Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many couples have to make the difficult decision to postpone their wedding. Guests can’t travel to wedding locations and due to the lockdown/social distancing, people can’t come together in person to celebrate. If you have also realized that it won’t be safe for your wedding day to take place, then you may need to put plans in place to postpone. Here are five steps that should be taken when postponing your wedding:
1. Speak to Your Vendors
Contact the venue owner and ask about future availability as well as any extra costs or fees associated with a date change. Reach out to other vendors, such as caterers and photographers, and ask if they will also be available on your new wedding day. It is also a good idea to chat with your wedding planner (if you have one).
2. Inform Your Guests
Let guests know about the reason for the postponement and provide them with details of the new wedding date. If no specific date has been decided yet it is still important to communicate with them and let them know the plans.
When informing your guests about the postponement of your wedding, it is important to do so in a timely manner. Doing so allows guests to adjust their plans accordingly and gives the couple enough time to make the necessary changes. It is best to send out a mail or email with details regarding the delay and new wedding date (if decided). The content of this message should include an explanation as to why you are postponing, especially if it has something to do with COVID-19. If no specific date has been determined yet, be sure to tell them that they will be informed as soon as possible.
When communicating with guests, also consider addressing any other changes that may occur due to the delay. For example, if some guests were planning on traveling from long distances, inform them if you will still cover expenses for travel and accommodation. If any dietary restrictions or special needs had been discussed previously, reiterate these points in order for guests to plan ahead. Additionally, let them know if there have been any changes in terms of dress code or gifts expected at the wedding in order for them to prepare accordingly.
Finally, ensure that all communication is clear and consistent throughout all platforms used (e-mail, social media etc.). Responding promptly and efficiently to any inquiries from guests will show consideration towards their time and effort.
3. Review Your Wedding Insurance
Contact your insurance agent and ask if your policy covers this situation. Most likely it won’t, but it is still important to check.
4. Allow Yourself Time to Grieve
Cancelling or postponing a wedding can be a heartbreaking experience, so make sure you take time for yourself to grieve the situation and adjust accordingly. It’s important to remember that it is okay to feel sad and disappointed about this change in plans — give yourself permission to acknowledge your feelings without judgment. Take some time alone if needed, talk with close friends or family members who understand the situation, write down your thoughts in a journal, or seek professional help through counseling if necessary.
5. Celebrate Anyway You Can
Even though you aren’t getting married on the original day, that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate in some way! Cook special meals, open a nice bottle of wine, have dinner with your partner or just turn up the music and dance!
You can also organize a virtual celebration with your closest friends and family. You can create an online wedding registry, so that your loved ones can shower you and your partner with gifts without being able to physically join the celebration. Video call platforms like Zoom or Skype are great for hosting virtual gatherings; you could even play some interactive wedding games over the video call!
In addition to the virtual celebration, there are other ways to celebrate your special day; have a romantic dinner for two at home, order custom-made t-shirts or mugs with messages of love, write each other heartfelt letters, or watch movies together in comfort. If you’re feeling really creative, you could even create a mini photo shoot with just the two of you, complete with decorations and accessories to make it feel like an actual wedding.
No matter what you decide to do on the postponed day of your wedding, remember that this is still an important event that deserves recognition. This is why it is important to plan ahead and make sure that everything still feels special for both of you. Make sure that you are taking time out of all the stress and uncertainty around you to focus on each other and enjoy celebrating something as special as your relationship and commitment.
6. Make A Plan
Once you have made an informed decision to postpone the wedding, it is important to create a plan of action for all of the necessary changes and follow through with them. Create a timeline that covers tasks such as informing guests, changing contracts and vendors, updating online platforms (such as wedding websites) and any other tasks that need to be handled in order for the postponed wedding to take place smoothly.
Overall, postponing your wedding due to the coronavirus pandemic can be overwhelming. However, following these five steps will help ensure that everything runs smoothly and that your dream day will become a reality once it’s safe enough for people to gather together again.
