When one is in the business of weddings, a pandemic can make a big impact.

Local business owner Christen Dupre of Moments to Remember noted that, while the county’s

move to partial reopening won’t significantly impact her business, she recognizes the importance for other local businesses. Dupre is a wedding planner who also offers wedding accessories for her clients to rent for the occasion.

“I will most likely be open by appointment-only to adhere to guidelines and keep the numbers of patrons in my shop small. I will offer curbside pickup and drop off as I always have. Delivery and pick-up options have always been an option for my customers as well,” she said.

She explained she knows the start of reopening will put fellow business owners a little more at ease, and allow them to start earning a living again.

“I am so happy for the relief that must provide for my fellow small business owners. I would encourage them to still remain creative in how they do business,” she said, giving Nancy Graham at Tin Ceiling GIft Shoppe as an example. “I know she has learned so many new ways to keep her business running during these trying times and those are great skills to have.”

Dupre noted that her calendar of upcoming events changed notably during the weeks of shutdown to reduce COVID-19 spread.

“I went from having 30 contracts for 2020 to now having 12 potential confirmations. It is rather daunting to try to plan ahead with that at the moment,” she said. “Moving into the yellow phase for a business like mine means very little, but I want people to know that I am not critical of the measures we took, nor am I critical of the phases we are taking to return to normal. I voluntarily closed my shop on March 13.”

She’s found that striking the right balance with couples planning a wedding has been a challenge.

“Some want to go full steam ahead while others are scared and hesitant. So I have had to let my patrons know that I am here for either scenario,” Dupre said. “I was able to be available for virtual appointments, or put together galleries and send pictures along with estimates via email. As I mentioned, we have had to learn how to become creative with our businesses.”

Reactions to the shutdown and the ripple effect of COVID-19 throughout the world have been widely varied. Dupre explained that she has largely dealt with expected reactions from couples working to plan a milestone event.

“Luckily, I haven’t heard a lot of frustration coming from my customers. In my dealings with them they seem to understand what is going on and have been great,” Dupre said. “That is not to say they are not sad and disappointed or upset. I have been honest and upfront with them, letting them know that my efforts have been focused on home and community, that it may take longer to get back to them but that I am still here.

“I gave each bride a summary of her account and have been fielding questions and rearranging dates and inventory to meet their needs. It has been just as sad and scary for me as I am sure it has been for them.”