If you’ve had to postpone your wedding for the pandemic or any other reason, you’re likely going through a lot of stress. For both brides and grooms, postponing a wedding after months of planning can drain you emotionally and financially. While there may not be a way to recuperate all the money spent or celebrate with all of your original intended guests, here are six tips to help you stay organized and make the most of the situation.
1. Let Guests Know that the Wedding has been Postponed
First, you’ll have to inform your guests about the postponement. Your guests might have bought gifts and applied for leaves from work to attend your wedding, so it’s best to let them know as soon as possible so they can plan accordingly.
At this point, the best thing you can do is be honest. If you aren’t sure about rescheduling or going forward with your original date for a more intimate ceremony, don’t try to hide it—tell your loved ones exactly what’s going on, so no one feels excluded or not in the know.
2. Cancel Any Vendors and Services You Booked
You’ve likely spent a lot of time booking vendors for decoration, catering, flower, venue, photos, or other wedding services. If you decide to postpone your wedding, reach out to vendors as soon as possible and find out about their refund or rescheduling policies and capabilities.
Be mentally prepared to receive a “no” to getting your money back or securing the vendor for your new wedding date. If that’s the case, find out what you can do to enjoy the service anyway.
3. Enjoy Any Services You Couldn’t Cancel
In case you cannot cancel any of the services, like cake or a photoshoot, go ahead and enjoy the benefits. It may feel odd or a waste of money, but it will help you to keep your spirits up during the waiting time. Later you will cherish these moments when you look back to the time with your partner. So, go ahead and give yourself a small treat.
4. Dress Up Anyway
Even if you have managed to cancel your vendor for the photos, you can still go ahead, dress up a bit, and pose for a photo on your original date. Ask a friend or a family member to be your photographer and click some moments to cherish later.
If you don’t have anyone around, you can be your photographer, or you and your partner click a few pictures for yourselves. You can relive these moments later along with your partner and share them with your loved ones on your original wedding date.
Let the guests virtually celebrate with you, no matter where they are in the world. So go ahead, put on your wedding dresses and click some Instagram-worthy pics for your loved ones.
5. Organize a Parade with Friends and Family
Even if your loved ones can’t visit you, you can still have a mini-wedding celebration on the original date with a fun car parade. Ask your guests to dress up, arrive in front of your home in their respective cars simultaneously and send you good vibes and wishes while you and your fiance can sit on the front step and wave back at them. You can also get a mini photoshoot done of the parade session to cherish it later.
6. Plan an Epic Honeymoon
With your wedding postponed, you’ll likely have to move your honeymoon as well. But that shouldn’t stop you from planning an epic vacation with your partner. If you were yet to finalize on the travel destination, utilize the time now.
Do all the research you want to do to complete your itinerary, sightseeing spots, accommodations, etc. Leverage this time to plan the honeymoon of your dreams, even if it means putting it off for a few months or even a year.
See the Silver Lining
Your wedding date has been postponed, but that doesn’t stop you from enjoying time with your partner. There are lots of ways to make a celebration special, even if it isn’t big. For example, you can exchange love letters, daydream together, take pause to review your vows, and look forward to the days you’re going to spend together.
