Across the world, couples have been given no choice but to put their wedding days on pause. As governments enforce restrictions on social gatherings. While it’s undoubtedly disappointing for couples who have spent months planning their dream wedding day. This decision is understandable in terms of keeping everyone safe and saving lives. 

But if you are trying to plan your wedding, how do you move forward when the future feels so uncertain? In this article, I’ll share with you some of my top tips for responding to the current crisis and ensuring you aren’t financially (or emotionally) drained when your big day eventually arrives. 

1. Keeping Things In Perspective

Yes, it’s incredibly frustrating that your wedding can’t go ahead as planned. But with the entire world in the same boat and most people are confined to isolation. Remember that you are not alone. Once the social distancing restrictions are lifted, you are going to be able to celebrate your special day and everyone’s likely to be even more excited about it after months of no parties. 

So try to keep things positive and in perspective. You now have a little more time to plan your wedding and make it absolutely perfect. Especially if you’re taking time off work and need something to fill your days. Most importantly, you have your health and your loved ones around you, which is what really matters. 

2. Communicate With Your Vendors

All of your wedding vendors are in similar financial situations and completely understand what you’re going through. They want to do whatever they can to work with couples at the moment. Most will be flexible when it comes to rebooking. So reach out to them to discuss booking a date later in 2021 or later, depending on when you are thinking about rescheduling. 

Each vendor may be handling paid deposits differently, so talk with them directly about what will happen if you have to postpone your wedding date. If your wedding date is nine months away or more, they might be willing to return the deposits in full. However, if your wedding is only in a couple of months and work has already been done by the vendor. You might (unfortunately) have to bear some of the costs. 

In the current climate, most vendors will be noting the flexibility of postponing dates into their contracts. So if you’re yet to make a final decision about your florist/DJ/wedding photographer, check with them first about what their policy is. 

3. Hire A Wedding Planner

Wedding planners can be invaluable in negotiating all the tricky logistics of executing an incredible day and if there ever was a time to hire one, it’s now! We’re experts in handling things when they go a little awry and will take charge of rebooking vendors. As well as, finding new ones if some aren’t available on your rescheduled date. 

If you already have a contract with a wedding planner, the additional planning requirements may be outside of what was already agreed, so check in with him/her regarding this. You wouldn’t expect to plan two events for the price of one, so don’t be surprised if additional fees are required. 

4. Wedding Insurance

If you’ve taken out wedding insurance before Covid, carefully read the fine print to see if the cancelation due to the COVID-19 pandemic is covered or what your force majeure clause states(If there is one). If you are thinking about purchasing insurance now after Covid has been established, it is likely the insurance won’t cover. What it would cover are other possible causes like I highly recommend speaking to a professional to better explain your options and do your research on different insurances.

5. Start Shopping Online

With many brick and mortar stores now closed (including bridal boutiques). You may be forced to go online to find your wedding dress or tux. If you’re having something custom-made, carefully check what the lead times for manufacture currently are. Some dressmakers and garment factories not working at all or cannot be shipped out from other countries.

The good news? With so much time to browse designs and find silhouettes you love. You’re less likely to impulse buy and make a purchase you might regret later.

6. Move Forward with a Positive Outlook

It’s incredibly difficult to be planning your wedding at the moment with all of the uncertainty in the world. So rather than trying to control things you can’t, commit to what is most important. Locking down to stay healthy and protecting those around you should be your first priority. Be safe in the knowledge that in the future, you’re going to marry the love of your life….you might just have to wait a little longer than you initially expected.

After you’ve negotiated with your vendors and accept the situation you are in, turn your attention to looking after yourself. Planning a wedding is always going to involve some level of stress and be highly emotional. So do what you can to counter that – meditate, find a new hobby, and stay physically and mentally fit so that you’re in the best shape to tackle the ups and downs that may lie ahead.