“Postpone or Not to Postpone” That’s the Question

 

There’s no doubt that the Global Pandemic is not under control yet and with constant uncertainty and changing of the rules on daily basis, we are all still being affected one way or another.

Who could ever predict that the wedding industry (as well as many other industries) can come to a standstill literally overnight?

With various lockdowns and restrictions, it must be so hard to get excited about planning your big day.

I feel so sorry for all the couples who are trying their best to keep going and still finding the strength to carry on and not give up on their big day.

Please don’t forget I am here to help and support you as much as I can so if you have any questions or dilemmas please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Many of us trying to figure out when we’ll be able to return back to normal and if the future normal will be the same as we use to know prior to the pandemic ?!? Nobody really knows the answers to those questions which causes loads of stress and anxiety.

 

As it stands most of my couples who booked their wedding in 2021 have the hard decision whether to:

• Go ahead as planned and accept there may be some restrictions related to a global pandemic, or

• Postpone their wedding to a later date and hope there will be no restrictions on their new date, or

• Cancel their wedding for now and see what happens later on this year and start to plan again once this madness is all over.

There is also another option, sitting somewhere in-between;

• To Stick to the original date (or even bring this day forward) and get married in the presents of witnesses/the closest family and have the bigger wedding reception/full wedding sometimes in the future once there are no restrictions.

 

I really feel your frustration in trying to picture your special day in this new climate as levels of uncertainty are still very high.

One thing I know for sure is that your wedding will be BEAUTIFUL AND VERY SPECIAL  regardless of what you’ll decide to do.

You’ll still get butterflies just before walking down the aisle, you still get to exchange your vows and the rings to become officially married and you still will be celebrating your marriage one way or another creating those unforgettable memories.

So please don’t put too much pressure on yourselves and try to do what is best for you TWO and not anybody else !!

If you struggle to picture what a Covid Wedding looks like, please have a look at my last wedding in 2020 where the couple after numerous postponement decided to bite the bullet and brought their wedding “forward” to get married just in front of their children.

They will also plan their big wedding reception once all the restrictions are removed.

Please see their micro wedding here:

https://latzo.co.uk/london-chelsea-hall-micro-wedding/

 

HOW TO POSTPONE YOUR WEDDING DAY?

Before you decide to postpone, split, or cancel your wedding the most important thing is to check your contract/agreements with all of your wedding suppliers.

Before booking your new day with your wedding venue please make sure your wedding suppliers are available, and if not what is the cancelation policy.

To avoid unwanted surprises please make sure you are familiar with possible charges related to your postponement or cancelation.

The good news is:

If your wedding can’t go ahead because of the Global Pandemic restrictions are not allowing it ( you are in lockdown or in a high TIER where weddings can’t go ahead ) most of your suppliers should be able to postpone your wedding free of charge or possibly return your deposit if you decide to cancel completely (I hope this won’t be a case though).

However;

If your wedding can still go ahead and you would like to postpone/cancel because you are uncertain what restrictions there will be, there may be some additional charges.. so please check your contracts and your suppliers.

If you decide to split your day into two separate days, most likely you’ll have to get in touch with every supplier individually to see what deal you can negotiate.

You must be prepared that some of your suppliers won’t be able to make it for your new date, therefore please set your priorities.

The first place to secure should be the wedding venue – always ask for all the available dates they’ve got left.

Once you’ve picked your suitable dates start contacting your wedding suppliers securing the most important ones at first working your way down the list.

It may not be easy “to put all the puzzles back together” so please don’t be shy to contact us “your wedding suppliers” to give you a hand.

Once again: We are here to help and want to see you having the time of your life as much as you do 🙂

Just please bear in mind all the wedding suppliers are going through a very tough time literally trying to survive …

I believe if we all be honest, kind, and understanding we will get through this just fine !!!

Here are some of my suggestions which I think will make your rearrangement easier:

– Consider midweek dates, suppliers will find it easier to do this and you are more likely to find dates all your existing suppliers can do

– If  postponing – Push it back as far as you’re comfortable, although it seems like we may be seeing the end of the tunnel..one never knows

– Make decisions as swiftly as possible because I and all your suppliers are dealing with a high number of reschedules, making decisions sooner rather than later will mean you have more choice of dates

– If you struggle to book your registrar, consider to have a humanist celebrant to conduct a highly personal wedding ceremony (you still have to get married legally at the registry office before or after the wedding)

For me, the most important thing is to consistently treat everybody with respect, care, and support.

If you are thinking about your 1st postponement I have this standard procedure in place:

 

What are my cancelation/postponement policies

 

If your wedding can’t go ahead due to Covid-19 ( the national lockdown rules prevent it )

– Please get in touch ASAP to see my availability

– You’ll be asked to fill in a new contract for your new date, this will replace your existing booking with me

– Your initial payment from your current booking will carry across to the new booking with no penalties, so you’re not out-of-pocket at all

– If possible please pay 50% of your balance payment at the time of rearrangement

– Your remaining balance will be due a month before the new date

(2nd postponement – Please see your T&C within your 1st postponement contract!)

 

We are not in the national lockdown, weddings can go ahead with some possible restrictions;

– Please get in touch ASAP to see my availability

– I won’t be charging you any cancelations fee, however, you’ll need to secure your new date with a new booking fee,

– Please fill in a brand new contract now for your new date, your existing booking with me will be canceled

– If you have made any additional payments those will be transferred to your new booking.

(2nd postponement – Please see your T&C within your 1st postponement contract!)

 

If you’d like to split the coverage and still get married on your original day and postpone your wedding reception;

– Please get in touch ASAP and see whether we can alter your package within your existing wedding contract

– If I’m not available for your wedding reception date, I will provide one of my associate photographers to cover the event. I will still edit and deliver your images as originally agreed.

– An additional payment may be required, subject to assessment or an existing contract, your package, and the date you choose for your wedding reception.

If you’d like to cancel your wedding completely;

– Unfortunately, I won’t be able to refund any of your booking fee.

Booking Fees are non-refundable as per my contract.

 

 

I really hope we will get through this as a society very soon and before we know these difficult times will be only a distant memory.

Please don’t forget to get in touch if you need any help or assistance.

I will do my best to make your postponement as stress-free as possible!!

STAY STRONG – STAY SAFE – STAY POSITIVE