An Honest Approach to Postponing Your Wedding
Who would have thought a year ago, in fact even a couple of months ago we would be where we are now? It has been a whirlwind of worry and anxiety for us all and so many things in life have had to dramatically change for us.
It has taken me a while to sit down and write this article. Firstly, I have been hugely involved with so many of my own private clients but I have also been working with a couple of wedding venues to help them and more importantly their couples through these very uncertain times. Please try to consider the ‘human’ approach.
Photo Credit - Colin Ross Photography
Support from an experienced Wedding Planner
It really does break my heart the upset and worry it has caused so many and believe me, I have lived through so many of these emotions with you. I think the main positive that has come from this is that it is very evident the relationship I have with so many of my private clients. Some call it my tag line but when I say ‘With Love’ I genuinely start your wedding planning with nothing but love and passion for what I do. I want to build the relationship with you and your family and it is situations like this that make us stronger.
Positive Outlook
To help get our head round the whole situation and ensure that we try and look at the positives from having to postpone your wedding due to Covid-19, I would like to share some thoughts and advice.
Remember the real meaning of the wedding. It is a celebration of you both uniting and becoming one. Those attending will be your close friends and family and boy will they appreciate the new wedding date when it comes along. Whether later this year, or a year from now – I honestly believe there will be a whole heap more love, support and understanding in that room!
Photo Credit - Fresh Shoot Photography
Dreaming of a Summer Wedding?
Many couples might not be having that dream summer wedding that they had invested so much time and money in to but do you know what, winter weddings are just as magical. I think with so many more couples having to have a winter wedding, it will really open up the door for future dates as people will generally see how amazing they are. Your guests are all likely to be able to attend as it won’t be the peak holiday season and think of the roaring fires, cosy seating areas and so many candles and twinkly lights.
For those of you having to postpone until next year, it may feel like you have to put your year on hold but think of the bigger picture. You get an extra year to save for those extra little bits and perhaps add some new dynamics or ideas to your already planned day? The focus is staying healthy now and coming out so much stronger the other side.
Photo Credit - Colin Ross Photography
I have been working every waking hour the last few weeks with my couples and with most being marquee weddings, I have had to re-plan in excess of twenty to thirty suppliers for each. But this pandemic has really brought together the industry with so much support, empathy, love and more importantly ‘human’ decisions. Contracts aside, the support from these suppliers has been phenomenal! Each and every one of us has taken a huge financial loss but it just goes to show how great we are in a crisis.
Wedding Insurance
First things first, if you do have wedding insurance check where you stand with them You will need to speak with them directly for guidance. If you are postponing, double check that you can transfer your policy over. I think many of the insurers have been given bad press but in the scenarios I have personally dealt with, a number of policies have had adequate cover and my couples have been covered. I really don’t want to get too involved now with what was and what wasn’t covered as every contract and policy is different.
Where Do you Start?
The advice I have been giving all my clients is look at the elements of your wedding that have the biggest financial impact. Generally, this will be your venue or marquee, catering and then perhaps the band or florist. The main elements will be more or less the same for most i.e. the venue/marquee and catering costs but the other suppliers that follow will differ between each wedding as to what your individual priorities are.
Flexibility is Key
Now this is where I am going to be brutally honest with you. At this point, the less additional stress and worry you want to put on yourselves, then the more flexible you are going to have to be. This has had a HUGE effect on the industry whether a large corporate company or a sole trader, each and every one of us have been hit.
If postponing your wedding is an option then check with your venue when they have availability and what their process is if they haven’t been in touch already. Many venues will have limited availability due to bookings already in place so this is where the flexibility is key to make it work for everyone.
Do speak with your officials so this may be the church, registrar or celebrant. Please be patient as they have a large number of couples to help and support so there may be a delay in getting back to you. Some of the weddings I have postponed to date have decided to have their official ceremony as close to their original date as they can and then having a blessing on their ‘new’ wedding date.
Look at Your Priorities
Speak with all your suppliers, working with those that are your top priority to you and find out what availability they have and whether any new terms and conditions as well as payments are required. For weddings that have been postponed in excess of 12 months in advance, do consider that some suppliers may have a price increase for 2021 and to take this in to account. Whilst I have been extremely lucky with a hugely supportive network of suppliers, it is not unreasonable for them to have a slight increase in costs.
Once a new date has been decided, book it and confirm with all new suppliers in writing. Most will offer a letter or email that sits alongside your existing contract confirming the date change and any variations of payment terms.
Another element to consider when you are postponing to 2021 is that I think it is only fair that you offer a financial commitment to these suppliers and either work with the original payment terms or come to a mutual agreement on a payment plan. I know I have referred to it earlier but please do take the human approach if you can. These suppliers also have families, mouths to fed and mortgages to be paid. This is their livelihood and cash flow is important for us all.
Throughout this re-planning stage, it may be that not everyone of your suppliers are available. This can leave you feeling disheartened but again, with so many couples going through exactly the same as you the demand is a lot higher.
Be Kind
Rather than go through all the nitty gritty of what to do when and where, I just wanted to really give you honest and genuine support. I have postponed six of my own private clients to date and looking to postpone in excess of 50 weddings potentially with the venues I consult for. With these weddings I have worked with over 80 different wedding suppliers so I have experienced it from all angles. As a supplier myself and managing two wedding venues.
The biggest lesson I have learned in this crazy world we are in right now is to be kind. Whilst emotions are high, emotions are raw, each and every one of us is suffering. Not just financially but emotionally/mentally.
I know you will feel waves of anger, sadness, anxiety but please, please be considerate to all those around you. I say this but I also want to say it is OK to feel like this. Trust me, I have lived through these emotions most days!
You have a new wedding date? Yes? Well let’s ensure we plan the best bloody party ever!! I owe it you all to ensure we all come out of this healthy and stronger but we have done it together. At times like this we need each other. There is no time for comparisons or who is right or who is wrong. Now let’s get wedding planning (again!).
If you want to chat through your concerns or just need a friendly voice, I am here and offering complimentary calls to all wedding couples and wedding industry friends. It’s ok, I am not going to sell….it really is just some support for you.