Photo by Tavo Cota Fotografia
Recommendations If You Are Planning Your Wedding In These Times of COVID-19
1. What to do if you need to postpone your wedding?
My recommendation is to calm down, as there is no reason to stress out. It’s important to be flexible. There are always solutions for everything.
Talk with your fiancé to come with a plan B. Start thinking in what other month you would like to move your wedding date. Then talk with your Wedding Planner so together you can create a plan to reschedule with all your vendors. Your wedding planner will review each of your vendor’s contracts and call each of them to check their next available dates in the month you have chosen. After finding a common date for most of your vendors. It’s important to be open in case one or a few of your vendors are booked on the second date you chose, but they can still offer their services with colleagues or assistants. If they are offering you that option, it’s because they can assure you a great service.
Prioritize your vendors in this order:
1) Wedding Planner
2) Venue
3) Catering
4) Bar
5) Invitations
6) Photographer
7) Florist
8) DJ
9) Shuttles
10) Cake
Your wedding planner will make everything possible to negotiate with your vendors.
2. What is my advice for those couples who are considering eloping instead of the big wedding?
I’m a big supporter of doing what feels right to you and your fiancé, since it’s one of the most special days in your lives. It’s important that any decision you make, you do it with complete certainty and follow your gut. If that’s the route you take, just check the policies on the vendors you already committed to and your wedding planner can negotiate with them. My personal opinion is I always like to help others. In order to keep the economy functioning, it’s important to support local business. These times we are living in won’t last forever, they’re temporary. You can still have your love celebration just in another day. I’m sure your guests will appreciate it.
3. What words of encouragement and advice do I have for couples wanting to continue to plan their wedding for 2020 and for those getting engaged during this Pandemic?
I’d like to encourage those couples that are still planning their wedding for 2020 to keep working on it. Make sure you are prepared; ask your vendors for their policies in case of rescheduling. This is a time to get inspired, get ideas for your wedding, there is plenty of time since we all are staying home. You can continue working with your planner through phone calls, emails, Facetime, etc. Thank goodness for the Internet!
Photo by Jamie English Photography
Where to Start When Planning a Wedding?
Start finding inspiration to define your wedding style. Think about color palette, theme and event location first. Possible themes and settings include, but are not limited to: beach, barn, winery, ballroom type of wedding, intimate or a big bash. What look and feel appeal to you as a couple?
Here is a list of what you can start working on:
- Set your budget.
- Choose tentative dates for your wedding (Be open to a couple dates when you start seeing venues).
- Create your wedding guest list. I recommend dividing it into three lists: A) Family and Close Friends; B) Friends and Coworkers; and C) Acquaintances (Your budget will later determine who to invite).
- Find your Wedding Planner. This will be a very strategic and helpful person to have around during your wedding process. Don’t skimp on their services. The ease you will feel during the process and the joy you will have for your big day are priceless.
- Start searching for your reception venue (This step is easier when you have your Wedding Planner to help narrow it down for you both).
- Start selecting your wedding vendors in order of priority. First choose the ones that will be there on your wedding all day, such as: Catering, Bar, Officiant, Photographer, Band/DJ, etc.
- Start creating your wedding website and choose your “save the dates,” ideally 4-6 months before the wedding.
In summary, define your wedding vision, know your budget, find the vendors with whom you click, and most importantly: define the common goal for your big day.
As a wedding planner I get asked this question all the time: “How do you plan a wedding that stands out from the crowd?” My answer to that is bring what is most important for you and what you want to share with your guests, such as a romantic ambiance, amazing food, a fun party. It all depends on your preference.