Planning Your Wedding During COVID-19 | (Almost) Everything You Need To Know From a Photographer
Coronavirus—where do I even start with you?
COVID-19 is a word we are all now familiar with and probably hearing about on a daily basis. It has affected SO many people and some days that the topic is just SO heavy. My heart goes out in a multitude of different directions and I am trying to find ways where I can help in my personal life as well as my business life. One group of people that my heart has gone out to is all the couples that had a wedding planned that they were looking forward to that they’ve now had to reschedule or postpone with the uncertainty of when it is going to happen.
Now let me just say, I am no coronavirus expert, or even wedding planning expert. However, what I am an expert as is looking for solutions, collecting resources, and being flexible during difficult times and stress. I’m no stranger to shouldering the weight of unexpected emergencies (worked as a nurse for 9 years). This is one of those times!
I want my wedding clients to know that I am looking for solutions for them. And finding ways to reassure and support them as we navigate uncharted waters TOGETHER.
I wanted to address some main points and concerns that I have seen, not only from my clients, but from friends who are planning weddings or are needing to reschedule their wedding right now. Here are a few helpful tips, blog articles, as well as some reassurance from me as a wedding photographer.
Contracts + Retainer Fees
These are two things that I have seen come up the most often, from photographers and their clients. Let me just say a bit about wedding contracts and what they have to do with the retainer fee. Retainer fees are often not refundable (as stated in many contracts) and in the contract they are usually protected with an act of god clause (aka, global pandemic—unforeseen, out of everyone’s control). So for all couples who are looking to reschedule your wedding or plan a wedding in the future, I would HIGHLY recommend discussing this with your vendors and see if their is any flexibility in this retainer and if it could be forwarded to a later date. Because this is only a situation that is out of control on the wedding vendors’ sides, but on the couples side as well. Nobody is responsible for the dates needing to be changed. Most vendors are going to be happy to come up with flexible solutions with you because they appreciate you as a client and we are all in this together. Maybe some will be a jerk about it, but I would bet most vendors, MYSELF INCLUDED, would absolutely find a way to forward your retainer that you’ve already paid to another date, or maybe even offer to have it go towards another service they offer it they are unable to work with you on the date.
This is a time for wedding photographers and vendor to come up with creative solutions that are well balanced and work for both parties.
What if you signed a contract with your photographer and they will no longer be available on your new date? This is another opportunity to get creative. Flexibility is the key here. Luckily this has not happened with any of my clients so far. But, worst case scenario, this is where we can get creative and come up with flexible solutions. As we’ve all realized, this is a first for EVERYBODY. But I have seen so many people PULL TOGETHER instead of the alternative and I have complete confidence if this were the case, that we would be able to find a photographer for you that has a very similar artistic perspective and I would still be able to edit the photos. Of course we would discuss this in great depth to find the best solution, and this is only one option to consider.
Wedding Planning + Taking Steps Forward
The future is still really uncertain, but people are still excited to get married! Am I right or am I right? We can all take steps in a forward direction. Here are a few suggestions I’ve got for you as you move forward in your planning:
Ask wedding vendors about their contracts.
Ask what they’ve changed since COVID-19 to allow for flexibility in these types of situations (specifically in relation to the retainer fee, date needing changed, and any “act of god” clauses). If they haven’t changed anything, ask some more questions and make sure it is a contract you are comfortable moving forward with.
That being said, I’ve actually heard great things about most wedding vendors and their willingness to be flexible and work with their couples.
Get wedding and travel insurance!
Check out the article down below for more details on this.
Elope or have an intimate wedding outdoors.
Utah especially has got some KILLER scenery and a lot of it we get to visit for FREE or for a small fee. It’s a possibility that coronavirus may be around for a while and if we run into a similar situation that we are in now, you would have a much easier time changing your date without needing to worry about whether or not it would be available at a future time.
If you are really not wanting to miss out on the celebration aspect with a larger group of your favorite people, lots of couples are planning to have a separate celebration later on down the road
Have a backup plan.
What if you still want to go ahead with getting married on your date even if it can’t be the way you had planned it?
I’ve seen people get married in their yard with a photographer standing across the street to keep distance, and the officiant on a Skype call
You may get limited to only being able to have 10 people at the wedding total—make a list, just in case!
Maybe your venue has been required to close, but you’re all in and not waiting around—the “elopement” idea is not such a bad idea. And by elopement I don’t mean to just ditch your family and run off. You can “elope” and still invite your closest friends and family. The group may just need to be really small, which is typical of elopements.
Wedding Planning Articles
Exactly How to Adjust Your Wedding Timeline Due to COVID-19 (this article is great and is based off of what month you were planning on)
9 Brands Stepping Up for Couples In Response to COVID-19
How to Postpone Your Wedding Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Questions About How Coronavirus Could Affect Your Wedding? Read This.
Here’s How to Spread the Word if You Make a Last-Minute Wedding Change
Concerned about what the future may look like and how it may affect your wedding? I’m here to help you navigate that as seamlessly as possible. Interested in wedding photography prices? Reach out and let’s chat!