You and your partner have everything planned out to celebrate your wedding day. You’ve got the perfect venue. You’ve secured the caterer, photographers, and videographers. Your wedding dress looks dreamy, and you can’t wait to march the aisle wearing it. The guests have RSVP’d to your special day. You’ve even chosen the perfect honeymoon destinations. Then everything changed when the coronavirus situation entered the scene. Now you’re here, planning to postpone your wedding, stressing about the thought of going through the planning stage all over again.
But you’re not alone in this. We’ll walk you through six things you’ll need to expect should you decide to postpone your wedding, From organizing your priorities to things you can expect with your vendors, the stuff we’ll share today will hopefully help you face this situation with a clear mind and goal.
1. You’ll be making adjustments…A LOT
First and foremost, you’ll need to adjust your wedding day to a later date. It’s a safe bet to move the date by spring 2021 or later when there are less strict restrictions. Plus, you’ll have extra time to secure your venue and vendors and find new ones if they’re not available on your chosen date.
Another thing to expect for your wedding during this situation is that not all vendors can commit to you. But that’s not something to get worked up too much. Most times, vendors will give you recommendations of other vendors that can provide the same quality and service during your wedding day.
Lastly, you’ll need to keep an open mind with your budget. With great adjustments comes the need for extra funds. Taking into account the economic situation today, expect a surge in prices and rates from your vendors.
2. Your vision of your dream wedding may not happen 100%
We’ve all dreamt of a fairytale-like wedding, where our family and friends will gather to witness your celebration of love with your partner for life. But with the extra precautions in place today, you can expect not to achieve the grand, perfect wedding you’ve always planned.
Your number of guests will be limited, considering the prohibition of mass gatherings and age restrictions on people allowed to go out. You’re ideal floral arrangements, and other decoration details may also be different from your original vision. Even your venue may change, depending on your new wedding date.
It’s not bad to continue dreaming of a fairytale-like wedding, but know that some aspects of your envisioned wedding may not come true for now.
3. Back-up plans will be the best things you’ll ever make.
In these times where uncertainties are the only thing we’re sure of, it pays to have a back-up plan for everything. For instance, when planning for a new date, expect that the venue isn’t available during that period. In that case, have a second preferred date available so you can check the availability with the place and the vendors. Some vendors may not be able to serve you on your new date. If that’s the case, have a backup list of potential vendors or ask for recommendations from friends, family, or the vendors themselves.
If you want to share your photos with friends and family who can’t attend your wedding, look for photo book vendors offering online or digital versions. It’s safe to assume that printing services will not resume sooner, so digital albums are your prudent option. Some vendors like MILK Books offer a free version of your photo book you can share on social media or email.
It’s a safe bet to expect the worst while we make our way through this pandemic. So to deal with this situation, always have a Plan B for everything.
4. Vendors are with you in this crisis.
Don’t be afraid to talk with your vendors about adjustments (or even cancellations). Discuss with them any possible solutions and plans so you could still achieve a memorable wedding. If there are contracts signed, discuss the terms with them, and your expectations now that this new normal situation is in place.
They’re also trying to dance in the dark during this crisis. As long as you stay transparent and considerate of each other’s situation, you can work things out to pursue your dream wedding. Some vendors may even consider giving a discount or offer freebies (but don’t force your vendor to do so; they’re also trying to keep their businesses surviving during these times).
5. A mix of emotions will come as you deal with this situation.
And that’s normal. Plenty of brides-to-be are feeling anxious, sad, disappointed, and angry over the idea that they may not have the wedding they’ve always wanted. No one saw something huge like this to happen, so it’s not your fault. We know it’s easier said than done, but trust us when we say optimism will keep you and your wedding plans strong during this pandemic. Think of it this way: if you’ve done the waiting game with your life partner, waiting for your wedding day a little longer would be worth it too.
6. It’s a now-or-never situation.
Expect plenty of couples to compete with you on your venues, vendors, caterers, photographers, and other wedding-related services. So if you’re sure about postponing your wedding date by 2021, decide as early as possible. It helps to have your goals and vision in place, as well as a wedding planner and other professionals to help you make the right decisions, fast.
We’re all in this together.
Postponing your wedding is a lot of work, but you don’t have to go through this alone. Wedding professionals and other soon-to-be-married couples are working together to help make everyone’s fairytale wedding come true. So don’t hesitate to ask for help. Set realistic expectations and be prepared for worst-case scenarios. Keep a Plan B in case Plan A didn’t work Lastly, keep an open mind and be flexible with your plans. Once you’ve taken these by heart, you’ll find it more convenient to postpone your wedding and find a new, suitable date for your special day!
