The COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to unique conditions in various social contexts worldwide. The restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of the disease led to the temporary shutdown of many businesses, places and rituals, religious ceremonies, celebrations, and collective actions in general. In that time, various aspects of this emerging phenomenon were researched. This qualitative study delves into the experiences of couples in Sanandaj, Iran, who were planning to get married during the peak of the pandemic. This study, which was conducted in the 2020-2021 period, adopted a qualitative approach and used in-depth interviews with 10 couples (the man or woman) who had held or postponed their weddings during this period. In the analysis of interviews six primary themes emerged: environmental and situational constraints, psychological and cultural factors, concerns, alternative meanings for postponed events, social relationships, and lifestyle changes. Findings suggest that environmental and psychological factors, coupled with anxieties stemming from the pandemic's consequences, prompted individuals to make rational decisions regarding whether to proceed with, postpone, or cancel their wedding celebrations. The outcomes of these decisions manifested in altered social relationships and constrained kinship networks, leading to the suppression of personal desires and aspirations, such as wearing a wedding dress for brides. In response, participants sought to substitute the postponed event, a significant life milestone, with alternative actions such as scaled-down ceremonies, limited social interactions, attending professional photo shoots, and reallocating wedding expenses to other essential life needs. This substitution process was characterized by the elimination of what they considered non-essential factors.