Remaining Calm Planning or Postponing Your Wedding with SociaLife Wedding + Event Planning
Couples everywhere are taking the necessary - but still heartbreaking - action to cancel or postpone their upcoming spring wedding ceremonies and celebrations amidst the coronavirus pandemic unfolding throughout the world.
We want our 2020 couples planning their weddings to know that we are here for them - and we have their back. This is a time full of overwhelming stress, and we are sending our love to everyone affected.
To help couples trying to reschedule their weddings, and inspire those planning their late 2020 weddings stuck at home, we consulted with Kelly Heyn, founder and owner of SociaLife Wedding + Event Planning for best planning tips and expert advice during this time.
For spring couples who have had to deal with the stress of postponing their big day - what are some tips to help them "change the date?”
Kelly Heyn: The biggest advice we have given our clients is to have open communication with their families and vendors. Obviously this is a stressful time for everyone, and nobody likes the idea of having to postpone. However, as we have moved closer towards our spring season, it's become evident that in most cases, we do not have a choice.
Being so late into the planning year, many clients no longer have prime date options such as Saturdays in the fall, and are having to choose from a list of less popular dates such as Sundays or weekday weddings. Additionally, many vendors no longer have some of these new dates available, and it can became a nightmare as far as rescheduling goes. Tensions are high. Our couples are mad. None of this is fair!
But it's important to remember we are all in this together. Some additional advice:
Keep an open line of communication between your families and your vendors. Find out available dates from your venue and talk about these options with your vendors. Discuss what happens to deposits or payments made should you need to postpone or cancel. Figure out all of your options before you make any big decisions.
If you do decide to change your date, we recommend contacting your guests immediately with the new details. Even if you don't have everything worked out yet, an email or a “change the date” card with a link to your wedding website that has more details can offer guests some comfort. Your guests are feeling the stress from this pandemic as well. Many don't feel comfortable traveling at the moment or are wondering if they should change their plans if they have already booked flights or hotel rooms. Don't forget to keep them in the loop.
Once the dust has settled and a new date is locked in, then begin changing some the wedding details. Depending on the time of year, the ceremony and reception times may adjust a little if the sun is setting earlier. This could also affect photo locations, beauty timelines and transportation schedules. Even some flower orders or decor may change if you're having your wedding in a different season. Begin working out these new details with your vendors and update contracts as needed.
What advice do you have for those planning their weddings for later this year in spite of all the uncertainty happening right now?
Kelly Heyn: The biggest advice I have for any couples planning their weddings this year would be to remain calm and don't make any rash decisions until you have all of the facts. It's okay to be worried, unsure, devastated and angry! What was supposed to be the happiest time of your life has turned into an unimaginably stressful situation.
Your wedding plans are in limbo, bachelor and bachelorette parties are being cancelled, guests are nervous - and none of this is in your control. But you don't have to have all of the answers right now. Summer and fall weddings do not have to rush to change plans out of fear. We just need to take deep breath and remain calm. If plans ultimately do need to change, just remain focused on the big picture: at the end of all of this, you will still marry the love of your life.
For couples planning their big day later this year or 2021 - how can they use this time at home (especially if they live with their partners) to efficiently plan their big day?
Kelly Heyn: I recommend using this time to finalize some of the tedious details that can take a lot of time towards the end of your planning. You're sitting around the house a lot, so this is a great time to work on your song choices for your ceremony and special dances. Start to discuss some of the songs you would like to have played at the wedding, or make a list of songs on you absolutely don’t want played.
These are often tasks that get pushed aside until the last few weeks of planning, and we find that our couples have a tough time making these decisions when they feel rushed. Really use this down time to finalize these playlists, and have some fun with it! Create your own little dance party in the comfort of your living room, or set up a group hangout with close friends and get their opinions.
Other items you can work on from the comfort of your living room:
Choose the wording for your ceremony programs
Any toasts you are giving at rehearsal dinners or the wedding
Work on your vows
Practice your first dance
Shop online for your wedding accessories, honeymoon, rehearsal and post-wedding day brunch outfits
Huge thank you Kelly and the SociaLife Wedding + Event Planning team for their advice! Just a reminder - we are offering free “change the dates” to our couples who need them. Contact us to learn more!
No matter what the date, we absolutely cannot wait to celebrate your love. Love triumphs all!