The world seems to have come to a standstill due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic and it has managed to grapple everyone, including the happiest industry in its grip- the wedding industry. As we continue to fight this invisible enemy, we need to keep calm and put on our best show in this, while we set sail on the same boat together.

Going by the ongoing mandate to maintain our social distance, couples and families around the US are facing challenges when it comes to postponing, reconfiguring, and replanning their wedding date. If you are a couple who is looking to replan and postpone your wedding date, our heart goes out for you. You are not alone in these uncertain times, as the biggest minds in the wedding industry are dealing with the woes and working together through new standards, procedures, and ideas to support couples across the globe.

As you navigate your way through these uncharted waters, rest assured that we are constantly putting our heads together to dodge the Coronavirus bullet for the moment and bringing in the best support we can, in hope for a brighter and sunnier tomorrow. Our guide to wedding postponement planning in the time of Coronavirus when it comes to dealing with vendors might be the solution you have been looking for. Take a look.

 Being proactive

It’s okay if you want to take your time to deal and cope with the sudden change in plan. We understand how everyone is dealing with this differently and there is no perfect way, as it changes from person to person. However, once you feel a little better and ready to take charge of the postponement planning of your wedding, start with a mass e-mail to your vendors. Especially if your wedding was in a state of an outbreak or planned internationally, you should list out the dates that will be feasible for you, and ask them for their convenience to make it work together. 

Many wedding experts recommend dividing your wedding vendors into two groups- the primary and the secondary. Reaching out to the primary services that include vendors like your wedding photographer and videographer, florist, entertainment unit, and catering service provider. After confirming their dates, you can move on to the secondary wedding vendors who can cover more than one wedding in a day like the cake baker, stationery designer, the rental companies, etc. 

 The vendors’ availability

As a second step of discussing a postponement of the wedding with your vendors, note down their available dates. It is crucial to understand that like every business, even the wedding vendors’ business is getting jabbed by the pandemic situation. Hence it is very vital for you to understand your vendor’s point of view as they are fighting their own battles when it comes to handling their economy and business. It is best to retain the already booked vendors as they understand your requirements better. It also saves your time as you do not have to make them understand everything from scratch. "If you speak to people’s hearts, that’s the best way to continue the relationships. It’s all about perspective!”, says Jove Meyer, founder, and principal of Jove Meyer Events in New York City.

Understanding is the key

Being empathetic is the key to successfully handling wedding vendors while postponing your wedding. It is very likely that your vendors may be booked or unavailable on your new wedding date due to the huge rate of wedding postponements. The deposits might also be nonrefundable, depending on their cancellation policies, but instead of losing your mind while convincing them, ask for a recommendation, as they are likely to have resourceful contacts that will surely help you. You can also ask if they have a Team B on board, in case Team A is unavailable. Always remember that you hired them because you appreciated and loved their work. Hence we have to rise to an occasion like this and support one another, as we work as a tight-knit community that has been hit by this unseen enemy. 

The world seems to have come to a standstill due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic and it has managed to grapple everyone, including the happiest industry in its grip- the wedding industry. As we continue to fight this invisible enemy, we need to keep calm and put on our best show in this, while we set sail on the same boat together.

Going by the ongoing mandate to maintain our social distance, couples and families around the US are facing challenges when it comes to postponing, reconfiguring, and replanning their wedding date. If you are a couple who is looking to replan and postpone your wedding date, our heart goes out for you. You are not alone in these uncertain times, as the biggest minds in the wedding industry are dealing with the woes and working together through new standards, procedures, and ideas to support couples across the globe.

As you navigate your way through these uncharted waters, rest assured that we are constantly putting our heads together to dodge the Coronavirus bullet for the moment and bringing in the best support we can, in hope for a brighter and sunnier tomorrow. Our guide to wedding postponement planning in the time of Coronavirus when it comes to dealing with vendors might be the solution you have been looking for. Take a look.

Being proactive

It’s okay if you want to take your time to deal and cope with the sudden change in plan. We understand how everyone is dealing with this differently and there is no perfect way, as it changes from person to person. However, once you feel a little better and ready to take charge of the postponement planning of your wedding, start with a mass e-mail to your vendors. Especially if your wedding was in a state of an outbreak or planned internationally, you should list out the dates that will be feasible for you, and ask them for their convenience to make it work together. 

Many wedding experts recommend dividing your wedding vendors into two groups- the primary and the secondary. Reaching out to the primary services that include vendors like your wedding photographer and videographer, florist, entertainment unit, and catering service provider. After confirming their dates, you can move on to the secondary wedding vendors who can cover more than one wedding in a day like the cake baker, stationery designer, the rental companies, etc. 

The vendors’ availability

As a second step of discussing a postponement of the wedding with your vendors, note down their available dates. It is crucial to understand that like every business, even the wedding vendors’ business is getting jabbed by the pandemic situation. Hence it is very vital for you to understand your vendor’s point of view as they are fighting their own battles when it comes to handling their economy and business. It is best to retain the already booked vendors as they understand your requirements better. It also saves your time as you do not have to make them understand everything from scratch. "If you speak to people’s hearts, that’s the best way to continue the relationships. It’s all about perspective!”, says Jove Meyer, founder, and principal of Jove Meyer Events in New York City.

Understanding is the key

Being empathetic is the key to successfully handling wedding vendors while postponing your wedding. It is very likely that your vendors may be booked or unavailable on your new wedding date due to the huge rate of wedding postponements. The deposits might also be nonrefundable, depending on their cancellation policies, but instead of losing your mind while convincing them, ask for a recommendation, as they are likely to have resourceful contacts that will surely help you. You can also ask if they have a Team B on board, in case Team A is unavailable. Always remember that you hired them because you appreciated and loved their work. Hence we have to rise to an occasion like this and support one another, as we work as a tight-knit community that has been hit by this unseen enemy. 

Flex with budget

"You may lose here financially if everyone doesn’t have the same dates available. Be prepared for that and remember this is a hard time for everyone involved," says Stefanie Cove of Stefanie Cove & Co. in Los Angeles.

While postponing your wedding date, you might consider re-budgeting your wedding, especially in the case of perishable goods. For instance, if your florist already ordered flowers two weeks before the wedding date, and you are postponing or canceling the wedding date within that time frame, you have to recognize that those flowers have already been ordered. And the same is the case with certain food items, that the caterer might order just a week or two before the wedding. In a time of natural emergency like this one, we are all in this together and we have to be flexible while supporting each other.

Gratitude for the team

When this storm passes, and all this said and done, you have to thank your team who supported you with all they had to move the wedding to a new date. Be sure to thank your vendors, and help them in the best way possible - by recommending their services to people who are also planning to get married or give them a shoutout on Social Media. If you have the ability to be extra generous, tip your vendors, especially if they have outdone themselves given the circumstance.

Most importantly, take care of yourself and your loved ones in this difficult situation. It is so easy to lose hope and become cranky at a time like this. But, you know what should keep your boat sailing? The love for your sweetheart and planning the special day to make it more perfect and blissful. It is time to plan to the littlest of details while sipping your coffee in leisure and reading bridal magazines like there is no tomorrow

"You may lose here financially if everyone doesn’t have the same dates available. Be prepared for that and remember this is a hard time for everyone involved," says Stefanie Cove of Stefanie Cove & Co. in Los Angeles.

While postponing your wedding date, you might consider re-budgeting your wedding, especially in the case of perishable goods. For instance, if your florist already ordered flowers two weeks before the wedding date, and you are postponing or canceling the wedding date within that time frame, you have to recognize that those flowers have already been ordered. And the same is the case with certain food items, that the caterer might order just a week or two before the wedding. In a time of natural emergency like this one, we are all in this together and we have to be flexible while supporting each other.

Gratitude for the team

When this storm passes, and all this said and done, you have to thank your team who supported you with all they had to move the wedding to a new date. Be sure to thank your vendors, and help them in the best way possible - by recommending their services to people who are also planning to get married or give them a shoutout on Social Media. If you have the ability to be extra generous, tip your vendors, especially if they have outdone themselves given the circumstance.

Most importantly, take care of yourself and your loved ones in this difficult situation. It is so easy to lose hope and become cranky at a time like this. But, you know what should keep your boat sailing? The love for your sweetheart and planning the special day to make it more perfect and blissful. It is time to plan to the littlest of details while sipping your coffee in leisure and reading bridal magazines like there is no tomorrow