Download your free checklists, vendor guides, and change-the-date templates here:

If you’ve made the difficult decision to postpone your wedding, you may be having a hard time deciding what’s next on your to-do.

No one could have anticipated this quarantine and it’s okay to grieve the loss of your original wedding date. When you’re ready to start planning again, these resources and checklists, provided to us by Zola's original guide to postponing your wedding are below and free to download in order to help you get started.

The first thing on your to-do after you’ve made the decision to postpone your wedding is to let everyone know that plans are changing.

Even if you don’t have a new date chosen, your guests will be happy to know that they can safely celebrate your special day at another time. Don’t be afraid to lean on your wedding party and family for support — they’ll be understanding and want to help you and your partner however they can. 

Here is a sneak preview of our downloadable checklist:

Just like you should notify your guests as soon as possible, the sooner your vendors know the plan is changing the better. Be sure to review your contracts and see what policies your vendors have in place for rescheduling and what’s in their Acts of God clause. In the case of COVID-19, many vendors are adjusting their policies and waving their rescheduling fees when they can. 

Clarify any policy changes on the phone and get them sent over in an email to make sure everyone is on the same page. This way you can adjust your budget as needed and continue the planning process. If you have a wedding planner, then they may make most of the calls for you and will be a huge help in deciphering the vendor contracts. If you don’t have a wedding planner, now may be the time to get one!

Here is a sneak preview of our guide for Questions to ask your vendor:

Now that everyone knows your wedding is delayed, it’s time to choose a new date. Your first call should be to your vendors to see when they’re available. It’s great to have a few dates in mind, but try to stay flexible as Saturdays and in-season dates can be claimed quickly. Once you’ve settled on some available dates you can contact the rest of your vendors to see when they’re available. It’s likely that you won’t be able to keep all of your vendors which means you may lose your deposits, too. The best you can do is be understanding and budget accordingly.

Once you’ve checked in with everyone’s schedules you and your partner can decide which date works best for you. Congratulations! The hardest part is done. You can send out your new invites and enjoy the extra time you get to plan your wedding with the love of your life. 

previewing 1 of 4 templates for change-the-dates: