Wedding Planning Tips during COVID-19
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty of COVID-19, we want you all to know that you're not alone. Wedding planning is already unchartered territory for most couples, much less when you add the current situation.
We are empathetic for how overwhelmed couples must feel for having to postpone their big day.
We may not have a miracle cure to make your BIG day happen, however, what we can do is to share expert wedding planning advice from various wedding professionals for navigating this complicated experience.
Here, at Santa Barbara Wedding Style, we are focused on creating ways to support our wedding community that’s taking a big hit right now. Here are three things we are doing right now:
We are hosting calls daily M-F with local wedding pros in order to share information, to gauge what is happening and to create creative solutions for our couples.
We have created a resource to help couples one-on-one with their planning via a private Facebook group. JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE.
We have asked the experts, and below we share advice straight from our wedding community:
ADVICE FROM THE PROS:
From Zohe Felici Editor of Santa Barbara Wedding - Join us in supporting small businesses in the wedding industry! Our number one advice is that couples postpone rather than cancel. This is the only way that we can ensure all of our small wedding businesses persevere through this unprecedented time.
KB Events - We have been asking couples what their non-negotiable items are - often that paints a clear picture of shifting to a new date or not on its own. We then ask about guests (are they at-risk, elderly, healthy, traveling internationally or across the country, etc....) to see if the realization of their “demographic” urges them to shift.
No matter when the celebration happens, we remind them that having found the one they love is a treasure in itself. We will get them married and we will get through all of this together!
Most important tip: communicate! Your planners have already done this several times and have a plan in place to make it easy for you. They can also likely answer the questions swimming around in your head and put some apprehensions at ease - lean on us!
Riviera Productions - One thing about getting married in Santa Barbara that I love is all the vendors who know each other and work together so often. When I get asked for recommendations I can always list local vendors who know me and my style and I know them so on the wedding day it’s seamless- we get there and get to work and help each other out wherever we can. And we truly like each other so we look forward to being there for your big day and seeing our colleagues is the icing on the (wedding) cake. :-)
Magnolia Event Design - I would say, this will pass and while the unknown of it all is really tough, you and your guests will want something joyous to celebrate as soon as possible, so plan your wedding, your bridal showers, and bachelorette parties, but we willing to move/shuffle dates if need be. I think being flexible is the best advice I can give someone planning their wedding for right now and for late Summer and Fall couples to have a little extra patience as the vendors are dealing with something they have never dealt with before and are trying to help everyone. They may take a little longer to respond than normal, but that doesn't mean you aren't important to them.
Hang in there and continue planning, assuming you are able to.
Look to your planner to bounce ideas off of and to walk through possible scenarios.
RSVP Events - This is unprecedented in our lifetime. For couples with dates in the next 4 months that have not yet been postponed or canceled, it is advisable to consider possible alternative dates. Being flexible will be the key to your sanity. EVERYONE is trying to reschedule at the same time and it is possible that your preferred dates will be taken. Be Patient with your vendors as they help you navigate these choppy waters. They are doing their best to make sure you have the wedding that you are dreaming of despite all the new obstacles placed in the way.
Santa Barbara Wedding Coordinator - I encourage couples to be open to unconventional things, like a weekday for postponement. This would open up many more available dates for your vendors for postponing, and your overall costs may go down as well.
Cody Floral Design - If you want to just be married.... have one person marry you and celebrate later with an outstanding reception when this is all over. Your friends and family will be ready to party and celebrate YOUR LOVE! Postponing is ok too.... remember that your team of vendors want this as much as you do! We can’t wait to get back to work, doing what we love.... providing beautiful events- weddings for you!
Flying Flags Resort has published the following article on Rocky Mountain Bride:
10 Tips to Navigate Wedding Planning during a Pandemic
Be compassionate, be flexible, and be empathetic. We are all in this together.
You have options! We know you may be directly affected by government-mandated regulations and travel restrictions making it impossible to travel or gather with a certain number of guests. Most vendors are providing vouchers or credits for future use.
Getting married May through June? Explore back-up dates with all vendors.
Stay the course, many venues will ask you to remain within the same calendar year.
Set on a Saturday? Be open to shoulder days versus Saturdays which may already be taken throughout the year.
Not ready to make a decision? Ask for flexibility to trigger the back-up dates 30 days ahead of time.
How can you be protected when you stick with your selected date or when you are selecting a back-up date? Ask about waiving or softening attrition and writing in a clause that addresses the right to reschedule.
If you are dealing with negative financial impacts associated with the current economy do not be afraid to ask for an amended payment schedule.
Remember that your vendors must be mindful of their business and brand as well. Expect to pay for services rendered.
Don’t forget why you chose each other and chose that date. Do something special to mark the day your wedding was supposed to happen. Take the time to do something special with your fiancé that reminds you of why you fell in love and why you are getting married.
