The Coronavirus and Your Wedding

If you are getting married in the Spring or Summer of 2020, it is likely that the Covid-19 virus has affected your wedding in some way. The CDC has specified that there should be no gathering of more than 10 people. Most people have more than 10 people in their wedding party.

Here are some helpful tips to handle challenges faced during this pandemic because the Coronavirus will NOT stop those wedding bells.

1. MAKE A DECISION

Whether you choose to go forward with your nuptials, reschedule, or cancel, it is important that you make a definite decision so that you can move quickly with creating an alternate plan. We can all hope that this virus will leave as quickly as it came. Some scientists and doctors are predicting that it could be more than 8 weeks before we can come back together. At this point, we really do not know what is to come. It may be a very difficult decision to make because you've been planning for many months, but it has to be made so that you can move forward.

2. READ YOUR CONTRACTS

Hopefully you have contracts with all of your vendors. I always make sure that my brides have a contract with ALL vendors, including those who are friends and family. You want to see if your contract has an impossibility clause. If the government has made it so the event cannot be had, your contract has entered what is called the "impossibility" status. When it is determined that the contract is "impossible" to fulfill, both parties are to be put back in the position they were right before the contract was created. Read the section of the contract that lists the cancellation policy. Most vendors will not return your deposit if you cancel. If you plan to move your wedding to a later date, your vendor should allow you to reschedule your wedding for a later date and hopefully apply your deposit to the new date.

3. NOTIFY ALL OF YOUR VENDORS AND GUESTS

As soon as you have made a decision on whether to keep your date, reschedule, or cancel, you need to talk to your vendors. Remember that "You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar." Remember that these vendors are professionals who use the profits from their business to support their families. They may be just as stressed as you are. Approach them with honesty, respect, and kindness.

If you do not plan to change your date, your wedding may be on a much smaller scale if we are still required to "practice social distancing," "shelter in place," or "safer at home." You may want to consider an elopement or a small ceremony with immediate family members only. With this option, you may still be able to use some of the services that you contracted with your vendors such as having a cake, photographer, and a small amount of food.

Be sure to contact all of your guests so they can cancel travel plans and you may find that they are able to offer help or advice with this tough task.

4. CONSIDER THE UNTRADITIONAL

If you do need to move your wedding to a date that is later this year or in early 2020, many vendors have already booked events during those months. You may want to think about having your wedding on a weekday, a Friday evening, or on Sunday for brunch. This may be the time to get really creative with your planning.

IF YOU HAVE A GOOD WEDDING PLANNER, YOU CAN TURN THESE TASKS OVER TO YOUR PLANNER AND ALLOW THAT PERSON TO HANDLE ALL OF THIS FOR YOU. YOUR PLANNER HAS BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER VENDORS AND MAY BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE ON YOUR BEHALF. A GOOD PLANNER/COORDINATOR IS HERE TO RELIEVE YOUR STRESS.