“The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” – Robert Burns

Whether you have planned your wedding day since you were a young child, or only since you became engaged, chances are you did not factor in a pandemic. The virus and its social distancing measures have thrown a kink into many wedding plans, from engagement parties and bridal showers, to local celebrations and destination weddings. Take solace in the fact that you are not alone; not only are you joined in matrimonial dissonance with millions of couples around the world, but you also have Wedding Planners to turn to for direction.

With a variety of choices available, it is recommended that you weigh them all equally to determine the best way forward. Postponing your wedding, either with a new date or without, or cancelling it all together, are all viable options.

Now is the time to lean on a Planner’s knowledge and experience.  While it is true that no one has endured this type of event before, a Wedding Planner always prepares for the best-laid plans to go awry.

Postponing your wedding:

If you choose to postpone your wedding, there are two options available. You can simply postpone it with no future date determined, or you can choose a new date for your impending nuptials. Again, only you can decide which option is right for you.

Postponing your wedding with no future date determined:

It is not an easy decision to postpone your wedding. But for spring weddings especially, the regulations against even small gatherings with friends and family may make it the right choice. Not knowing when these rules will be lessened can produce uncertainty. For some couples, the thought of having to postpone their wedding a second time is two times too many. If you fall into this category, you may opt to wait before determining a future wedding date, until after life has returned to normal.

Moving the date of your wedding:

Moving your wedding to a pre-determined future date involves a few more steps, as well as some flexibility. Wedding dates are chosen months, if not years, in advance. Finding an open weekend at this point in the year may be tricky. It is therefore recommended that you peruse your calendar with an open mind; you may need to opt for next a Friday night, or even a weekday wedding instead. You may even opt to book your wedding for next year and those dates are filling up as well as many are choosing to play it safe and wait a year.

Cancelling your wedding:

If the combination of your wedding plans and Covid-19 proves to be too stressful, cancelling your nuptials may be the right choice. It is after all, just an event; your commitment to one another is what is important. The question then becomes: what will be refundable?

Next steps for postponing or cancelling you wedding:

Once it has been decided to postpone or cancel your wedding, there are several steps to be taken:

• Call your family and wedding attendants to update them with your plans. If applicable, discuss the new date.

• Read over your vendor contracts; knowledge is power, especially concerning your wedding plans and Covid-19.

• Reach out to the venue, vendors, and suppliers. If you have a Wedding Planner, this is something that he or she can help you with.
  
  
  
• If applicable, discuss the new date (depending on availability, you may need to find new vendors).
• • If you are not rebooking within the year, change fees may be applied. Although everyone involved in the wedding industry is dealing with this together, some costs may be incurred.
    
    
• If you are cancelling your wedding, rely on your Wedding Planner. After all, this is their forte. Negotiating with vendors, even for cancelled events, is part of their role as your problem-solver. “Situations that you have no control over, navigating uncharted territory”, removing stress from your life…”this is why you hire a wedding planner”.
• “Whether or not you can get your money back for a cancelled wedding is entirely unique to each vendor and the contract you have with them”.
• Chances are that you will not get all your money back, regardless of the unprecedented circumstances. “Not every vendor has the capacity to refund everyone and still be in business next year”.
• Update your contracts.

• Let your guests know about the postponement or cancellation.
  
  
• Update your wedding website
• Send out Postponement or Cancellation Cards.
• Rethink the design of your wedding, if needed.
  
  
• For instance, if you had originally planned a spring wedding, you might now need to pivot to begin planning a Christmas wedding.
• Contact the guests’ hotel to begin the process of changing or refunding reservations.
• Change or cancel your honeymoon travel plans.
• • Update or cancel all appointments related to the wedding, such as spa dates or dress-fitting arrangements.

Examples of Postponement and Cancellation Notices:

• “With the recent events, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our wedding date”.
  
  
• “As new plans are made, we will be in touch and look forward to celebrating with all of you!” Or
• “Stay tuned for our newly chosen date”.
• “We are excited to inform you that the wedding of ___ and ___ has been moved to ____.
  
  
• “All other details regarding venues and time remain the same.” Or
• “The time and directions to the new venue have been included”.
• “Dear Family and friends, we regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our wedding date. We apologize for any inconvenience to you and thank you for your understanding.”

When it comes to your wedding plans and Covid-19, there is no blanket response. Each couple must decide what road to take, dependant on their own circumstances. What matters is that you and your fiancé begin your life together; whether you take the express lane or the collectors, your destination is happiness.