Hi there! Today I thought I would dive into part 2 of a post I wrote this past summer that you can read here. My wish was to never have to write a follow-up on this topic, but here we are and I feel it is my duty to help couples navigate their season of planning especially during this engagement season.
After 7 years in the wedding industry and almost a year spent dealing with events being rescheduled and all the emotions that come with that from other vendors, brides, grooms, and their families, I have some (more) heart to heart words. Whether you have a wedding booked on a 2021 date or your newly engaged (congrats!) I hope you can take away a little knowledge and most importantly some calm heading into next year.
Switching plans up for your wedding is going to be determined by several things. 1. Where are your guests coming from? Will many people travelling from afar? If that’s the case you will want to make the call to postpone more than 3 months out. If they are mostly local you can postpone if needed within the 3 months out mark. 8 weeks would be ideal.
For those with a 2021 booked wedding date with more than 50 guests
I’m starting with you all because to me you are the ones with the most concern as we sit here staring into 2021 still being smack dab in the middle of Covid, ever-changing gathering sizes, and other mandates.
If you are a winter 2020-summer 2021 bride…
Be flexible. Know how to cut down your guest list now if you have to. This will depend on what state you are getting married in.
Skip Save the Dates, but send invites sooner than normal (about 10-12 weeks out)
Know exactly what each of your contracts from each vendor says about rescheduling if needed.
Hire a planner or month-of-coordinator to assist you in navigating changes if any pop-up. (venue coordinators are different)
Keep planning as normal. This is a special time and you should enjoy it as much as you can. Just know that your wedding day may look different than you originally planned- be open.
A smaller wedding-if it comes down to that- can be just as beautiful as a big wedding. Adjust your design to accommodate a smaller guest list if needed.
If you decide to postpone you need to move quickly. Start with talking with your venue and move onto your vendors to come up with a new date. (I suggest 2022) Keep everyone in the loop.
Fall 2021 Brides with more than 50 guests…
Keep planning as normal.
Know ways to cut back your guest list if needed.
Book all vendors asap.
Skip Save-the-dates and send invitations earlier than normal.
Hire a planner or month-of-coordinator. (venue coordinators are different)
Know all rescheduling/cancellation policies in each of your contracts.
2021 Brides with 50 guests or less…
Keep planning as normal.
Book vendors asap if still needed.
Hire a planner or month-of-coordinator. (venue coordinators are different)
Know all rescheduling/cancellation policies in each of your contracts.
Those couples who are newly engaged…
Congratulations! Breathe, don’t be overwhelmed heading into planning during a pandemic. (easier said than done I know) Be informed, be flexible, be hopeful.
My advice if you are wanting a big or small wedding is to skip to 2022. There are many reasons for this including ideal venue/vendor availability (hello all of 2020 reschedules that moved to 2021) and the hopeful return to normalcy by the end of next year.
If you have your heart set on 2021 book your venue and vendors asap, but be aware that you may not get your ideal date and your dream vendors may not be available.
Hire a planner or month-of-coordinator asap.
Read the above advice for 2021 brides.
From me to you (and not just because I am in the wedding industry) the best thing you can do if you haven’t already hire a planner. We are professionals that are worth our weight in gold especially now. We are educated on contract wording and can take so much weight off your shoulders and handle all of those moving parts flawlessly leaving you as relaxed as possible. Find money in your budget and thank me later.
Remember your vendors are businesses and in general, have been slammed this year and will continue to have difficulties next year. We are trying to bend over backwards as much a possible for our couples, but there are times when rescheduling fees and other policies have to be enforced to protect the integrity of their business. Most wedding vendors are small businesses and our events literally put food on the table for our families. Give them grace and ask questions and try to understand where they are coming from.
At the end of the day, you are marrying each other and that is the most important thing. Your day will happen and you will be married. It’s ok to be angry and sad and feel a wide range of emotions. You are not alone. You are not being dramatic, it’s okay to be upset. It’s your wedding day-feel all the feels.
Warmly,
Michelle