Weddings, Events and COVID-19

None of us want this, but sadly we have to face up to the fact that to keep everyone safe and healthy from Coronavirus, lockdown is here and it is happening now!

This is such a daunting and very uncertain time for everyone and my heart goes out to everyone that had their wedding or big event planned over the next few months.

As an ‘On the Day Wedding & Events Co-ordinator’, I wanted to write a blog to offer some kind of reassurance and to try and help you with the first steps in postponing your wedding or event.

Having spoken to my couples that are booked for this year and seeing other suppliers' social media posts, I know that many of you have already taken action in postponing your special day, which is good to hear. If you haven’t then I want to reassure you that if we all work together you CAN still have your big day and it WILL still be amazing... it just means you have to change the date.

I know the thought of this can be very stressful, but rest assured all of the wedding suppliers I know will all be there to help you and will do everything in their power to make sure your day still goes ahead as planned, just on a different day.

To share my love and support for all of my wedding supplier friends, I am going to do my best to share as many professional images as possible and to tag as many of them as I can. So, if your original suppliers are already booked for your new date, this might help you find someone new that can help.

Get in contact with your venue! 

Trust me, they will be just as devastated as you that you are being forced into this situation and they will want to help you rearrange a new date that works for you both. Some of you will still want your wedding this year, as I know 2020 was a popular choice for many. However, you may also have wanted your actual date for a special reason, so why not see if you can move it to the same date in 2021.

I know that Lou & Colin from The Old Milking Parlour at Cavokay House are offering all of their couples booked for this year the option to move their date to 2021, at no extra cost. It is definitely worth asking your venue how they can help you as you won’t know unless you ask.

If you had a DIY outdoor wedding planned and you find yourself needing a new beautiful venue and gardens then get in contact with Penny from My Spare Garden, as they may be able to help you with availability.

Also, if your marquee and glamping company are now fully booked then AJ & Becki from South Coast Marquees and South Coast Glamping may be able to help. With lots of bell tents and a variety of different marquee options with plenty of décor to kit it out, they could be the answer to all your prayers.

If you haven’t heard from them already then get in touch with all your booked suppliers to check where you stand with them and to see  if they can still help you on your new date.

From what I have witnessed and heard across social media I am certain everyone will want to help you so please don’t feel you are on your own. If your booked supplier is unavailable for your new date, I am sure they will know someone that is available and will be more than happy to make recommendations. For my 2020 couples I have been in contact to reassure them all that I am here for them if they need me for any help and advice and I will of course move their original booking to their new date in 2020/2021, at no extra cost...I mean that’s the least I can do!

Check your wedding and events insurance!

If you hadn’t taken out wedding and events insurance then make sure you do for your new date... NOW! I know some insurance companies have put new policies on hold for the time being, but it is super important to do it as soon as you can.

I don’t want to put a downer on things but some people will think ‘Oh there is no way I could be that unlucky and have to postpone it twice!’. In my wedding and events experience I have had this happen, only once but it happened, and I don’t want it to happen to you. If you take anything from this then please take my top tip and take out some insurance to look after you and your special day.

If you have already taken out wedding and events insurance which covers you for this postponement then that is great news, but, just make sure you inform your insurance company of any updates and doublecheck it covers you for your new date with all the same T&C’s. I am no expert on this subject but all I would say is it is worth picking up the phone to check with your insurer...that 5 minute phone-call could be the most valuable conversation you have!

Now that you have your new date and your other suppliers rebooked you need to sort your wedding stationery!

If it has already been printed then I do know that some wedding stationers are offering fantastic support and help to their couples. Carol from Laurel Designs is offering FREE ‘change of date’ cards to all their 2020 couples who have already had their invitations printed.

If you have already had your invitations or save the dates designed and printed, then Live, Laugh, Create  will update and reprint them with your new date for just the cost of the paper and postage, with no artwork or design fees. This is available for new and existing customers too, so this will help relieve some worry.

So, you see you aren’t on your own, don’t be scared to ask your wedding stationer how they can help you. We have all got your back and will try to help as much as we can to make postponing your date as pain and stress free as possible.

I couldn’t end this blog in doom and gloom...as its not!

As long as we all do what we are being told and stay at home then hopefully this pandemic will come to an end before we know it.

In the meantime, what to do from home?

Well it could be time for a bit of Blue Peter! Why not try putting your arts and crafts skills to good use and make some wedding decorations or even your own favours.

I have seen many a beautiful wedding decoration at the DIY weddings I have co-ordinated over the years and generally speaking they have all been handmade by the couples.

This is one of the reasons why I love a DIY wedding as it lets the personality and individuality of each couple shine through...perfect!

So, why not give it a go? 

I wish I could have mentioned all of the wedding and events supplier I know, but it might have turned into a novel if I had! 

If there is someone in particular you are searching for then get in touch and I will do my very best to help you. You will also find more suppliers listed on my friends page which you can find on my website www.tasha-mae.co.uk/friends.

Hopefully this has helped you a little and please if I can help you in any way then don’t hesitate to give me a call on 07887 396558 or drop me an email on info@tasha-mae.co.uk...I would love to hear from you.

Sending lots of virtual hugs at this time of self-isolation.