Wedding Tips: What to Do When the Unexpected Happens
If you are like many brides in the year 2020, your wedding plans have likely not gone as originally planned, and it has been extremely hard to plan your special day. Many who dreamt of faraway destinations had to cancel their plans as airlines stopped flying overseas. Others who were excited about their 400 person wedding had to narrow their list down to 10 close friends and family members if they even wanted to go through with the ceremony at all.
Overall, everyone can agree that 2020 has been one of the most unpredictable years to date. So what can you do if you still want to plan the wedding of your dreams and prepare for the unpredictability of the years to come? This article will provide some practical wedding tips to adjust to a change of plans with your wedding.
Have a Backup Plan
As many wedding receptions in 2020 have been linked to COVID-19 outbreaks, it is not surprising that many brides and grooms are faced with the decision to either cancel, postpone or downsize their weddings. The best thing you can do for yourself is to start thinking of a backup plan in case this happens to you. You and your future spouse should discuss the importance of the wedding ceremony and reception for each of you. Would you rather wait to get married until you’re allowed to have the wedding of your dreams? Or, are you willing to change aspects of your wedding and get married right now, anyway?
Both are valid options, but it’s important to determine and agree upon how important various aspects of the wedding are to your marriage. Having a backup plan will allow you to be flexible and stay positive when unexpected things occur.
Change the Dates
Changing your wedding date might seem like a scary idea, but companies like Zola make it easy to send out “change the dates” announcements to your guests. These announcements state that there has been a change in the wedding date. If you are unable to get married on the day of your choice, think of another time, possibly 6 months to a year later, that might work better. As long as your guests are in the loop, changing your date should be a relatively easy process, especially if you use online wedding invites.
Double-Check Your Contracts
An important part of hiring a vendor is making sure your contract with them is very specific. So, before you hire a vendor, double-check the contract to make sure there’s a plan in it for what happens if you need to cancel or postpone your wedding due to unforeseen circumstances. Many vendors will allow you to get a full or partial refund. However, there are vendors who have refused to refund brides and grooms during this pandemic. It is important that you take note of each vendor’s policy so that changing your plans is done easily.
Keep a List of Back-Up Vendors Handy
While it is important to have your list of vendors set, consider making a list of other vendors that you like, just in case something happens to your first choice vendor at the last minute. While you cannot possibly guarantee that other vendors will be available when you need them, it could be helpful to have an idea in mind of the type of person you’d like to hire in case your vendor falls through. If you are unable to find a backup vendor on your own, it can be helpful to find a vendor on a wedding website or through social media. These types of websites can connect you instantly with thousands of vendors that are in your budget in seconds. This can save you a lot of time if you are in need of something or someone quickly.
Every couple wants a wedding day that goes off without a hitch. Hopefully, that is what will happen on your big day. If nothing else, having backups in place will help you stay relaxed and focused even if something does go awry.
