If there is one thing we are certain of, having to consider a postponed wedding was not on your planning to do list. Being Florida locals ourselves, we are no strangers to the uncertain times Florida can hand us. But what we have seen nationally and internationally with the rise of the COVID-19 virus is effecting us all. Our hearts are with our cherished couples in all of this. Over the last few days, we have been fielding calls and emails with so many of our couples. They are all pained with the same fears, concerns and questions. All of these calls center around one main wonder:
Do we cancel, or do we postpone?
Fortunately, though this is quite different from a hurricane, living in South Florida for quite some time has familiarized us with this question in the past. As our hearts long to help you, we have compiled our top 4 tips to help you answer the nagging question for yourself: cancel or postpone?
1.) Reschedule, don’t cancel.
We are diving right in on this because we feel it is of utmost importance. We know you are feeling lost, devastated, frustrated, and maybe a bit hopeless right now. Everything you have been planning for and envisioning is now upside down. When things get tough, it is so tempting to throw in the towel. And trust us, we know how tough what you are facing might feel. But that is why we very strongly encourage you: reschedule, do NOT cancel.
Would you want to look back on this time and allow this pandemic to steal away your joy? Or would you want to start your journey to forever together in the spirit of triumph? While a postponed wedding date feels the least bit romantic right now, in retrospect, claiming your day back together and electing to choose a new date will be the most romantic, storybook like journey you will be beaming with pride to share one day. We promise.
2.) It may not be your dream wedding, but your postponed wedding can and will be so much better.
You are likely weary hearing all of your friends, family members and wedding vendors encourage you with this thought. While it may be hard to believe, it is 1000% true. Don’t want to take it from us? Take it from one of our clients. Her dearly loved beach in The Florida Keys was ripped away by Hurricane Irma, and so many other details of her day were upended when she had to endure a spinal surgery just months before her wedding day. Her encouragement for you is below:
I felt so many things so deeply during the process of what felt like my dream wedding falling apart. I felt cheated, angry, and desperately wanted to just run away with my fiance and elope. But I am so grateful I didn’t. While the beach we adored and contracted was washed away, we ended up getting married on a brand new beach. This beach was created by Hurricane Irma herself. As you can see, the storm even bent the palm trees to create a natural arbor. Walking to my husband with my newly healed spine on a beach created by a disaster was the epitome of finding the beauty in the brutal. Our marriage is a miracle, and starting it off by claiming back our wedding day with a shift of perspective and hands held during the waves of it all was the very best way to start it off. Hang in there, lean on your vendor team, keep dreaming together, and know that facing this together will prepare you for an even deeper bond and even stronger friendship to face all that life will throw at you in your forever. I can’t think of anything dreamier than that.
3.) Ever heard the phrase, “Good things come in small packages?”
If you are worrying that your postponed wedding date may draw a smaller crowd, we encourage you to remember this phrase. Intimate weddings surrounded only by your closest of friends and family members are often even more meaningful for all. While postponing your date may draw a different or smaller crowd, remember that a smaller wedding can mean more wiggle room to dream big. A smaller headcount can mean upgrading your existing food & beverage package, adding in that makeup service you really wanted, or even adding some additional hours of coverage and upgrading your photography package. Smaller does not have to mean less grand by any means.
4.) Take advantage of this second chance to protect your postponed wedding.
If you did not opt for wedding insurance for your first wedding date, we are hopeful that with this new date, you will consider doing so. It can protect you from losing funds in instances such as this. Best of all? The peace of mind comes right along with it, too.
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Written by Social Curator: Kelsey Pfleiderer
Wedding Day Shots by Yours Truly: Love Letters Co.