How to Start or Restart Your Wedding Planning as Pandemic Restrictions Lift
After a year of restrictions and postponed events, there finally appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel in the COVID-19 pandemic. As more people are vaccinated and more restrictions lift, many couples are able to restart—or finally start—their wedding planning.
However, it is still a good idea to be cautious, and the rules will vary from state to state, and even city to city. Here are some tips on how to jump into wedding planning now life seems to be getting closer to normal again.
Keep your date flexible
There will be more competition for wedding venues and vendors this year—and even probably into 2022—as couples who postponed their weddings in 2020 and couples who got recently engaged will be vying for those spots. While you want to have your date set as soon as possible, it’s a good idea to have a few possible dates in mind when visiting venues so you have options. Also, don’t be afraid to go with a nontraditional day, like a Sunday or weekday. Not only are you more likely to find your date available, but you may be able to get a discount on your venue by avoiding Saturdays.
Book your vendors ASAP
Because there will be a lot of competition for wedding vendors, if you find a photographer or caterer you love, it’s smart to book them as soon as you possibly can. All vendors will most likely be booking their calendars quickly this year, so don’t hesitate to book your faves or you may regret it.
Read the fine print
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that your wedding can be postponed or canceled unexpectedly. So, make sure you read all your vendor contracts carefully and ask questions if you’re not sure what would happen if you have to change your date, cancel your event or change the number of guests due to restrictions. It’s important to know exactly what you’re agreeing to and what services you will receive before you sign any contract.
Get all your questions answered
While many of your guests may be vaccinated, you may have some, such as older guests, who aren’t able to vaccinate, making sanitation protocols just as essential as they were in the middle of the pandemic. Talk to your venue and all of your vendors, especially anyone handling food, about how they ensure cleanliness and safety. If your venue doesn’t offer their safety precautions upfront, don’t be afraid to ask for them and make sure you fully understand their rules, including options for added ventilation. The more questions you ask before booking, the less stress you will feel when your wedding day arrives.
Invest in full coverage
Wedding insurance is always a good idea to protect your investment in your special day, but it’s especially important in light of COVID-19. The pandemic is no longer covered within liability wedding insurance coverage, so be sure to invest in full cancellation insurance to ensure that any financial losses are covered if you have to postpone or cancel your wedding due to COVID restrictions.
Consider hiring a wedding planner
Wedding planning can turn into a full-time job, and with the addition of new COVID-safe policies at venues and changes to vendor contracts, it’s even more of a good idea to invest in a professional wedding planner. A pro can help you navigate hiring your vendors, understand contracts and even use their relationships with other professionals to help get you a better deal and stay under budget. If you’re already stressed about planning your wedding, consider hiring a planner to ease that burden.
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