As the world reels from the global COVID-19 pandemic, millions of businesses and public places have had to close for the foreseeable future: schools, stores, restaurants, places of worship, parks and, yes, wedding venues (including RiverCrest). Add to this a series of guidelines which limit or ban social interactions and gatherings, and spring’s usually robust wedding season has effectively been cancelled.
According to The Knot Worldwide, tens of thousands of couples have decided to cancel or postpone upcoming wedding celebrations. It’s a decision that’s difficult to make and, in many cases, even harder to actually put into place, as there are so many factors and people involved. Here are some quick tips for navigating this stressful time. Please reach out if you have any questions, or need any help or advice navigating this stressful time. As always, our hearts are with you, and with everyone affected by the pandemic. We can’t wait to celebrate with you as soon as we can.
- Talk with your vendors ASAP.
Contact all of your vendors to let them know your decision, or to talk out possible options. (And try to be patient and understanding: Many are small businesses who are being inundated with frantic calls from other couples, and who may also be dealing with shifting schedules and uncertainty.) Tap your pros for advice, too, on how to navigate your situation, from rescheduling to contacting guests. If your wedding date is later in the year but you’re still unsure of how you should proceed, talk with your venue about securing a backup date, just in case.
- Communicate with your guests.
The easiest way to do this is through your wedding website. Give guests a rundown of helpful and important information, like if and when you’ll be rescheduling and how you will let them know. Contact the hotels in your hotel block for information on cancellations and future bookings, and communicate this to your guests. It’s also helpful to reach out to as many people as possible (especially those who might be more likely to answer a phone call than visit a website) via email, text or phone, to keep them in the loop regarding next steps.
- Be flexible.
Be aware that if you have your heart set on a particular date or time of year, you might have to postpone your wedding for a while. Can’t bear the thought of waiting? Keep an open mind about other options. Getting married on a weekday might be the easiest way to make sure you can still secure all your same vendors. Given the current circumstances, guests will surely be understanding of a mid-week wedding and, most likely, be looking for any excuse to get out and celebrate! A willingness to adapt and reimagine elements of your wedding day will help you plan an equally amazing wedding day, with far less stress.
- Allow yourself to mourn.
It’s okay to feel sad about having to postpone your wedding—even during a pandemic. These feelings are completely valid—many couples have said they’ve gone through a bit of a grieving process. Give yourself some time to be sad, and then look forward. Try to remember that in the end—in whatever season, on whatever date, in whatever place—you’ll be married. Because it’s all about love anyway.
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