Couples, we know that this is an extremely stressful and straight-up heartbreaking time for you. The COVID-19 pandemic has put couples all around the world with an unimaginable decision: postpone, cancel or ride out your special day.

We are here to offer a few tips to get through this tough time and maybe even help you make a few big, daunting decisions. Holding on to the idea that “maybe we can make it through in time for our wedding” is probably stressing you out even more. So, here is our two cents…

Based on the CDC guideline recommendations all events over 10 guests within the next 8-weeks (thru May 11th) are advised to be canceled or postponed to a later date. After hearing this we know the number one question that is going through your head: to Postpone? Or to Cancel? What does either of these situations really mean?

Well, it’s no secret we are going to try and persuade you to simply Postpone!!! This is merely a very inconvenient delay. We have faith the status of COVID-19 in the world WILL get better. We want nothing more than to see all of our couples celebrate their love at their dream wedding.

Postpone = Putting planning on pause, finding a new date, and pressing resume.
Cancel = We don’t want to get married anymore, the wedding is off.

Cancellation is actually more difficult because it will result in a significant loss of money and not to mention all the time you’ve already spent planning. It is easier to simply shift the dream wedding you have already invested in and spend countless hours planning to a new date. 

Most vendors are agreeing to reschedule to any available date before January 1st, 2022. IMPORTANT: You do not have to decide a date right away, let’s give this some time, let the dust settle and when you are ready, we will be on standby ready to make it happen and reschedule your wedding day. 

Vendors are being as understanding as possible however most deposits are non-refundable and you may also lose parts of your remaining balances for work hours already done or supplies ordered.  Most of your vendors are small business owners and this is also a very difficult time for them because no one has ever dealt with anything like this before.

The reality is that even the highest level of business insurance is not (yet) considering this pandemic a claimable “business interruption”. What does this mean? It would be financially impossible (for most small businesses) to refund ALL clients being affected by this with a complete halt in cash flow.  

At the end of the day, we are here to help provide all the best possible solutions for our couples (and we are sure most coordinators are also!) Our team is taking away the bulk work for our clients and personally reaching out to all your vendors from top to bottom at no extra cost. We are here to help you organize the status of all your payments and then get the ball rolling on rescheduling your special day! Yes, this is one of the perks of hiring a coordinator!!

Okay, we are not going to sugarcoat this one…. You had to postpone your wedding for a reason completely out of your control and that SUCKS! 

First things first, allow yourself to feel those feelings, acknowledge them, accept them, and then with a clear head make decisions on how to proceed. 

We are all human, and this is not the time to pretend to be superman/women. It is totally OK that you feel sad or disappointed that things aren’t going according to plan, especially when they are so far out of your control.  So allow them in and accept them. Then, and only then will you be in a place to work through it and eventually get to a rational headspace where you can make decisions on how to proceed with the future of your wedding. 

Be kind and patient with yourself through this extremely tough and stressful time. 

We want to remind you… that no Mexican beer, shortage of TP, travel bans or quarantine restrictions are stronger than your love! You are STILL going to get married!! You still get to promise to spend the rest of your life with your best friend and you still get to have whatever kind of party you want to celebrate it. It may not be on the date you have been planning for the last year but IT WILL HAPPEN! Your love is what is most important.

Communicate with your vendors, with your coordinator, with your guests, and with your fiancé!!!!

Get in touch with your vendors. Once you have made the decision to postpone, get in touch with your vendors ASAP. If you have a coordinator (or need one…. Our team is offering postponement help!!!!!) they will support you through the rescheduling process. Make sure you provide them with all of your current contracts and five options for future dates. Be prepared to be flexible.

Communicate any and all necessary updates with guests. They will likely be relieved you have decided to postpone so they too, can get to seeking flight reimbursements, canceling hotels, and organizing future travel plans for your new date. Remember you are making this decision because it is best for EVERYONE involved. The good news is there may even be TP available on the islands again by the time your new date rolls around.

Talk to your fiancé! This is a huge decision and will be tough on both of you. Remember, you are in this together and although it may not be on the date you originally set you WILL have a wedding!

The “social distancing” and restriction of nonessential travel mandates were put into place as an effort to control the virus. Weddings mean getting together with all your closest loved ones…. And getting married in Hawaii means traveling!! Hmmm! Well, it looks like weddings fall under both of those restrictions. The last thing you want is to put ANY of your loved ones at risk. Hawaii hotels and airlines seem to be pretty understanding with cancellations at this time. We encourage you to urge your guests to make the proper arrangements so they also don’t lose out on any money.

Although we are strongly on team #postponedontcancel we want to make it clear we are heartbroken for all the couples who are going through this right now. We are taking the stance to encourage postponement for the health, well-being, and safety of everyone involved! All we can do at this time is offer our support with whatever your decision may be, tips, resources, and deeply sympathize with you. 

That being said there is still one option available to couples who have postponed their big wedding celebration but are eager to get married before their new date… Elope! (dependent on current government social mandates). 

If you need help or have questions please reach out, this goes for EVERYONE (clients, vendors, non-clients, friends, family, etc….). Our team is here to support you in any way we possibly can, We are in this together!

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