To say it has been a time of great uncertainty is to put it mildly. It has been hard to guess how long lockdown is likely to last and whether large functions and gatherings such as weddings will return to normal from July.
If it becomes apparent that due to ongoing social distancing and restrictions, that your wedding cannot take place in the way you had planned, then it is a good idea to make a decision and act sooner rather than later.
The most important thing is not to panic. Everyone is on your side and feel your disappointment at having to postpone your big day. I have been re-arranging weddings for my clients and I must say that all the suppliers I have dealt with have been superb. The couples have been their first priority.
The first step is to contact your insurance company and inform them that you are seeking to find a new date for your wedding due to current restrictions. It may well be that you are covered for additional costs that you could incur, subject to any excess you have on your policy.
Step 2 will be to contact all your suppliers regarding their policy on postponement (remember these are unusual times) and ask what dates they have available, either later in the year or next year. You might well have to be flexible. If you can find a common date for all these suppliers, then re-book as soon as possible. They will not need to issue a new contract, but an email giving the date of the current contract and reference to the new date will suffice.
Suppliers Checklist
Church or ceremony venue
Venue
Marquee company (if applicable)
Photographer
Videographer
Band and/or DJ
Florist
Cake Maker
Additional musicians
Hair and make-up
Wedding car and other transport
It might take a bit of time for everyone to get back and confirm to you, but it is a busy time. Once you have your new date you will need to ensure that you have written confirmation via email of the change of date. Notify your insurance company of the new date too.
Start by checking with your key suppliers – church/ceremony venue, reception venue, caterers, marquee company. If you can find some common dates amongst these then contact the rest of your suppliers to check what their available dates are. If you are unable to secure all your current suppliers, you will have to calculate any losses made regarding any payment made to date. As I mentioned earlier your insurance company might well compensate you for any costs incurred as a result of postponing your wedding.
Step 3. Inform your guests of the change of date. This could be done via a Change of Date email, not forgetting to remind them to cancel any accommodation they have booked. Alternatively you could send out printed Change of Date cards, but it could be an extra expense that you might wish to avoid.
Step 4. Cancel your hen and stag dos and start to think about new dates to re-arrange them.
Step 5. Wedding attire. If your dress is nearly ready for collection, notify the designer/shop/dressmaker of your new date and check that they are happy to store it for you. If you have to move to a different season – autumn or winter you could think about maybe adding a faux fur bolero to keep you warm.
Step 6. Do not ignore your initial wedding date. Celebrate quietly as a couple and raise a glass to your new date. Hopefully by the time you come to celebrate your wedding with your friends and family the current situation will be a dim and distant memory.
Photographs: https://suzyelizabethphotography.co.uk
Flowers – https://www.brambleandbelle.co.uk
Tipi – https://greenantlersphotography.com, courtesy of http://www.worldinspiredtents.co.uk