POSTPONING YOUR

your wedding T i p s f r o m t h e p r o s Postponing Here’s what to do

Photo by Tilley Photography

By Jean McGrury

Jean McGrury is owner, primary wedding planner and designer with After the Proposal Weddings & Events. Reach her at (228) 326-4853.

In these unprecedented times, more and more couples are taking the advice of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit group gatherings because of COVID-19. Consequently, some couples are either postponing their weddings or considering alternative options.

If you must reschedule or significantly adjust your big day, here’s the steps you should take: 1) TELL YOUR VENDORS ASAP

Should you and your partner decide to postpone your wedding, the first people to contact are the ones tasked with making it happen. Your pros should be understanding of your decision and can help provide additional guidance on the next steps. Better yet, hire a wedding planner who will take care of everything for you. My suggestion is to call the venue and church first to see what available dates they have open, then task yourself with coordinating all the other vendors on date options. Do not delay! 2) CREATE A COMMUNICATION PLAN TO INFORM YOUR GUESTS

The easiest and most effective way to relay your message is via your wedding website or via email and phone calls. A simple message that’s to the point is best. If you have a room block, you may want to reach out to the hotel to see if you can negotiate a full or partial refund on your guests’ behalf. Regarding the invitation, contact the printer and ask if they are giving discounts on reprinting the invitation and RSVP card. Remember you will not need to pay for the envelopes. 3) BE FLEXIBLE

When working with your vendors to reschedule, try to keep an open mind. While your original date may have landed on a Saturday, securing another Saturday later in the year may not be possible. Consider other days of the week like a Friday or Sunday. You may get a discount, and yes, the guests will come. I got married on a Tuesday night, and everyone showed up. 4) LET YOURSELF GRIEVE

It is OK to feel disappointed or be upset, and it is important to acknowledge your feelings and understand that they are valid. How about having a nice dinner and a bottle of champagne to acknowledge your original wedding date? That way, you will have two anniversaries to celebrate!

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