphere was beyond relaxed, and it felt like a joyful dream to get to marry my best friend. I have no regrets about prioritizing the health and safety of my friends and family and pushing our big celebration to next year.”*

*“We got married in July at our original venue, which was entirely outdoors. I was a mess for a month before. But, once we got to the venue, I was able to let that go. It was no longer about stressing over what I wanted my wedding to be, but enjoying what it was--a day to make a promise to the love of my life and hear him make that promise back, with some food and dance thrown in for good measure. My bridesmaids were incredible at stealing away my stress, and our guests were genuinely so excited to be at a wedding that it made me happy just seeing them laughing. We spaced the tables and benches further apart than we would have normally, but people had fun anyways and it didn't feel like there was this crazy weight over us. It was truly the best wedding I could have had.”*

## Significant Trends In Wedding Replanning 

__Save the new virtual wedding date.__ 56% of couples are shrinking their guest list, but 49% are considering streaming their wedding for a longer-list of attendees. To support this surge in couples going virtual, the company unveiled a free feature called [Virtual Events](https://welcome.zola.com/weddingwebsite_alldevices_virtualweddings/) so couples can host any wedding event directly on their beautiful Zola wedding website. Over 4,000 Virtual Events have already been scheduled to take place on Zola just in 2020, and the company also has tips for [how to be a great virtual wedding guest](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-be-a-great-virtual-wedding-guest).

To have and to hold, safely and socially distanced. For almost all couples (96%) guest safety is a very important factor, and safety protocols are the new norm. Almost 100% did change wedding details to accommodate for COVID-19, and 3 out of 4 couples have already made a preliminary plan:
- 73% will have hand sanitizer stations and adjusted seating arrangements to accommodate for social distancing
- 62% will incorporate masks, either as suggested or as required
- 55% have changed their food service plan to be plated (for context, 64% of wedding meals were served buffet or family-style according to a 2017 Zola survey)
- 32% have moved their celebrations to an outdoor venue

__Smaller weddings do not equal smaller budgets.__ 88% of couples are tackling extra expenses and 29% are choosing to spend more on dream must-haves. For 27%, replanning has cost $1,000 - $5,000, which is significant considering [89% of Zola couples cover many or all of their own wedding expenses](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/why-married-millennial-couples-are-in-debt). Couples are spending on new invitations, duplicate services like photography for a two-part wedding, and even spending on hand sanitizer and masks. But there’s an upside - couples are focusing their budget on dream must-haves like a more gourmet meal, a videographer, and almost ½ of couples are shopping for an extra wedding day outfit online.

__Planning a wedding online is officially the norm.__ 3 out of 4 couples are shifting more of their wedding planning to be online, relying on Zola’s helpful tools to plan comfortably at home. 67% who were not considering shopping for wedding paper online now are, 55% of couples are scheduling virtual wedding vendor appointments, 46% are shopping for wedding apparel online, 18% are tasting their food and/or cake at home, and 12% of recently engaged couples are selecting their wedding venue via virtual tour. Over the past six months, Zola has rolled out many features to address these needs including [reception-only wedding invitations](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/save-the-date/shop?receptionOnly=elopementandvowrenewal), a [micro-wedding essentials collection](https://www.zola.com/shop/collection/micro-wedding-essentials) of in-stock wedding dresses, decor, masks and more, and [a vendor search product](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors) that connects couples to pre-screened wedding vendors across the country.

__There are best practices to uninvite and update guests.__ More than ½ of couples (57%) are choosing to text and call loved ones personally, which is no small feat considering most Zola weddings have on average 150 guests. But, the #1 way (67%) that couples are easily sharing their updated event details is via a banner on their wedding website, and 33% are also sending change the date cards. To help couples who’ve had to change course, Zola has pre-written announcements that can easily be added to the top of any Zola wedding website, and is also offering [change the dates](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/change-the-date/shop) for free with all save the date and wedding invitation purchases.

__Couples are arguing more, but not about wedding planning.__ 35% of couples reported an uptick in arguments, but when Zola asked for more details about common disagreements, the responses were priceless. Couples have argued about who drank all of the wine, what is the best brand of dog food, which bowl will fit the most amount of popcorn, what furniture can be used as at-home gym equipment, and if a dish drying rack is an appropriate wedding registry gift (it is). What was rarely mentioned was wedding planning, and in fact deciding how to move forward with the big day ranked as the least stressful part of replanning.

__With more time at home, wedding registries are the new shopping destination.__ With the majority of couples living together before marriage, the majority of engaged couples have sheltered in place together, too. 57% of couples said that they’ve been inspired to add more gifts to their registry, and 41% of couples have purchased gifts for themselves. Specifically, as couples cook, work, spend time outdoors, and cozy up their homes together, Zola has seen a lift in sales of [cookware](https://www.zola.com/shop/category/cookware), [bakeware](https://www.zola.com/shop/category/bakeware), [office furniture](https://www.zola.com/shop/category/office), [outdoor gear](https://www.zola.com/shop/category/outdoors), and [home decor](https://www.zola.com/shop/category/decor). The number of couples buying [bread makers](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/cuisinart_cbk200) have tripled, while the number of couples buying [grills](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/cuisinartgrill_kettle_charcoal_grill), [ice cream makers](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/cuisinart_icecreamauto), [kayaks](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/sevylor_fiji_2person_kayak), [desks](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/cratebarrel_helsing_desk) and [beach towels](https://www.zola.com/shop/product/welhome_cabana_beach_towel_set2_marigold) have doubled. Couples are also still going to receive their dream wishlist at some point, even if they reduce their guest list or go virtual: 90% of guests are planning to give a wedding gift no matter what. 

![Zola Replanning Report  Infographic](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5PGyKID4eSiYyA8mtSCPss/57c9715396533ccb5a577b9fc789a324/Replanning-infographic-v4.png)

At Zola, we support every couple’s right to marry, and are proud to have built a thriving community of over 1 million diverse and beautiful couples. We stand firm in our inclusive core values, and we simply have zero tolerance for discrimination and racism. Specifically, we condemn racism towards the Black Community, we unequivocally believe that Black Lives Matter, and we understand that slavery is one of the darkest periods in American history. Plantation weddings simply do not align with our company core values, and that is why we have created an official policy on this matter. 
 
We do not work directly with, and we do not promote, any wedding venue with a history of slavery. The Zola plantation wedding policy applies to any wedding venue that is currently described as a former slave plantation or was otherwise once used as a slave plantation or enslaved people on its premises, to the best of our knowledge. Before joining our trusted community, all vendors have to say “they do” to our Vendor Pledge of principles which include tolerance, acceptance and respect. 
 
It is also important to us that all couples feel safe and represented when browsing the gorgeous wedding photography we have on our site. Therefore, we do not allow the submission of any content or Real Wedding Inspiration that took place at a plantation wedding venue. 
 
We are privileged to support our couples throughout their entire planning journey, and to connect them to the best wedding vendors who will deliver the most outstanding wedding experience and bring their dream day to life. Zola will always be a place where everyone feels loved and appreciated. 

zola plantation policy venues and inspiration

Our Policy On Plantation Wedding Venues and Inspiration

‘Tis the season to celebrate all good things. Here at Zola, we’re celebrating a newly formed long-term partnership with Black Girls CODE—and we’re kicking off today with a special holiday donation. 

[Black Girls CODE](https://www.blackgirlscode.com/) introduces computer coding lessons to young and pre-teen girls of color to learn in-demand skills in tech and computer programming. At Zola, we believe in the importance of supporting and giving back to the next generation of female leaders. As a female-founded and majority female company, we know firsthand how these skills and the confidence in them can inspire girls to become the next generation of innovators in whatever field they choose. So, we’re thrilled to partner with Black Girls CODE this holiday season and beyond. 

From now through the end of the year, we’re donating 10% of net Holiday Card sales to Black Girls CODE (up to $30,000*—some exclusions apply, see below). With 200+ card designs, created with every type of family and celebration in mind, there’s really something for everyone. [Check out all of our Holiday Cards here.](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/holiday-cards/shop) 

As part of our longer-term partnership with the organization, Zola’s team of engineers have already begun teaching a series of coding classes to elementary, middle and high school students. The engineering team kicked off by hosting a virtual class in October of this year for a group of girls ages 9-14 that focused on how to add features to holiday cards on the backend, such as changing fonts and colors.  

Zola will also participate in the Black Girls CODE 2021 mentorship program, a core part of the organization that plays a critical role in the success of high school and college students. The mentorship program will be open to all Zola employees and will center around mentoring students on topics such as goal setting, interview prep, and resume writing. We’re excited to help give the students a window into the world of working at a tech startup. 

To cap it all off, Zola will welcome two BGC alumni to join our team as engineering interns next summer. 

Speaking about the partnership, Zola CEO and Co-Founder Shan-Lyn Ma says, “Black Girls CODE is an incredible organization that we are absolutely thrilled to support. We’re most proud to be partnering with and supporting Black Girls CODE in a variety of ways, which includes and goes beyond our donation. Today’s younger generation spends so much time on their mobile devices, but to someday work as an iOS or Android engineer or as a product designer is not always the first career path that comes to mind for many young women. We hope that we can help to illuminate all of the endless possibilities that these girls have in front of them, because they are the next generation of leaders.” 

Kimberly Bryant, Founder & CEO of Black Girls CODE echoed, "We're excited to team up with Zola this holiday season to further advance Black Girls CODE's mission of leveling the playing field for girls and women of color in STEM. The long-term partnership fostered between Zola and BGC will be instrumental in eliminating socio-economic barriers that stand in the way of accessibility to STEM education and will ultimately generate pathways for youth of color to have a seat at the tech table. Zola's commitment to inclusion within their company and in the tech sector exemplifies the importance of corporations stepping up to the plate to change the narrative surrounding racial and gender diversity. Together, Black Girls CODE and Zola will empower the next generation of changemakers." 

We hope that you'll join us in our support of this incredible organization by checking out our collection of Holiday Cards that give back. You can also visit the Black Girls CODE website to learn more about the incredible work they're doing to shape the next wave of female innovators. Happy holidays! 

*Promotion begins November 23, 2020 and ends December 31, 2020. Promotion applies to net sales of Zola holiday cards up to $30,000, with a minimum donation of $10,000. “Net sales” means the cash price of the product sold at the time of purchase, net of discounts and excluding returns, fees for services, taxes and shipping and handling. Promotion does not apply to sales made to residents of AR, FL, HI, IL, KS, MA, MN, MS, NJ, NM, TN, WV and WI. No portion of the purchase price is tax deductible by customer.* 