Almost three months later, it doesn’t appear that COVID-19 is going anywhere fast. One of the many side effects of a pandemic is cancelled weddings. If you’re a bride or groom facing the decision of cancelling or postponing your wedding, we’re here to help! This process is so daunting and not a fun decision to make. Be sure to check out our Facebook support group to connect with other couples who are in the same position as you! Let’s break down the process of postponing your wedding step by step.
Step 1: The Venue
No venue, no wedding! The first step to postponing your wedding is to contact your venue. Remember, there are probably many other couples who are contacting the venue with similar questions and inquiries, so have some patience. Due to the current global health crisis, you should have no issues re-scheduling your event for another date. If you’re given a hard time, review your contract. There should be a “Force Majeure” clause that can be applied here. Ask the venue to provide you with some options for dates in your desired timeline. Do NOT sign anything committing to a new date just yet!
Step 2: Your Vendors
Before committing to a new date, reach out to your vendors. Once again, they should all be very familiar with the circumstances. Supply them with the list of potential dates and see which they have available. If there’s a long list of options, we suggest wording it in a fashion along the lines of “our hope is to reschedule to X date, if this does not work for you, please let us know if you are available on A, B, or C.” This lays your plans out in a much clearer and cleaner manner and potentially will help you secure the date you’re aiming for.
Step 3: Confirming & Updating Guests
Once you find a date that works for all your vendors and your venue, let them know and get your updated contracts. As you are working through the contracts, you should also be updating your guests. If you have already sent out Save the Dates and/or Invitations, we recommend sending out “Change the Date” cards. This is a great opportunity to thank your guests for their patience, let them know things are changing, and that more details will follow. You don’t need to include all the new details. Simply the new date, quick message from you and your fiance, and the URL to your wedding website. Your wedding website is a phenomenal tool through this time. While you continue to work out details and tie up loose ends, you can easily and quickly update your site for all to see.
Step 4: Tying Up Loose Ends
Step 4 is basically everything else. This is where you reschedule dress and suit fittings, honeymoon and bachelor/bachelorette parties, showers, etc. If you have already set up hotel room blocks, this is where you reach out to provide the new date and see if you can shift the block. If guests have already booked their rooms within your block, be very clear on what will happen to those reservations and communicate it directly to these guests. The hotel should be able to provide you with a list. For example, some hotels will be willing to simply shift the block to the new dates and the existing reservations along with it. Some may need to cancel and rebook. Each hotel will handle the situation differently, so be sure to check in!
Step 5: Elope?
We have seen love prevail throughout the duration of this pandemic, which makes our hearts so happy! If a virtual wedding isn’t your style, we still love the idea of you getting married on your originally scheduled date! Whether you elope just the two of you, or include just immediate family, there is no reason that love needs to wait! We realize this is such a difficult and trying time, but remember that you have resources here to help you through and that love wins. Together, we will get through this and you will have your big day! Promise!
