Weddings take a lot of time and care to plan. Everyone knows there are usually obstacles that couples have to face in that process. However, most couples never think that Pandemic wedding issues will be their greatest obstacle. Many couples are now left wondering, “I postponed my 2020 wedding, now what?”.
I have teamed up with Wedding Planner, Jodie Lupo of Particular Planner, to give you the needed advice you’ve been searching for. We have both worked in multiple aspects of the wedding industry before we started our full-time companies and recently have been brides ourselves! Jodie and I have combined our love for weddings with our experiences, and researched advice from some of the top industry resources. Peach Photography and Particular Planner are here to give you one consolidated source to help solve your Pandemic wedding issues!
1.) Stay in touch with your vendors
It is time for you to truly understand your vendors’ cancellation and postponement policies. Remember, everyone involved in the wedding is impacted by the pandemic. Each vendor wedding is different so there is not a clear, across the board answer that works. However, every vendor should do well by you and themselves. Some may have postponement fees and most deposits are non-refundable. Stay open-minded in your conversation with them. It’s okay to have a family member or good friend you trust to have those conversations for you.
If you already have a new date, then you most likely reached out to your “core team” and picked a date that worked for you and the vendors that were on your must-have list. Otherwise, do this first!
Most of your vendors are probably small businesses, who have already spent a lot of time planning with you. They are even looking forward to your wedding as much as you are! Make sure you can keep as many of them together as possible.
If you were not able to keep them all on board with the move, now would be a good time to reach out to any other vendors you may have had in mind but weren’t available to secure previously. Everyone in the wedding industry is in a fluid state right now. They may have your new date available and you may have just found a silver lining during this crazy time.
2.) Now that you have your team, focus on your guests
Make sure you have up-to-date contact information for your guests and in multiple forms. If plans are moving quickly, traditional mail may not be the best way to contact them.
Keeping your guests informed can come in different “non-traditional” mediums. Wedding websites, emails, or e-vites, are all great ways to communicate quickly and efficiently!
Once you have collected all the contact information, you can take the time to decide which form of communication is best for you.
While doing this, think of it as a great opportunity to re-evaluate your guest list. We expect that there may be guests who will be unable to travel, guests who may not have the same vacation time at work, or who’s financial situations have changed. That’s okay! Keep notes on this so you can better prepare your venue, hotel or florist, etc.
3.) You time – It’s okay to mourn and relax
You’ve spent so much time planning already, and to say you were “looking forward” to the event would probably be an understatement. It’s okay to mourn that this has been pushed back. Just remember, it can still be what you want! You should take time to regroup after the immediate logistics have been handled.
Also, moving too far forward may be premature. It’s understandable that you may want a new plan solidified, but letting the dust settle is good too.
4.) Announcing the new date
Now’s the time to shed some light on a tough situation! Get creative in these announcements and use this opportunity to show your personality.
From Margo of Penn & Paperie: “For those who have postponed but are still concerned that their date may have to change yet again, include a “Corona Card” in your invitation suite. It can direct guests on how to stay updated on your wedding in case there is a change of plans – whether it’s through their wedding website or their event planners contact info.”
Some Penn & Paperie Design examples include:
Minted Weddings gathered a few of their favorite examples for a fun and light-hearted approach:
5.) Do you need to change any decor, hotel plans, transportation?
Couples that have now needed to postpone to a different season will need to take into consideration a few of their past decisions. Start by creating a list of items that need your attention, and then speak to each of those vendors directly.
For example, if your previous date was scheduled for July, under a tent and you were renting fans for the comfort of your guests, but your new date is in November, you may need to consider renting heaters instead of fans. If you’ve selected a seasonal menu, speak with the venue or caterer to see if these menu items will need to be reselected. Lastly, you’ll want to have a conversation with your florist to see how the floral design may need to change. Flowers can be seasonal and ordering out of season can be impossible or pricey. Don’t worry so much about the color palette, but more about what flowers would still be available.
Jodie recommends, “Take detailed notes on what changes have been made throughout the meeting with your vendors. Once the meeting concludes, follow-up with an email to that vendor circulating your notes and what the next steps are. Your notes will be a great reference down the road for everyone involved!”
6.) Determine your plan C
Changes may need to be made still. If you are prepared, those tough decisions will be slightly easier if the time comes to make them. The truth is, none of us can predict the future and we’re still all taking it day by day, week by week, and month by month!
Jodie suggests, “creating your plan C”. She recommends sitting with loved ones to write out what could potentially be your plan C option. What would it look like? Which steps would you need to execute in those first few days?
“What caught everyone off guard in the early weeks of March, was that no one could have predicted this happening. If you’ve postponed for a later date in 2020, be prepared and think about what your plan C would look like. These are difficult decisions to have to think about, but you’ll be glad you did if the time comes to have to make more difficult decisions rather quickly.”
7.) Treat Yourself!
Has postponing given you more time to save a little extra money? Maybe there was an item or idea on your “want list” that didn’t transfer to the “must-have” list. Look into that idea or vendor and make your not ideal situation into something even more special.
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