Singapore Couple Attends Own Wedding Via Livestream Due to Coronavirus Fears

The coronavirus appears to be spreading at a rapid clip around the globe, with thousands of new confirmed cases and dozens of new deaths surfacing in recent days.

The virus, now considered a global health emergency by the World Health Organization, is wreaking havoc on travel, the economy, and now weddings, too.

According to the BBC, Joseph Yew and his wife, Kang Ting, had just returned to their home in Singapore after a trip to China a few days prior to their wedding. Although their family and friends were excited for the couple to tie the knot, they weren’t as thrilled to attend with two people who may now be carrying the coronavirus.

So, the couple came up with a plan: Rather than attend their own wedding, they’d allow guests to enjoy the day while they livestreamed into the event from a safe distance.

"We wanted to postpone the wedding, but the hotel was not willing to,” the couple said in an interview with the BBC. “They said everything had been arranged and it was non-negotiable. So we felt like we had no choice but to proceed with the wedding."

The couple then told their family about their plan to teleconference into the event, saying many of their guests were "shocked" with the choice.

"I think if we had been there, the atmosphere would be different. People would have been wary,” Yew said. "My parents were not [happy about it] at first, but they eventually agreed."

As for the event, the couple said they were not sad, but rather just a bit disappointed to not be able to attend in person.

"We thanked the guests for coming and told them to enjoy the dinner," Yew said. "I think there were no other options, so [I have] no regrets."

While some fears about the virus are valid, there are many untruths circling the web. Take a look at our guide to coronavirus, including which countries are impacted, how airlines and cruises are responding, what you can do to stay safe, and more.