To reschedule or not reschedule: that is the question for upcoming Texas weddings. As we enter into the second half of 2020 and the coronavirus information changes on a daily basis, more and more couples are looking into their options for their upcoming nuptials. We have created a list of information, tips, and facts for those couples considering rescheduling their 2020 wedding date. It may be a bitter pill to swallow, but we aren’t going to sugarcoat this for you. Your vendors need to be upfront and honest about what you are asking so together we can make the best decision.
Keeping Your Original Date
THING TO NOTE 1: This option shouldn’t require you to pay any more additional fees over what you have already agreed to pay each vendor per their contract. Another perk of keeping your wedding date includes not having to deal with the hassle of rescheduling vendors and letting guests know about the change. Also, there is no guarantee that you will get the future date that you are hoping for. Below, we are going to hit on some other major concerns of keeping your wedding date and some tips to making it work.
THING TO NOTE 2: Your guests will all have to wear masks. There are some exceptions that you can research further. The two mainly addressed at weddings: 1) exemption for religious ceremonies (bride, groom, etc do not have to wear masks during ceremony) and 2) masks can be removed while people are eating and drinking at their table. Again, at this point in time, masks are our greatest weapon against the spread of the virus. Embrace the mask! Have custom masks made for guests, have guests decorate their mask, or have a competition on the best mask.
THING TO NOTE 3: Everyone will need to social distance, especially when not wearing masks. Therefore your layout for ceremony and reception need to have guests that haven’t been quarantined together separated by at least 6ft. Get creative with your layouts and make the meal the highlight of the evening. The way your food and drink will be delivered will need to be adapted. Most people are opting for tableside service and others are using staff at a double wide buffet table. The point is that your friends and family can be together on your special day, just a little further apart.
THING TO NOTE 4: Guest count is another major factor that couples are considering. First, you have the capacity limit to your venue. Secondly, you have the immune compromised guests and elderly not able to attend. Thirdly, you have out of state guests that may not be able to travel the distance. And lastly, you have the guests that do not feel comfortable attending a wedding at this time. Not to mention any infected guests that won’t be able to attend. To be honest, not all of your guests were going to be able to come whether coronavirus happened or not. Embrace the smaller guest count and put the budget saved toward upgrading your other vendor services.You can serve Filet Mignon, a high end bar menu, double your bloom count in centerpieces, or even buy a second wedding dress for reception. Get creative! And for those that aren’t able to attend, discuss with your vendors and venue the option to livestream the ceremony. We absolutely also encourage the hiring of a videographer for the day.
THING TO NOTE 5: Of course, your wedding is a social gathering and there is always the chance a guest may contract the virus. Check with your venue and vendor to get a full list of all the protocols they are following. Please follow all of the mandates and if you are open to it, add a few more coronavirus road blocks. Check temperatures at the door and not allow guests with fever to enter. Give masks and hand sanitizer as gifts to guests. Give your guest a heads up on procedures and remind them to stay home if they are not feeling well. Wear masks! Especially if you are dancing. Social distance on the dance floor as well as throughout the venue. Only eat and drink at the tables and wear masks throughout the rest of the night. Discuss with the venue having a staff member wipe down heavy used surfaces and to have hand sanitizer stations throughout the venue. Research to find any other options that will decrease the possibility of spreading germs.
Reschedule to Future Date
THING TO NOTE 1: Right off the bat, you will gain a little breathing room because we all hope that soon the coronavirus will subside and your future wedding date will not be affected. Is this a guarantee? No. We have all learned that literally anything can happen. But, it is a safer bet that you may not have to deal with the same protocols in the future. You will be subject to additional fees, but the additional cost may be worth the peace of mind.
THING TO NOTE 2: As mentioned above, you may not get your ideal 2021 or 2022 date. Some vendors and venues are reserving their prime future dates for new clients. Stay flexible and focus on what is most important to you. Understand that your vendors are doing the best they can to make you happy while simultaneously trying to stay in business.
THING TO NOTE 3: The most straightforward reason to reschedule is your hope that you will not have to deal with the mandates and regulations currently in place for weddings. It would be lovely to not have to wear masks. It would be phenomenal to not have to worry about contracting COVID19 in general. More than likely, the majority of your guests can attend and you can go all out on your dance floor. Again, there is no way to know what the future holds for all of us. Keep in mind that some of the current mandates will be in place for an extended period of time.
THING TO NOTE 4: The relief of not having to worry about coronavirus impacting your wedding is a big deal. You will still have to basically replan a wedding, but that stress may not compare for you. Maybe you are looking forward to redoing a few aspects of your original plan. It comes down to your emotional and mental state of dealing with the pressure of a COVID wedding and the price tag that comes with rescheduling.
A Little Now + A Lot Later
THING TO NOTE 1: We would be remiss not to mention the option of having a small ceremony on your original date with a full celebration later. This is a lovely option and one that many couples are opting for. Please note that this can be just as costly as rescheduling completely. Several couples who have chosen this option are now looking at cancelling their second celebration. Cancelation as a whole is an entirely different topic that we don’t plan on exploring here today. Ultimately, having a small wedding now is a great plan for those couples not wanting to wait and not wanting to expose a larger number of guests. Then when the coast is (close) to clear, having a massive party with all your friends and family. Let’s be real, your vendors will probably want to join in this celebration as well.
Finally, let us state, the advice shared is that exactly – advice. We are not attorneys and we do not work for the Health Department. Use this information provided to make your own educated decision based on the current government guidelines concerning COVID19, personal situations, and/or consult your own attorney or public health official. Additionally, check in with all your vendors to discuss your options and get clarification on their protocols, procedures, and contracts. Lastly, please hire a wedding planner if you haven’t already. They can greatly assist you in the rescheduling chaos. Happy planning!!
Contributing Photographer: Laning Photography