Weddings in Lockdown

So recent news has put us right back into near hard-lockdown. I empathize with my clients having to plan their big day during this time, even more so with the ones suffering health issues or have loved ones who do. Many couples all over the country have been forced to postpone or cancel their weddings. And there are many pieces of advice about how to help brides and grooms deal with this disappointing new reality, in which a big wedding is simply no longer an option.

I scoured the weddings part of the interwebs to see if I could find some helpful tips to continue planning your wedding day like the champs you are! Here are some helpful ones below.

1. Check What Your Contracts Say
   Don’t delay in checking out what your contracts say. They should include a postponement clause and any potential costs associated with postponing. Presently, venues and vendors are incredibly empathetic and flexible during this crazy time and are doing whatever they can to accommodate their bridal couples’ requests, but it’s a good idea to review your contracts before making contact.
2. Notify Your Guests
   If you’ve decided to postpone your wedding to a later date, send out an announcement to your guests with your new date. This can be done by sending out an e-card or you could even make a short, fun video clip together. ( Canva.com is your best friend! You’re welcome!)
3. Be Wedding Savvy
   Put together a revised wedding budget. The travel industry has been majorly affected by the pandemic and many of your out-of-town guests who you’d thought of including on your guest list won’t be able to travel for the next couple of months and could very well be prevented from attending. Now is the time to trim your guest list and make all the hard decisions as to who gets invited and who doesn’t. It’s also the perfect time to reassess how big you actually want your wedding to be.
4. Take control of your finances
   During such a turbulent period, it’s not only prudent but wise to think about your financial health, especially if you don’t have a cushy amount of savings to fall back on. By acting strategically, you may be able to make this hard time a lot less stressful. Check out these financial tips from 22seven.
5. Flower Power
   Now is a great time to check out those online wedding blogs and decide on your wedding flowers! Stick them all up on your Pinterest board and narrow your choices down to your top 3. Then contact your florist to find out what will be in season.
6. Design Style
   Now is a great time to decide on your final wedding theme. Is it rustic, boho chic, elegant or whimsical? By narrowing down exactly the type of style and theme you’ll be able to really get a grasp on what you actually want and you can go about setting up a budget that you’ll keep to. This will save you time, money and stress in the long run.
7. Local is Lekker
   It has never been a better time than now to support local travel! Armchair travel is all the rage so it’s the perfect time to escape into a honeymoon dream. Are you keen on glamping or would a combination of hardcore camping followed by a couple of days in a luxury lodge appeal? Do you fancy a road trip through the Karoo’s historical small towns, a picturesque lodge set amidst the fever trees of the Umfolozi National Park, or hiking in the Drakensburg mountains?
8. Registry
   Couples at home should take advantage of the wide array of online registry options available. From adventure experiences to online registry websites like YuppieChef and Poetry – you’ll be glad you’ve ticked this task off your list once lockdown is over.
9. Grooming
   Now is a great time to discuss what your man will be wearing on the day. Now that you’ve decided on the theme you can get him pinning looks to his own Pinterest board. Plus, you’ll have many hours in which to persuade him (whatever works) to your way of thinking. Haha!
10. Getting Hitched
    If you’ve only recently gotten engaged and don’t know where to start with your planning, take a look at Wedding Inspirations Magazine online.

I hope this will aid in the planning and give a sense of direction during this time. We’re in this together and WILL make it out the other end stronger!