Let’s take another deep breath
I am not going to lie this is another MASSIVE blow to our industry and we are all feeling extremely sad, a little bit lost and very confused as to how the Government have come up with these new rules. But we have to go with it and we have to find a way to make it work. Today I have put my big girl pants on and now we need to figure this out together.
The Government guidelines state:
“Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions must only take place in COVID-19 Secure venues or in public outdoor spaces. From 28th September, weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and wedding receptions are restricted to 15 people. Receptions must be sit down meals. Anyone working is not counted as part of the limit.” (further guidance on wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships.)
WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
Like everything we have options and choices that we need to make. It is not a case of one size fits all, you have got to do what is right for you. We still don’t know all the answers, we don’t know what things will look like in 6 months or a years time but I think we do all need to come to the realisation that COVID is going to have an impact on weddings in one shape or another, for a long while to come.
CRACK ON // It won’t be the wedding originally planned, BUT YOU CAN GET MARRIED (and that is the most important thing) We are going to have to adapt/change/readjust and go for it. COVID is going to be around for a long while yet 2021 maybe into 2022 so we need to understand that postponing doesn’t guarantee that your wedding won’t still be affected by some degree of social distancing. The solution, perhaps, is to go ahead with the wedding as planned in whatever form that can take with xx amount of people and embrace it. Yes, it will be a little strange, it will be small numbers but small can be beautiful, humbling and it will allow you to be married.
WED NOW PARTY LATER // who doesn’t want to have 2 weddings to the same person!
Carry on, stick to your date no matter the COVID rules then have the biggest party to celebrate later. I am putting a pricing option together that will combine the best of both worlds. Your ceremony (for around 2 hours) on your wedding day and then covering a bloody good knees up later down the line when we can all dance and hug until our hearts are content. Drop me a line if you want to know more.
LIVE STREAM IT // If you do go ahead and don’t want people to miss out, My lovely friends from THE CAMERA CHAPS have come up with a brilliant way of filming and live streaming your wedding so everyone can be part of it, no matter the restrictions. (If you get in touch please tell them I sent you)
ELOPE // Can’t pick 15 without missing key members, ELOPE!
Say your vows somewhere magical, a mountain, the lakes, on a beach or head to the registry office make it official and have a day just as a couple.
POSTPONE //
Postponing your wedding day is an incredibly hard decision to make and it sucks (I totally get it) Not only may financial factors be involved, but delaying a day of celebration with all your loved ones is emotionally very difficult. You have got to do what is right for you. Talk it out, but be realistic, I think social distancing is going to be in place for a long while to come.
NEXT STEPS
Talk to one another – throw some ideas around. Figure out what is most important to you individually and as a couple and work off that!
If you are making a change – LET ME KNOW BEFORE YOU SET A NEW DATE. I don’t want to add finding a new photographer to your to-do list.
Consider a change to a weekday – This could help with rebooking as everyone will be wanting weekend dates and venues might not have the availability. If you have flexibility, explore the option. After the year we have had, anything goes, right!
Keeping people updated- If you have a wedding website, I suggest having an area of the site dedicated to updates so that you’re not constantly fielding questions from guests. It will only drag you down having to keep going over it all.
Take time out – These are hard times we are going through. It is hard enough living through this, nevermind trying to plan a wedding. Give your self some time off and time to process your thoughts.
FINALLY
Please be patient with your wedding suppliers. We too have all had the most terrible shock and we are trying to figure things out. Our whole business has been turned upside down in a blink of an eye and lots of us are worried and scared about what lies ahead and how to weather the storm, mentally, physically and financially!
Work with us, keep us in the loop. We all want to keep your business, I am invested in you and your wedding. We have chatted, passed ideas back and forth, some of you I have already met, I don’t want to lose you. So on behalf of my fellow industry workers, the venues, florists, MUA, bands, caterers, designers and everyone in between, PLEASE WORK WITH US TO MAKE THIS WORK.
LOVE WINS – Nothing has ended; you still have forever, when this has blown over you can all get-together. Never forget the luck that you carry – the wait will be worth it when you finally marry.
I am always here if you need a chat!
USEFUL LINKS
Government Guidance For Small Marriages & Civil Partnerships
Government Guidance For Receptions
COVID-19: Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships (ceremony guidelines)
COVID-19: Guidance for wedding and civil partnership receptions and celebrations (reception guidelines)