One of the most unpleasant consequences of the Covid-19 Pandemic has been the impact on couples who hoped to tie the knot in 2020.
Like many couples in the Kansas City area, at Ball Event Center we’ve been striving to keep your safety at the front of everything we do. Couples have had to make tough decisions this year for the good of their guests.
If your wedding has been impacted by the coronavirus, you’re not alone, but that doesn’t mean that it’s any easier for you to make the tough decisions or modifications for your big day. We want to do all we can to help you make the best decisions for your wedding—after all, it is still a celebration of love. Please call us at (913) 322-4980 if you have any questions. In the meantime, here are our suggestions for planning during the pandemic.
1. If You’re at the Beginning of Your Wedding Planning, Consider Multiple Dates
People who planned to marry in the spring and summer of 2020 are not only looking at dates later in the year, they’re also looking at dates in 2021. Weddings have always needed planning well in advance, but the likelihood of getting your first option—with all of the vendors you want to work with—is increasingly slim. Be sure to have at least three dates you’ll be happy with as you check for availability with churches, florists, bakers, and other vendors.
2. 2020 or Bust? Consider an Off Day
If you were planning on getting married this year, the thought of postponing your wedding until 2021 might not be an option you want to consider. While Saturdays are one of the most popular wedding days for a good reason, finding an available Saturday in 2020 will be hard. Consider having yours on a Friday, Sunday, or even a Monday. Fridays and Mondays are relatively easy days to add on to a weekend for your guests, and you’ll have a higher likelihood of getting your first choice of vendors, possibly even at a reduced rate.
3. Work Virtually with Your Vendors
Nothing beats a face-to-face meeting, especially if you’re considering a baker or caterer. Still, if you’re concerned about social distancing, you may be able to interview potential vendors via Zoom or Skype. This may work better for some vendors than others—it’s much easier to consider florals than cake this way—but it will still let you begin your wedding planning safely and help you get a sense of whether you’ve found the right vendor.
Other wedding planning you can do from home includes building your wedding website and registry and designing your save the dates, change the dates, and wedding invitations.
4. Reach Out to Your Guests
If you’ve postponed your wedding, be sure to reach out to your guests as soon as possible. While most wedding communication is formal, given the importance of letting your guests know your change of plans in a timely manner makes email entirely appropriate. You don’t need to go into detail. Simply acknowledge that you’ve postponed your wedding because of the coronavirus and tell them you’ll let them know as soon as you have a new date. If you have a wedding website, be sure to post an announcement online as well. Once you do have a new date, be sure to send your guests a change-the-date card or email.
5. It’s Normal to Feel Down – but There is Hope
Many brides and grooms have spent months or even years planning their wedding. If this applies to you, it’s okay to feel sad about postponing your wedding. Logically, you know others are dealing with much worse—hospitalizations, job loss, or an uncertain future. But weddings are all about the heart. It’s completely justified to let yourself feel sad about the wedding you can’t have. Your feelings are valid, and you should share them with your fiancé. Once you’ve acknowledged them, it will be easier for you to move forward with your new wedding plans.
Whether you’re planning from the perspective of someone who’s had to reschedule their wedding day or someone newly engaged who’s planning their wedding for the first time, we’d love to be a part of your celebration. Please reach out to us so we can talk about your wedding needs and help you plan the celebration you deserve.
