6 Things to do When Your Wedding is Postponed
It’s what no one wants to talk about, but we’re talking about it. What do you do when you have to postpone your wedding? Couples whose nuptials are set to take place in fall and winter are now wondering if their own weddings will share the same fate as spring and summer 2020 weddings.
While everyone seems to be postponing their weddings right now, delayed nuptials aren’t a new thing. People can postpone for any reason: health issues, weather, money… the list goes on.
There are a few logistical pieces to postponing your wedding, especially when you have already sent out invitations. We hope that the steps below will help take some of the stress out of this process.
Step 1: Tell your guests
First, inform your guests that you are no longer getting married on your original date. Even if you don’t know your new date yet, it is important to let them know so they can try to refund plane tickets or hotel rooms.
Do not feel guilty about postponing, either. Stuff happens, and in the case of this year, BIG STUFF has happened. Your guests will understand. We promise.
Step 2: Talk to your vendors
If you are working with a wedding planner, they will be able to handle this part for you. Otherwise, you will be responsible for communicating the change in plans to vendors.
Whether you can get your deposit back or not will depend on each vendor and the terms of your agreement. While many vendors have been willing to work with COVID couples, keep in mind that you might have to compromise here.
Step 3: Solidify a new date
We recommend compiling a list of about 10 dates you think you might want for your new wedding. Send these to each vendor and ask them to indicate which dates they are available. Then, cross-reference each vendors’ availability and pick your new date based on that.
Keep in mind: dates for 2021 are filling up fast. Be open to Fridays and Sundays, as Saturdays are the most in-demand dates. If you “marry now, party later” – which we’ll discuss below – you can even consider pushing your reception to 2022 if you want to give yourself more time to plan something over-the-top.
Step 4: Decide if you want to marry now, party later
Now, just because the wedding is temporarily off, doesn’t mean the marriage is! If you still want to get married on your original wedding date, you can absolutely do that! Throw a small ceremony with your closest loved ones (health permitting and at a safe distance). You can even live stream your wedding ceremony to the original guest list so that no one misses out on the fun!
Then, use your original venue and vendors for a big shindig in a year or so. The further out you push your party, the more dates you will have available to you. And, hopefully by that point, things will be as normal as possible.
Step 5: Update guests
After you find a new date and make a plan, keep your guests in the loop about the next steps. If you are pushing back both the ceremony and the reception, let your guests know when and where that will be taking place.
If you decide to go forward with a micro wedding and reception, you may need to un-invite some people from your original guest list. While you’ve already told them that the original plan is off, you should still follow up with them on your new plan, so they don’t feel as if they’ve been ghosted. Inform them that due to current circumstances, you have decided to have a smaller wedding. In this instance, we would suggest having a virtual wedding element so that they can still help you celebrate from afar. Be sure to check out our advice on wording your virtual wedding invitations to help with this part!
Step 6: Celebrate anyways
Who says you can’t still celebrate on your original wedding date? That day will always be special to you and your boo, so pop some champagne and have a mini celebration. Wedding or not, love is always worth celebrating.
Whether you’re postponing the whole thing, marrying now and partying later, or just downsizing, we can help you live stream your wedding to any loved ones who can’t be there to celebrate in-person.