We can’t control this pandemic, but what we can control is how we want to move forward.
If you find yourself stuck in the uncertainty of the situation as it unfolds, we’re in the same boat! We don’t have precedent like this in modern history that we can refer to. Every hour the conversation is changing. It’s really a case of keeping track of the situation as it unfolds and unfortunately for couples due to wed in the coming weeks or months (April, May, and June) far-reaching decisions have to be made in so little time.
With Covid-19 officially pronounced a global pandemic and the government is taking strict measures in the wake of the news, there’s no doubt every aspect of your life will be affected. It only makes sense the level of concern, frustration, and disappointment you have right now – it’s overwhelming! So much time, excitement and money invested in planning your wedding.
And as we traverse this dilemma in the weeks to come, there’s bound to be lots of grey areas when it comes to – as to how you should go about it. As things are evolving, we’re here to help and give you different avenues and layout the things you should consider, and whatever you decide for your wedding day amid the coronavirus pandemic, we only wish you the best!
How to Proceed
The government guideline, issued March 13, requesting the public’s compliance from holding big wedding ceremonies. If you’ll be walking down the aisle in the next week or so, the government already declared that indoor events are deemed prohibited and be canceled. We don’t have control over the situation as it’s unfolding all over the world. As the days and hours have gone by, growing quarantines and travel bans have forced most couples to make big decisions.
Breathe…You’re not alone.
Your wedding planners/coordinators are working round-the-clock consulting with clients and their team of suppliers. Get in touch with your suppliers asap. Trust us, in times like these, they will do everything they can to make this process easier for you. But in doing so, please be understanding and patient. Do keep in mind that they’re also going through tough times right now. It’s a trickle-down effect.
Postpone
To postpone or cancel your wedding should be the first sit-down decision you should be making. Your decision must be aligned with each other as a couple. To reschedule or cancel a wedding taking place in the next six to eight weeks is reasonable at this point.
If you’re worried about losing deposits, see if you can renegotiate your contract, if you can move dates and reschedule instead of canceling what has been planned entirely. Suppliers have certain measures and will bend over backwards to help you – like find new dates that work for you and your guests, compromise and change their policies. If you are seriously thinking about postponing your wedding day, chances are your suppliers will be accommodating and will go out of their way to help you as best they can.
Once you make the choice to postpone – move quickly! Future dates will start to book fast. You should work with your wedding planner and lock-in a new date with your venue and other suppliers. Prepare 3-5 calendar dates as options and give to your planner.
Be flexible. Try to keep an open mind when working with your suppliers to reschedule. If your wedding date is scheduled on a Saturday, securing another Saturday may not be possible. Consider days like Thursday or Friday. You’ll have a better chance of securing all of your suppliers.
Cancel
No one can predict how this pandemic will evolve. It’s gonna get worse before it gets better. But there are certain things to consider when deciding how best to proceed.
With so much time and money invested in weddings, not to mention the excitement that builds-up planning it, no couple wants to cancel or postpone their wedding but with this crisis, it maybe an unfotunate likelihood.
If you have a considerably large wedding with guests coming from provinces and abroad, this is certainly a concern for you, consider them if you must go ahead or not. More importantly, if there are seniors and those immunocompromised, you must definitely reconsider plans.
Refunds
Can you get refunds from your suppliers? Read the fine prints of your contracts with regards to Refund Policies. Refunds vary from case to case. If you’re uncomfortable to deal with the process, ask your wedding planner for assistance.
Here are sources of information that we’ve gathered and you can refer to; Please be guided accordingly.
- March 18, 2020 – forwarded to BridalPod by Luzon Wedding Suppliers c/o Ms. Lia Del Castillo of Lia Weddings and Celebrations
2. March 13, 2020 – Article from CNNPhilippines
The Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, in a media briefing on COVID-19 Friday (March 13, 2020) said;
“”Dapat ho may refund kasi force majeure poyun so wag silangmatakotna ‘nakupaano ‘to nagdownna kami taposayawirefund?””
In addition, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said holding big wedding ceremonies are prohibited amid efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus. Read complete article at CNNPhilippines
How to tell guests, wedding is postponed or canceled
Once you have finally decided to postpone or cancel your wedding, inform your guests right away about the changes. It is highly expected that your family and friends are now self-isolating in their respective homes, and that they are constantly checking up on you, too.
You can post updates about the changes on your wedding website if you have. If you don’t have a wedding website, go “old school” and email, text, or call them. Communicate with everyone and discuss about the plans they have made with hotels and airline bookings. Paying for flights and accommodation is obviously a big concern at this time so it is very important to give them advice as to how to manage their financial and health risks at this unfortunate time.
Wedding Size and Social Distancing
As we ease our way to this new normal of social distancing, which is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future, have you considered your wedding size? If you have a considerably large wedding planned, this is certainly a concern for you, and it’s time to re-visit that guest list. Start thinking of contingency plan. The wedding community have your back and has shown tremendous effort in trying to support all of the couples with 2020 weddings while also going through tough times right now.
If and when the government lifts the enhanced community quarantine, we should all expect that it will announce guidelines or impose restrictions on events and gatherings, while no available Coved19 anti-vaccine on sight (12-18 months away). The wedding industry will need to adjust once again – this time to the challenges of social distancing, and this will affect couples with upcoming nuptials – from wedding prep, hotel accommodations, church attendees, and lastly – the number of suppliers on-site. For wedding size, a 50 pax or less is the safest option. Consider an intimate wedding which is an ideal setting at this time, while all is still uncertain.
How to proceed with destination weddings
Destination weddings are not easy to plan even in normal times. Expect to have a lot of specific conditions to consider on top of the usual ones when deciding how best to proceed with a destination wedding.
Travel around the world will include new policies or new restrictions in place while NO available Coved19 anti-vaccine, same with hotel accommodations. So, if you have a destination wedding planned before, you may want to reconsider.
There might also be restrictions on the number of people on events and gatherings. If you have a considerably large wedding with guests before coming from provinces and abroad, this is certainly a concern for you, consider them if you must go ahead or not. More importantly, if there are seniors and those immunocompromised.
