COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus has become a worldwide pandemic and is effecting everyone ins some shape or form.
If you’re worried about how the spread of the virus could affect you upcoming wedding, here are some things you should do.
- Contact your wedding insurance provider. Find out what your policy covers you for in the worst case scenario of your wedding being cancelled or being stopped from going ahead. This could be for multiple reasons from the venue making the decision to cancel or postpone all events or it could be a government decision to ban large events with more than ‘X’ number of attendees.
- Speak to your venue. Ask what their current plans are and what your options would be if your date is cancelled.
- Look over your contracts with any vendors you have already booked. Photographers for example usually ask for a non-refundable retainer, but many will allow you to simply switch the date to another time if they are still free or may be willing to refund anything beyond the initial deposit you have paid if they are not available. Each vendor will be different so check with each individually. Again, check with your wedding insurance as they may cover any lost deposits or retainers.
- Get in touch with guests. Particularly anyone travelling long distances or from overseas. They may have restrictions placed on their travel outwith their own control or simply may not be comfortable travelling under these circumstances. Be understanding of anyone who cannot make the trip.
- Check your plan for things you still need to organise. If there are things you have not yet booked, ask up-front what their policy will be if things are cancelled or postponed. Make sure you get it in writing before you agree to any new services if they agree to refund if the worst happens.
- Make contact remotely. If you need to get in touch with current vendors, or new suppliers, try and do it online, via the phone or even a Skype call unless visiting in person is unavoidable and absolutely necessary.
Hopefully, we see the back of this pandemic sooner rather than later, but following the steps above will should at least give you some peace of mind in the short term or allow you to plan alternative options where needed.
For any of my clients reading this, please get in touch using my contact form.
In the meantime, stay safe and remember to follow your national heath care advice.