My upcoming wedding/event and the coronavirus crisis, what should I do?

Many brides to be as well as many future event hosts are fretting about what to do regarding the coronavirus crises. These are confusing and uncertain times and must be navigated carefully, here is a list of what we suggest must be done:

-Don’t cancel, postpone until further notice: The truth is that no one knows how long this pandemic will last or in what position venues and suppliers will be by the time gatherings are allowed again. Call all your suppliers at the earliest convenience and ask them for a deferral of their services.

When Canceling or postponing a contract, always do it in writing but talk to the supplier first. If no big expenses have been incurred, most suppliers will be happy to change the date at no extra cost, difficult times are coming and your business will be greatly appreciated.

-Check the contracts: It’s most important that you waste no time checking the contracts signed with different suppliers as most charge certain sums depending on how close to the date of the event you are.

Some suppliers might not be willing to cooperate or might have incurred in expenses that will have to be honoured. Check your contract and what further losses can be avoided. In some cases maybe something can be done about that item/goods you are being asked to pay, keep it or used in the future when the event is back.

-Pencil in a tentative date with the venue no less than 6/8 months ahead. You might have paid a deposit for the venue and understandably you might not want to lose it. Speak to the venue agent and see if there is alternative date suitable for both that the event can be moved to at no extra cost. Note that venue hire prices might vary depending on the season, so if you move your event to another a more popular season (e.g summer) there might be a difference to be paid.

-Check your wedding insurance: Your right to claim for losses due to your wedding being cancelled is greatly increased as governments make banning of public gatherings an official policy. Contact your insurance straight away.

-Let your guests know: Re-scheduling right now with a firm date can be very tricky and might lead to a further change of date depending on the global situation, the truth is that no one knows what lies ahead. We are all in the same boat and your guests will totally understand that you will want /have to postpone. When communicating with your guests, convey your hopes rather than committing to an specific date: “We look forward to seeing you next summer for our upcoming nuptials”…

-Although we are great advocates of hand written notifications, time is of essence and postal services strained. Email your guests and follow up with a call. If the idea of an email is not appealing to you, there are many online services that offer “digital cards” that look good. Follow up with a call for an extra special personal touch.