wedding-planning-for-coronavirus-natural-disasters

What to Do When the Unexpected Affects Your Wedding Planning

There’s a lot to think about when wedding planning. But no matter how many hours you’ve devoted to considering every detail, sometimes the unexpected happens. Natural disasters, travel issues, a global pandemic. If the Coronavirus crisis has taught us anything, it’s that even the most organized wedding planner sometimes faces factors outside of their control. And, while there’s only so much you can do to control some situations, it’s important to prepare for the unexpected. Hopefully, your contingency planning will come to nothing, but knowing there’s a Plan B in place will help to make the whole process a lot less stressful. Here are a few top tips to help you.

Don’t panic. Of course, this is emotional and personal – it’s your wedding, after all! But try to let your rational side stay in the driving seat as you sit down as a couple or with your wedding planner and assess all your options. It’s important to know what all the moving parts are and to have a Plan B in place.

Check your contracts. It’s vital that you understand the details of all your vendor contracts, especially when it comes to cancellation policies (ahead of time). Some will contain clauses for natural disasters and other unforeseen pitfalls. Others may be non-refundable and non-transferrable. Always read the fine print before signing on the dotted line, and keep all contracts together for easy reference. If you haven’t already invested in insurance, do. Make sure this is as flexible and extensive as possible.

Communicate with your vendors. Many vendors will go out of their way to find a happy solution to any issues. However, it’s important that you communicate with them effectively. Remain composed and speak calmly, and you are more likely to come up with a viable game plan together.

Consider postponing. It’s an extremely difficult decision, but once you’ve weighed everything, you may find that postponing the wedding is your best option. While it may be heartbreaking, your safety and that of your family and friends should always be paramount. Waiting until the last minute can make the whole situation that much more stressful, so when you feel the moment is right, make the call.

Keep your guests informed. You’re not the only ones who will be questioning the situation should a natural disaster occur. This is especially true for a destination wedding where travel is involved. Keep guests informed as any major situation develops and designate a phone number for them to call. This is also where a wedding website can come in handy as part of your wedding planning.

Stay positive. Whatever happens, try to roll with it and stay positive. Remember, while your wedding is important, it’s there to celebrate the love you share. Lean on that love when you need to and know that as a team, you can conquer anything!

xoxo,
Mindy

Image by Jose Villa