Let’s be honest. If you’re having to postpone your wedding due to unforeseen circumstances, it’s never fun (or super easy). However, I did want to hop on the blog today to help provide important tips to help make this unexpected transition as easy as possible. Following these steps will help ease you through the process of changing your wedding date, so you can get back to the fun parts of wedding planning ASAP!
Have a Discussion with Your Wedding Planner
Your wedding planner has their finger on the pulse of the wedding industry, and will tell you what they feel would be the best amount of time between your current wedding date and your future one. Take time with your planner to weigh out the pros and cons of each of your options when it comes to your new wedding plans, to find the best solution for you and your fiance.
Read the Contracts for Your Venue and Vendors
It is important to know the ins and outs of each contract, and what each vendor’s policy is for refunds or rescheduling. This can help guide you to make the best decisions when it comes to your new wedding plans. Additionally, if you hired your planner for more than month-of coordination, they will read all of your contracts to let you know what your options are, and the best way to move forward.
Be Flexible
It is important to have an open mind when it comes to your new wedding date. In the beginning of the rescheduling process, you can try for Saturday dates, but keep in mind that many vendors may already be booked on those prime dates. It is important to consider Fridays, Sundays, or even weekdays as a backup plan. Just remember, it will be the best day of your life, no matter which date it happens on!
Communicate with Your Venue and Vendors
It is important to take the time to find out which dates would work best for your current vendor team. You and your wedding planner will need to reach out to your venue and wedding vendors to see which dates they have available in the future (6 to 12 months from now). Compare these dates to see which ones will work best for everyone, so that you can still have your dream team of vendors working your wedding!
Select a New Date
Once you speak with your venue and vendor team, it’s time to select a new date that works for everyone as soon as possible. Making this decision sooner than later will ensure that you incur the least amount of changes to your dream team.
Receive Contract Addendums
Once you have chosen a new wedding date with all or most of your wedding vendors, have them send you an addendum to their contracts for you to sign. Make sure you have a copies of these addendums on file with both your signature and the signature of the vendor.
Select New Vendors (If Applicable)
Hopefully, you were able to salvage most or all of your original vendor team! However, if a few of them were unavailable on your new date, work with your wedding planner to find the right replacements for your big day.
Inform Your Guests of the New Date
If you have already sent out your invitations, you can put this information on your wedding website, and send out a link for your guests to read the latest updates. You can also send a “Change the Date” card, or directly message your guests, letting them know of the change.
Continue the Planning Process
Now that the hard part is over, you, your fiance, and your planner can continue to work together to make your dream wedding come to life!
On a Personal Note...
I’m so sorry that your wedding is being affected by this global crisis. Please feel free to reach out to me any time if you have questions, concerns, or even just want to vent! I’d love to help you sort through this difficult time, and make sure that you still get your dream wedding, no matter what date it happens on!
I wish you and your fiance all the best!
