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Couples looking to celebrate their wedding day during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic were offered a source of hope when the vaccine was introduced at the beginning of the year. For bride Amy Bettys, however, her parents are choosing to skip her wedding rather than getting the vaccine, according to her tweet that has more than 57,000 likes.
"My parents just told me they are choosing to not attend my wedding rather than be vaccinated and AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" her original tweet read.
Bettys also noted she and her partner are asking guests to be tested, as well as vaccinated.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people planning an event must follow the guidelines and regulations set by local, state, tribal and territorial governments.
In a separate tweet, Bettys alluded to the New York City vaccine mandate, which requires individuals to provide documentation that they received the COVID-19 vaccine to eat at restaurants, visit gyms and attend live performances.
Many Twitter users, including Academy Award-winning actress Patricia Arquette, offered their support to the bride-to-be.
"I'm sure that's disappointing," Arquette wrote. "I'm sorry. You are going to be a beautiful bride regardless and you are marrying your right partner."
"I'm so sorry," another user wrote. "There really are no words to help understand their decision."
Another wrote, "I'm sure it's painful, but truthfully if they're that dug in they'd choose to remain public health hazards over their child's wedding you are better off without them."
Other people shared their own experiences and related with Bettys.
"My grandparents have decided not to physically see their grandkids anymore rather than get vaccinated...We offered FaceTime, and they only did that once. So I guess we know where their priorities are now...," wrote one Twitter user.
There was also a wholesome offer from one user who wrote, "My daughter lives in Brooklyn, she's a 3 hour drive from me. If you want a vaccinated mom & dad stand in, my husband & I will be happy to be there to be happy for you. She loans us out all the time to her friends who have parents who are...um...not like us."
The CDC reported that the Delta variant is more contagious than other strains of the virus and may cause more severe illness in those who are not vaccinated.
In an article on brides.com "vaccine etiquette" is defined by how a couple can address unvaccinated guests respectfully.
It notes that hosts can ask if guests are, or will be, fully vaccinated by the wedding, for non-vaccinated guests to get tested, to take a temperature test and to understand other people's health choices.
While Bettys will not have her parents in attendance, she is looking to remain positive.
"Thank you for all the kind words and offers of stand-in parents, best wishes and even physicians offering to speak to my parents!" she wrote on Twitter. "Even w/o the NYC vax mandate, I would want them vaxxed, but I am focusing on accepting what I can't change and surrounding myself & S.O. with [love]."
Newsweek reached out to Amy Bettys but did not hear back by press time.
About the writer
Catherine Ferris is a Newsweek reporter based in New York. Her focus is reporting for the U.S. Trends Team. She ... Read more