I've Postponed My Wedding...Now What? 5 Tips on what to do now that your date has officially changed4/29/2020
1. Communication is key! Now it is time to officially let your guests know of the change. Here are a couple of options based on where you are in your invitation process: If your wedding invites have already been mailed: Contact your guests ASAP. Start with those that RSVPd YES and ask them to update their RSVP with you. After you have a revised headcount of the YES list, you can then extend to those that said NO to see if they can make it on the new date. We recommend emailing or texting your guests to get the word out asap. Update your website as well. You could even create a cute graphic of you and your fiancé to attach to the email and keep the JOY in this new plan! If your wedding invitations have been printed: You can work with your stationer on options for re-printing or sending a new piece to update your guests. You can also do this digitally to get the word out asap - an email works with a link to your updated wedding website or if you prefer to mail something, our friend from Els cards has some great FREE options available! If you have designed your invites, or are working on your design, but have yet to print: Ask your stationer for their recommendations for sending out invitations during this time. Seeing that your guests already received a save the date, you may want to alert them via email first and then send out your invites with the new date. Here is an example of an email that one of our clients sent to their guests: Dear Family and Friends, In light of the Coronavirus Pandemic, and with an abundance of caution, we have decided to postpone our wedding to NEW DATE. Many details are still in the process of being worked out and will be updated on our website as soon as they are available. If you have any information about hotels add it here! Needless to say we are so sad that our country is facing this horrible crisis and are praying that we all come through this as quickly as possible. So please take care of yourselves, stay safe. We love you all and can’t wait to celebrate! 2. Review Your Wedding Vision If your new wedding date is a different season, do you need to change your entire wedding vision?? We understand the urge to change with season or if you feel a new direction is what you need to “move on” from your original date. However, we believe that your wedding should still emulate you and your other half and if that means spring colors in fall, then go for it! Anything goes this year - we can’t wait to see bright colors in October! If you still feel you need to make a change, there are small ways to adjust the wedding, like considering new flowers that are in season for your new date or adding a color to your color palette that can add a new layer to your wedding design without starting from scratch! Either way, we know your wedding plans may look different but will still have the most important parts...you and your other half! 3. Revisit Important Planning Dates and Appointments During this process you may have also had some important dates on your calendar that revolve around your wedding planning, like tastings, hair and makeup trials or dress fittings. Review your calendar and see if you still have appointments that need to be updated and contact your vendors to change the date. Also, if you have scheduled any in person meetings between now and mid May, you may want to connect with that vendor to see if they would rather do a video call instead #stayhome 4. Shifting Stays If your guests have booked their accommodations and you had a room block in place, check in with your hotels about shifting your block and the current reservations to your new date. If your guests have yet to make their reservations, update your wedding website with new room block information and we recommend suggesting they secure trip insurance for peace of mind! Honeymoon plans in place? We recommend reaching out to a pro to help with your options, Susan Peavey Travel. 5. Celebrate Your Original Wedding Date
You have had your original wedding date set with a heart around it on your calendar for a long time, so why not find a way to still celebrate together! Here are some ideas we have on how you can still make this day special while you are home. #alonetogether
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The month of March 2020 has reminded us the importance of our job as wedding planners. We have spent hours with our couples listening to their fears and feeling their heartbreak that their wedding plans are or may be shifting. As we have guided our couples through the postponement process, we wanted to share some helpful tips that we have found keep our couples staying positive through this unprecedented time. #alonetogether Take Care...So you just watched the news and learned that your wedding date could be affected by a travel ban or stay at home order...yea, it's natural to feel a little stuck! Uncertainty can be uncomfortable and scary. It’s okay to have these feelings and when you do, we recommend finding your way to feel those feelings and then rally! Whether it’s yoga, meditation, screaming into a pillow, dancing it out or taking a couple of days to unplug and binge watch that show on Netflix. (Tiger King... what?!) Take care of yourself and take advantage of some extra time to reconnect with your future husband or wife! Your wedding planning may look a little different but you always have a reason to celebrate! Ask for help!After you have danced it out...turn to your wedding planner for guidance on the first steps to take if you are considering postponing your wedding day. If you don’t have a wedding planner, connect with your venue or catering manager about your potential options. Chances are they have had this conversation with other couples as well. Remember, there may be couples whose wedding dates are before yours and may be first in line but you picked your vendor team for a reason and we (and they) are all hoping to continue working with you in the future. (Extra tip here: If you would like to stay in the year of 2020, consider “off” dates like Fridays, Sundays or even Mondays! You may have a better chance of moving your entire vendor team to your new wedding date.) “It was incredibly reassuring knowing that Jamie was by our side, helping us through this difficult time, so much more than a planner, but a friend and a comforter. Huddle Up! (Virtually)We are lucky enough to have so many virtual ways to connect with our loved ones today… remember when there was no internet? (You may not but, we promise there was a time!) Schedule a Facetime, Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp call with your core group and fill them in on how you are feeling and that your plans may be changing. Ask for positive vibes only and ask for extra help as you navigate the postponement process. Vendor Survey Says!Touch base with all of your vendors. (Including your attire providers and accommodations!) If you are considering a plan B, it can feel like a little daunting to reach out to all of your vendors at once. Your planner can assist here! If not, try sending an email to yourself and bcc your vendors for a quick check in about your alternate date(s) or try an online poll if you have multiple dates you are considering! (Tip: Doodle polls) Take a moment to review your contracts before you contact your vendors and have an idea of additional questions you may want to ask when they respond about your potential new date. Friendly reminder, this is an unprecedented situation for everyone but, we are #allinittogether! “Working with Cape Cod celebrations is by far one of the best decisions we’ve made while wedding planning. Stephanie has been an absolute life saver and truly a pleasure to work with. I’m SO incredibly grateful for all of her help, expertise and guidance. Last but not least!From bridal showers & engagement parties to rehearsal dinners & brunches...There are many events that are part of your wedding planning. Here’s your opportunity to lean on your community for sure! Whether you can re-schedule or need to find a new venue for a future date... throw a virtual party on the original date of your event. We all need reasons to celebrate right now! FInal Thoughts...Reframing your hopes and expectations of your wedding day is likely the last thing you thought you would be doing. We are with you there!! But we take heart in the amazing ways our couples and all of the couples out there have found ways to move forward with love, with humor, with light and with joy! Wedding days will return and we can’t wait to celebrate!
Looking for more tips for staying sane and on task with your wedding plans while at home? Pop over to our most recent blog post and check out our tips, with other wedding vendors, on Loverly. |
Plan. Relax. Enjoy.At Cape Cod Celebrations, your vision is our brand. Learn more about how we can help you pull together your beautiful Cape Cod Wedding. Archives
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