HOW TO POSTPONE OR RESCHEDULE YOUR WEDDING

 

While the world has been turned upside down with the current COVID-19 crisis, so many weddings have along with it. 

Whether you’ve made the decision to postpone, or had it made for you, it’s devastating. Not only for you, but the Tribe of suppliers involved too. 

While everything feels a little out of control right now – and if you’re having to postpone, totally unfair – it’s important that you begin to look to the future and how your wedding will now play out. 

It’s important that we also highlight that while at the moment, weddings are not going ahead in a normal manner, they will once more. Not only will suppliers be in demand for those currently planning, but they will also be trying to make arrangements to accommodate postponed weddings too – suppliers may just be scarce!

We also realise that you’re probably under a huge amount of stress right now and your brain is feeling all frazzled and that’s why we want to let you know that we’re here to help and hold your hand and give you a little ‘how to’ when it comes to tackling the postponement or rescheduling of your wedding plans.

 

 

First things first…sit down with your partner and take a deep breath – this is not going to be a fun task, but it’s important that you’re united.

Whether Government rulings have forced your hand, or the unknown has gotten to0 much and you’re deciding to change your wedding plans to give yourselves some breathing space, here are some practical steps you can take.

 

1. Compile a list of ALL the vendors that were involved in your day along with their contact details (email and phone numbers). Keep this list to hand as you’re going to be referring to it quite a lot! 

Here’s a list to get you started:

• Beauty – hair, makeup, tans, nails
• Cake
• Catering
• Celebrant/officiant
• Entertainment
• Fashion
• Florist and stylist
• Hire and decor
• Jewellers
• Photographer and videographer
• Planner
• Stationer
• Transport
• Venue

 

2. It’s important that before you contact your vendors that you go back through your terms and conditions. It may give you a little more clarity about where you stand when it comes to deposits or booking fees paid. Or if it doesn’t, you will have an idea of what questions need to be posed. Make notes as you go through this process. 

As mentioned earlier, there’s going to be A LOT of postponing happening in the world of weddings, along with those already planning, so you need to act sooner rather than later if you want to secure a dream team.

 

3. Speak to your venue – obtain some available date options – keeping in mind that these may range from Thursdays, to Sundays, or different timeslots. 

 

4. Time to contact your other vendors and ask for their availability. While these conversations take place, its worth having sent them your new date options (if you have this in place) and compiling a spreadsheet based on their responses. Taking it one step further, you can share a working document that allows each supplier to indicate their availability and therefore simply allow you to cross-reference and find that most suitable date. You can also use an app such as Doodle that will help poll a number of vendors availability in one place.

We recommend working with 3-5 date options. Please keep in mind that it’s important that you’re flexible and understanding when it comes to vendor availability. While they will desperately want to be part of your day, sometimes it just won’t work, and it’s important that you show kindness should this be the case. Wedding vendors are under a huge amount of stress at the moment as they are dealing with increased admin and general stress too. 

Here’s some help with an email template of what you might like to say;

Postponing/Rescheduling Template – TO SEND TO YOUR WEDDING DAY TRIBE

Hi {VENDOR NAME},

We hope this email finds you well, and that you are safe and healthy during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with everyone that is being impacted

Given the current situation we are all facing, we feel it’s best to place our wedding plans on hold for the time being, so we don’t put anyone at risk.

We wanted to begin conversations around our options when it comes to rescheduling our wedding celebration.

INSERT IF YOU HAVE DATE PREFERENCES

At this point in time we are looking to reschedule our wedding on xx (put in multiple dates if you have flexibility).

Could you please let us know your availability when you have the opportunity.

INSERT IF YOU DON’T HAVE A FUTURE DATE PLANNED

Currently we don’t have a future date planned. Once we have considered our options, is it possible to postpone our wedding date and reschedule with you?

We look forward to hearing from you,

With thanks

{NAME AND NAME}

 

5. Once you have secured a date, be sure to lock in your Tribe of superstars. Make your deposit payments as quickly as possible as for most, the date won’t be secured until you have done so. Again, remember that many couples out there will be also working hard to lock in their wedding day Tribe. Now is not the time for procrastination. Be sure that you both have in writing the new confirmed date.

 

6. Should you choose a date that doesn’t work for one or some of your vendors, it’s important you let them know that their services are no longer required and enter into discussions about any existing deposits and where to from here. 

 

7. It is now time to contact your guests to formally advise them that your wedding plans have changed, and to stay tuned for a new date to be announced. There are a few ways you can communicate this. Using services such as Mailchimp or Paperless Post, wedding websites that allow easy communication with guests such as With Joy or Appy Couple. It may even be as simple as a Facebook Messenger group. Chat also with your existing stationery supplier about digital options they can provide you with. Tribe talent Rebel Reflect is currently offering a free and super sleek editable PDF, hit her up on Instagram for the details. 

Here’s some help with an email template of what you might like to say;

Postponing Template – TO SEND TO YOUR GUESTS

To our dearest friends and family,

We hope this email finds you well, and that you are safe and healthy during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with everyone that is being impacted

Given the current situation we are all facing, we feel it’s best to place our wedding plans on hold for the time being, as we definitely don’t want to put our favourite people at risk.

We will be in touch as soon as we can with our new wedding date, and boy oh boy, we cannot wait to celebrate!

In the meantime, stay safe and healthy.

Love

{NAME AND NAME}

 

8. Once your Tribe is all in line, await further Government advice and then advise your guests of the good news, a new wedding date is in play.

 

9. Breathe a BIG sigh of relief, pat yourselves on the back and know that you can now look forward to your wedding day once more. 

 

10. Your original wedding date is going to roll around and it’s going to be filled with mixed emotions. Consider doing something nice for yourselves. A romantic dinner in with your favourite food and wine, or a night away locally so you can escape – it might be nice to celebrate that you have each other and that while things have changed, you’ve supported each other through a trying time. 

 

No matter how the coming months play out and all of the unknowns present themselves, the most important considerations here are of course, your health and safety, but that you get to marry your one and only.

Your dream day might be awaiting in the wings for a little while longer, but we are all in this together, we promise.

 

 

 

If you’re back in planning mode, you’ll want access to our directory of suppliers, click here for our Tribe – they truly are the best of the best.

To keep up to date with our COVID-19 + weddings chat, visit the rolling coverage here.

It is SO important that you’re taking care of yourself. Head here for some great tips for wedding wellness in times of uncertainty.