What To Do If You Need to
Postpone Your Wedding
Many unpredictable things have happened since the widespread of COVID-19. The pandemic has affected so many aspects of life and one of them is future weddings. You might have planned for your big day a long time ago and you probably booked the venue, sent the invites, chose the menu and have done everything you need for the event. In short, you are just excitedly waiting for that special moment. But due to the unprecedented health crisis, you realize that there are so many factors to consider and rules to follow leaving you with thoughts about wedding cancellation and postponements.
Wedding cancellation or postponement is just as stressful as planning the wedding day for the first time. We can say that you may need to start from scratch as you will have to change many plans. Despite this unexpected health crisis, one thing is for sure. You are still getting married, just at a different time! Stay calm, keep on reading and let us share with you the best things to do if you need to postpone a wedding.
Adjusting Expectations
The situation is overwhelming, especially for couples who have been planning to spend their lives together. With all that is happening in the world right now, you must talk about what to expect for your upcoming wedding. People have discovered so many ways to push through with their nuptials since the pandemic has started. Some go with “microweddings” (friends and family up to 50 guests), some do what they call “minimonnies” (small ceremonies with up to 10 people) and some lovers will just choose to elope. What’s important is how you and your partner think about getting married. What does it mean to you? Is it having a big wedding? Is it being around your family? Or is it just the two of you? Planning a wedding during a pandemic can add to the normal stress so it’s best to approach it with an open mind.
Communicate
Reaching out to your guests should always come first when it comes to wedding postponements. If you have a wedding planner, you should immediately contact them so you can talk about any adjustments. The sooner the better. Early rescheduling gives you a high chance of minimizing costs. If you are working independently without a wedding planner, contact your vendors, venue, photographers and discuss the situation. Being flexible helps so much but working together will surely make for an easier transition. Many vendors, including us, have adjusted their return policies or cancellation requests. We now have a 60-day return window so if you need to postpone, you can return your order without any hassles.
Change to a Later Date
After carefully thinking about it, and deciding to postpone your wedding the next thing to know is, when will it be? Check your personal and family calendars and decide on the best date for you and everyone and of course, consult your vendors. With many venues still closed, you may be able to move your date to another. Printers are also offering reprints of invites either for free or at a discount. Keep in mind to let your guests know that the dates have changed.
Consider Eloping or Having a Smaller Ceremony
The stress is not worth it! Register with your city hall for your license and grab your photographer for some gorgeous day of photos. You can legally be married and celebrate later. Elopement weddings will just give endless options on how to throw a party later with your loved ones.
As mentioned earlier, you can also plan for a “minimony” or a smaller ceremony. Either virtual or in person, all you need is an officiant, up to 10 guests. Just make sure that everyone will adhere to social distancing measures. A small ceremony can still be exciting and romantic with your spoken or handwritten vows, first dance as a couple, gorgeous flower decorations and good food for everyone. Make sure your photographer will capture every special moment!
Have a Virtual Ceremony
You and your partner can still make your dream come true with a virtual wedding. Consider gathering people together to share in your special day via Zoom, FaceTime, Facebook Live or Google Hangout. Record the ceremony and have everyone enjoy the virtual party. You can also ask everyone to send in virtual messages to play during the virtual reception or simply as a keepsake from your day.
Stay Informed and Remain Positive
We are in a situation right now where nothing is guaranteed. It can change every day so it is important that you and your partner stay-up-to-date on trusted news, especially if you don’t have a planner. Follow CDC or local government pages and remain calm and positive. Not getting married today does not mean that you will not marry. If your wedding is postponed due to reasons that are beyond your control, let yourself grieve, acknowledge your feelings and understand that they are valid. Then focus on your goal of getting married. That way, you will end up with a good plan on rescheduling the celebration.
This year may be a year of tough choices and planning for a wedding in a pandemic may not be very easy but the most important thing is that you and your partner work together to make it happen. We hope that you will have a memorable celebration of your upcoming wedding! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Please follow @LeilaniParties on Instagram for more wedding trends and ideas!
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