12 Ways To Keep Planning Your Wedding During The COVID-19 Pandemic
If everything feels up in the air about your wedding, you are not alone. This global health crisis has affected everyone. Couples planning their 2020 and 2021 weddings have had to adjust quickly to the changing landscape of the event industry. As many businesses are forced to move home and work remotely we have all had to get a little creative to keep things moving and on track. While I can’t make any promises for when this will all be over I do know that it will be over and that we will all celebrate together again! I wanted to provide you with some advice and help you navigate your wedding planning during the coronavirus pandemic.
1. We Are All In This Together
It is important to keep in mind that we are all going through this together. Your vendors and the event industry are working on new procedures, new possibilities, and new ways to provide you with the service and support you need. I encourage you to be patient and support them in return so we can all get back to a sense of normal.
If you are considering postponing or canceling your event, we highly suggest postponing your wedding or event. We understand that the original date is special to you and that you carefully considered every detail and thoughtfully selected your date. However, marrying the love of your life alongside your friends and family is what is most important. Regardless of the date, location, or food that is the memory you will always remember and we all want to be there with you!
One thing to note, it is unlikely that you will receive any deposits or retainers back if you choose to cancel. Your vendors will all have a cancellation policy in place and retainers are in place because the person you hired has already completed some amount of work to date. That retainer or deposit covers the work they have completed already. Another great reason to postpone instead of cancel!
2. Wedding Website
Do you have a wedding website? Whether your wedding website is custom or from a beautiful template, keep it updated! Include any updated time, location and parking information. If you have postponed your wedding don’t forget to extend the url and hosting to make sure the site stays live for all of your guests up to the new date. To avoid having the same phone call with all of your guests, send them an email or text message letting them know about the new date and that they can find more information on your website.
3. Select Your Wedding Songs
Go ahead and start building your song list. Pick out your first dance song, Father/Daughter dance song, Mother/Son dance song, cake cutting, your entrance song, and any ceremony songs. Working on these now will save you time later when you need to be out at appointments and fittings. Plus, you probably have some extra time to dance around the house or yard to find out which one is just the right fit.
4. Secure Your Rentals
With all of the events that have been rescheduled, rental companies and specialty decor companies are going to be very busy. Some are already at capacity! Save yourself the headache and secure any rentals you may need. At the very least call and see how their inventory is looking for your current or new wedding date. You will be glad you did.
5. Hire an Event Planner
Now more than ever we are seeing the need for planners. Having that extra set of hands and an industry expert who will be an advocate for you during the planning process and any crisis is a huge help. Reach out to planners in your area to see if they are available for your date and if they can help you during this crisis. I think my college Tara summed it up really well.
“You’re not paying a planner for when things get rosy, you’re paying a planner for when sh*t hits the fan. It has, and we’re ready and here to advocate for our clients and future couples.”
- Tara Fay, Wedding Planner and Event Designer
6. Don't Forget Your Postponed Notice/Updated Save the Date
If you have had to postpone, send out updated information to guests as soon as you can. If your invitation hasn't been sent yet, check with your stationers to see if they can either print an extra card with all the updated details to slip in with the original or create a digital one to send out to guests in the interest of time.
And with the new dates don't forget to check sunset times! Sunset can affect your ceremony start time, any lighting plans, and even dinner and end times.
7. Complete Your Wedding Registries
This is an easy one to do from home! Sign up and build your wedding registries. We recommend 2-3 locations with a variety of items to choose from. Don’t forget to read the registry completion bonuses, many places gift you an extra item or two if your registry is completed.
I know it can be hard not to see things in person, but you can do all of your research and create your registry now and when things open back up go visit stores. At least you will have 90% of it completed, right?
8. Focus On All The Details
Now is a great time to decide on the details. From custom cocktail napkins, detail signage, type of guestbook, desserts, etc. We often hear that "we are working on it", "we haven't been home at the same time", or "he/she has been traveling." Now that we are all home, spend some time each day deciding on one thing. Notice how I said one thing. Don’t try to do it all at once! I get it this is a lot of extra time at home but still, try to take it one thing at a time. Keep a list of decisions that need to be acted on once things open and act on any others that you can do now. Buy your guestbook, order cocktail napkins, and/or notify your stationers of additional day of wedding signage.
9. Adjust Your Design
You may need to adjust your design. If you have had to postpone your wedding, from the spring to the fall or outside to inside, consider tweaking your event design. Not all color palettes and florals are a great fit year-round. Consider the new season, what's available and how you might be able to adjust. Things like invitations, bridesmaids dress, and other pieces might be decided on or purchased already. You don't need to start over but consider chatting with your wedding planner and florist to see if you need to adjust your design to better fit the season and location.
10. Determine and Purchase Your Gifts
I know what you’re thinking, but things are closed so how can I order? Well true! But there are workarounds. While small creative businesses have had to close their offices, shops, and doors temporarily, many of the makers can still make and prepare your gifts while they are home. I am still sketching and creating illustrations while at home...it is helping me to stay a little more sane and creative!
Doing your research now and placing your orders will help them plan accordingly and to get your item as soon as possible. Then you can have all of your gifts ready from bridesmaids, groomsmen, mom, dad, and partner ready to go. If you are just getting started with your wedding planning, think of how you will ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen. You may want a gift for this and if you wait too long you might not get anything until late June.
If you have already had your wedding...now is a great time to reach out to your photographer for prints and your wedding album!!!
11. Consider Virtual Meetings
This is where technology can be our friend. It may take a bit of getting used to or a new app to download (Zoom downloads have skyrocketed). But phone calls and video chats can go a long way in helping you feel connected to your vendors. Video chats are also a great way for you to meet and work with vendors from home. They can share images, advice, and demonstrations via video that they would have otherwise done in person.
12. Stay Calm, We Will Celebrate!
We will get through this. I know this isn't how you imagined your wedding planning. Whether you have had to reschedule or your date is later this year this is hard, but it is now part of your story. Guests will understand and are still very excited to celebrate with you. They have also had things canceled and are waiting to get back into the swing of things, get out of their house (I know I am! Anyone else?) and celebrate with you!!
Have you had to reschedule? What worked for you?
Do you know someone who has postponed?
For more information and great tips check out: