The #coronacouples Are Coming

Too soon? Fair enough. COVID-19 is no laughing matter. But everyone handles tragedy differently, and for us, we use levity as a form of healing.

Like many industries, the arts, events, and entertainment community are detrimentally impacted by COVID-19. After the initial wave of cancellations, wedding couples scrambled to reschedule. At present, the postponement trend still leans towards fall-winter 2020 weddings. But we’ve also seen a dramatic trend towards 2021 postponements.

Don’t get us wrong, we’re not suggesting anyone move their wedding to 2021. But can you blame the inclination? With so much uncertainty, who knows what 2020’s “new normal” may look like??

Slowly, but surely, more and more couples are eyeballing 2021, rather than 2020, as prime-time for rescheduling.

What’s this mean? Depends on your vantage point:

Wedding Vendors

Short term, it’s terrifying. These folks spent years crafting a service worthy of filling a 2020 schedule. Every date they reschedule from Spring of 2020 to Fall of 2020 is a potential loss they can never recoup. And now, they begin seeing a trend towards 2021? Ouch.

Long term, there’s no doubt 2021 has the potential to be absolute gangbusters for wedding vendors who whether the storm.

The Saturdays are filling up faster, and the typically less populated Fridays and Sundays will become desirable options for clients left without available Saturdays. 

Prospective Couples/Clients

The #covidcouples Are Coming for your dates! Seriously. The wedding industries’ booking cycle just got a 5-month jump start. Couples who would typically be planning their 2021 weddings in the Summer-Fall of 2020 are finalizing their plans now. We have friends across the industry reporting sold-out dates for 2021 Saturdays that they would generally have open through the fall of 2020.

It’s crazy. Needless to say, if you are eyeballing 2021 for either a newly scheduled wedding, or a COVID-19 related reschedule, it’s time to GiddyUp.

That’s it for now. In the meantime, check out our last blog which outlines options for current couples facing challenges with their wedding date being compromised by Covid-19. It’ll provide further perspective in the planning of your 2021 wedding. And remember, at the end of the day, we’re in this together, and this too shall pass.

Weddings & Covid-19; What Are My Options?

With the world in limbo or lockdown, we’ve encountered much uncertainty in our daily lives, let alone wedding planning. There is no doubt that countless wedding couples will face tough decisions with Covid-19 looming large. Our hearts go out to all of you.

With that in mind, we have some suggestions as to how to process your options…

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Communication with your event planner, venue, and all vendors is vital to making this work. Inquire about all available dates remaining in 2020. We’ve even seen “google-form-savy-couples” use these free tools to create tracking methods for multi-vendor availability:

REMAIN FLEXIBLE

With so many unknowns, now isn’t the time to be “married” to specifics (pun intended).

* While a Saturday may have been your first choice, consider Fridays, Sundays, and even Thursdays. Such changes may be necessary to line-up all your vendors.

* Discuss a 2021 postponement

* If you’re working with a company like an entertainment agency or photographer collective, they may have other available, comparable alternatives.

Policy/Pricing

Vendors understand the gravity of the moment and are open to discussing changes in their policies. After all, this is an “act of God.”

Inquire into how they are handling the transfer of deposits, options for changing services, and cancellations. It’s likely your vendor has already developed policies related to Covid-19, you need only ask.

Additionally, ask your invitation designer/printer on any options they might be offering should you need a re-print for a new date.

Remember, we’re all in this together; not only to get through this as a community but to make your special day come to life.