Should I Cancel or Postpone My Wedding?
As COVID-19 continues to affect people around the world, many engaged couples are dealing with the uncertainty of the pandemic and having to decide whether to cancel or postpone their weddings.
Making this decision is not something you were planning to do, and it’s not the most pleasant experience. Good news? Regardless of what you decide, you will still marry the love of your life.
Before we go into whether you should postpone or cancel your wedding, know that it’s perfectly okay to feel emotional about having to put your plans on hold. Whether you’re feeling sad or angry, let yourself experience the disappointment – just don’t make any irrational or emotional decisions at this time. Lean on your partner and those you love for the support you need.
To Cancel or Not to Cancel
So, what should you do about your upcoming wedding?
I highly recommend postponing your wedding rather than canceling it.
If you cancel your wedding instead of postponing it, you may end up suffering a major financial loss. Many vendors will be unable to give your retainer back. However if you postpone your wedding, the financial ramifications will be far less severe.
Making so many adjustments to the day that you’ve been planning for months may be off putting and overwhelming. Keep in mind that your venue and vendors are here to assist you, which means you won’t need to figure this all out on your own. If you don’t already have a wedding planner, I suggest hiring one to help you navigate the changes with your vendors.
Plus, your friends and family are here to help you make the necessary changes too. Whether it’s updating guests or helping you choose new flowers that will be in season at the time of your new date, help is available.
How Long Should I Wait Before Postponing My Wedding?
Start by following the CDC guidelines and you local orders in place. Remember, you are a person first, before being a bride or groom, and your health and safety are important.
If your wedding is in May, I would start asking your venue for a list of available dates. It’s important to remember that a lot of venues are booked a year in advance. While it may not be as ideal as a Saturday wedding, your chances of getting a new date in 2020 will be higher if you move to a Thursday, Friday, or Sunday. Below are some free resources to help with getting the word out that you’ve changed your date.
If your wedding is in June or later this summer, it’s never too early to come up with a plan B. Start getting with your vendors and ask about postponement policies and availability. Hopefully, things will be back to normal and your day can go on as originally planned, but if not, you’ll already be prepared.
You can still look forward to your big day despite the uncertainty that we’re all currently facing., and having extra time to plan might give you more room in your budget to add in those extras that you cut out in the beginning. Just take it one step at a time and know that you’re not alone.
COVID-19 Resources:
Additional Resources:
If you’re looking for a wedding planner to help you coordinate all of the changes:
Nothing But Love Weddings and Events
If you’re looking for Change the Date announcements, Erin with Sincerely, Addison is offering free designs.
