POSTPONING A WEDDING: LIZ & LUKE SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE
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The topic of wedding postponement remains high on the agenda at the moment. The majority of my scheduled weddings for 2020 have been forced or have made the choice to postpone to late 2020 or 2021. The decision for many was complex and not easy.
There is currently no certainty on when weddings will be permitted in the UK. However, when the government does announce the guidelines specifically on weddings, myself and others across the wedding industry are preparing for the real likelihood that weddings will slowly return but with restrictions in place on both ceremonies and receptions. This is likely to include restrictions on guest numbers, social distancing measures and even the possibility of the need for wearing masks. For now, we can only wait.
In May, Jessica and Pete kindly shared their experience of rescheduling their wedding to 2021 which was originally due to take place in mid-April. Today Liz and Luke are sharing their experiences too and I extend a great thanks for taking the time to help other couples who are also grappling with wedding postponements at the moment.
Big cheery hello to Liz and Luke
1. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR SITUATION
Planning for 6 months, we had a pretty short turnaround between engagement (Sept 2019) and the wedding (planned for 1st May). Roughly 100 people all at one venue.
2. WHEN DID YOU FIRST START TO THINK THAT YOU MAY POSTPONE?
Initially we were keen to have it regardless. We underestimated the severity of the situation. When the decision was made to limit numbers at social gatherings it became clear that it was going to be taken out of our hands. Our Hen and Stag dos were cancelled pretty much within the same couple of days.
3. WHAT MADE THE DECISION CERTAIN FOR YOU IN THE END?
We felt there would have been worry in the air for everyone there and we would have hated for our wedding to be the cause of any of our loved ones getting ill.
4. WHO DID YOU CONTACT FIRST TO TALK THROUGH POSTPONING YOUR WEDDING?
We contacted our venue about a week before the decision was made to postpone in mid March. At that time they assured us things were not likely to be moved/cancelled!
5. HOW DID YOUR SUPPLIERS REACT?
All the suppliers were excellent, very understanding and we've been able to have everyone originally booked for our new wedding date.
6. WHAT WAS THE REACTION FROM YOUR GUESTS?
Similar to the suppliers, very positive and we think a lot of people recognised it was inevitable. One of the best things to come out of the postponement was that Luke's sister (and one of the bridesmaids) arranged for our guests to send video messages which she collated into one video. We were able to watch this on the day our wedding was due and it was incredible - such happy messages to receive which made us feel excited for the new date rather than sad we weren't getting married.
7. AS A COUPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHER COUPLES THINKING OF POSTPONING THEIR WEDDING?
Try and focus on how short a few month's delay it is in the context of spending the rest of your lives together.
8. HAVE YOU SET ANOTHER DATE?
Yes later in the year (Dec 2020)
9. HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW THAT YOU HAVE POSTPONED?
The season of our wedding has changed a lot but we've been so lucky in that nearly everything we had planned will still be relevant for December. We are, like everyone, excited for lockdown to be over and for some semblance of normality to resume. We know that there are people who have been affected a lot more by Coronavirus than we have and we are just feeling grateful that we will still be able to get married.
Get inspired. Check out Ruth and Juan’s outdoor wedding.
See more wedding inspiration on my Instagram feed and feel free to pin your favourites on to your Pinterest Board. If you are looking for a wedding photographer who is more about capturing your day in a natural, fun and unobtrusive way, then you are in the right place. Get in touch and tell me about your plans.
