Planning a wedding during COVID-19? Here’s what you need to know
Just as we kicked off the new year, full of excitement for what it had in store, a global pandemic stopped the world in its tracks. Nobody saw it coming, yet COVID-19 hit so many of us hard.
Lives have been changed, jobs have been lost and the wedding industry certainly has never seen more uncertain times. Plans and dreams that were years in the making - suddenly brought to a screeching halt.
If your wedding has been derailed by the coronavirus pandemic, I am truly sorry. This is a really stressful time and the irony of a once-in-a-lifetime global event interfering with what is supposed to be your once-in-a-lifetime dream wedding is not lost on me.
Please read on, as I’ll be sharing my thoughts around weddings in these uncertain times.
How can COVID-19 affect my wedding?
Starting with the size and scope of your wedding, through to your destination choices and supplies, the pandemic affects couples, celebrants and vendors alike.
Take your dress for example, many suppliers source their materials overseas and due to freight, quarantine and supply issues, the delivery of your garment could be delayed, changed or even cancelled at short notice. The same goes for flowers, food, stationary and other goods that aren’t sourced from your local area. Beyond supply issues, the size of your wedding will be dictated by local government policies, guests who were coming from overseas or interstate may not be able to make it, mingling and dancing may be limited or prohibited and there could be time restrictions placed around your event. In a nutshell, your plans might change and it’s best to be flexible.
When will things return to normal?
At this stage we would need a crystal ball to predict when this pandemic will be over. That’s why the best approach is to take it one day at a time. Easier said than done, I know. If you have already planned a wedding, make sure that you check out your state’s current rules and talk to your suppliers about amending arrangements to make the event COVID compliant and safe. If you have not yet started the planning process, start by checking current rules and regulations and be mindful that many insurance policies will not cover you for future cancellations, as the pandemic is now a known event. Lastly, the health and safety of everyone involved is paramount at this time. Make it clear that there are no hard feelings if a supplier, guest or anyone else in your wedding squad cannot make it on the day due to feeling unwell!
What are rules in different states?
COVID-19 has seen the world, as well as Australia itself become quite divided. Our international borders are closed and each state is developing its own set of rules. This has impacted the wedding industry immensely. To find the most up-to-date restrictions and limitations for events, visit the below government websites:
What if I have to change my plans?
If nothing else, 2020 will probably be remembered as the year when people became creative and found clever solutions to deal with new rules and restrictions. If your guests can’t make your wedding due to border restrictions, why not consider live-streaming your event for example? If you live in a state where numbers on gatherings are limited, or you can’t bare the idea of a wedding reception without a dancefloor, you could have a micro wedding now and throw a big party later in the year - or in 2021. And if you live in regional Victoria, where only five people can currently attend a wedding, why not focus on the most important thing, the act of getting married, and opt for a staylopement? For those in metropolitan Melbourne, my heart goes out to you while you are under stage four restrictions under which weddings are not permitted at all! These are just some ideas, but you get the gist that thinking creatively will ensure your wedding will still go ahead – just slightly different.
Overseas weddings and honeymoons
Inbound and outbound travel is extremely restricted at the moment. And, Qantas recently announced that it has cancelled all overseas flights until at least March 2021. That’s a fair indicator that we will not be able to move freely around the globe until at least that time. If you are planning a wedding in 2020 or 2021, my advice would therefore be to keep it local. Honeymooning at home will be the big trend in the upcoming months. And, with states slowly opening up there’s never been a better time to explore our own backyard. You’ll notice some amazing deals and super cheap flight tickets up for grabs when travel picks up again. So, why not opt for a last-minute, mystery box honeymoon to spice things up? If you have already planned your overseas honeymoon or destination wedding, contact your suppliers, wedding planner, travel agent, airline and hotel as soon as possible and enquire about your postponement, cancellation and refund options.
What if I have to cancel my wedding?
Insurance and refunds are tricky business during a global pandemic. Cancelling your wedding also comes at a huge financial and emotional cost to you and your suppliers. My advice is therefore, if possible, to postpone rather than cancel. Contact your venue and suppliers as soon as possible and discuss their postponement policy, as well as dates they have available down the track that might be more suitable. Keep in mind that as soon as the world opens up again, the wedding industry will boom and your ideal date might be tricky to secure if you don’t lock it in now.
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The most important thing I want to say is: don’t stop planning your wedding! Life will go on during and post-coronavirus and the entire wedding industry will be ready to celebrate your love more than ever before. Get in touch if you are looking for a celebrant who will be there every step of the way, to help guide you through these uncertain times and to make sure you get to celebrate the wedding of your dreams!
Jo xx