This is an uncertain time for you as you face the cancelation or postponement of your wedding due to the Coronavirus. Event professionals have seen a lot, but nothing that has disturbed the wedding and event industry like COVID-19. As a wedding planner, I’m realizing that we can resolve any inconvenience but nobody could have imagined all this.

“Your main thing at the moment is to stay healthy,
keep yourselves and your guests safe, minimize risk, and think about postponing.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread throughout the world, you may be deciding to postpone your wedding because of coronavirus. Firstly, I am so sorry that you’ve been affected this way. If you are having to postpone your wedding, I’m here to help.

 

 

Questions about the Coronavirus and Weddings from our couples.

The biggest questions we’ve received have been pretty much the same. In essence, what should we do about our wedding in light of Coronavirus concerns?

 

Do we cancel or postpone our wedding?

Your wedding can unfortunately no longer go ahead as planned. Before you start making calls or emailing your guests, it’s important to decide if you’re postponing your wedding, or canceling it completely.

 

GUIDE: HOW TO POSTPONE

 

For some of you, it may be tempting to cancel your wedding. I strongly encourage you to reconsider and reschedule. Here’s my biggest why: This is your wedding day! Day to celebrate your love with friends and family! This is the day you have been waiting for the whole life. Think about how you’ll feel 2 years from now. 5 years from now. Will you regret not celebrating with your nearest and dearest? If the answer is yes, postpone your wedding instead of canceling.

 

 

Can I hire a wedding planner because of Coronavirus to help me?

The presence of a wedding planner in this scenario is a psychological and practical support. We will help you to postpone your wedding and efficiently coordinate the work of all your vendors: in this way you can relax avoiding stress or a nervous breakdown that could lead you to cancel the wedding!

In case you don’t have a wedding planner because you decided to plan everything by yourself, you are still in time to hire one. Wedding planners are used to solve problems and coordinate vendors’ work even when almost all the planning has been completed by clients to make come true to the wedding they have always dreamed of!

 

What happens if I need to reschedule or postpone my wedding?

Most venues and vendors are being flexible with couples by allowing them to postpone or reschedule without penalty. They aren’t necessarily obligated or required to, so be grateful to them if they are accommodating to you. Under the circumstances, they want to do right by their couples and their businesses.

 

What happens if my wedding supplier is unable to work due to coronavirus?

My advice is asking your supplier what their contingency plan is? But don’t be afraid we know a lot of good wedding vendors. The supplier network is strong and there has always been a best practice of providing emergency cover between suppliers.

 

So, the worst has happened and my wedding is canceled due to Corona Virus. Can I seek refunds from suppliers?

This is a worst-case scenario. Here it comes down to individual contracts. Your wedding vendors will look to postpone your booking date rather than cancel it. Most wedding suppliers will try to be as accommodating as possible. But if they will return your money it is their decision. Under most supplier contracts it would be very unlikely that you would receive a refund. But here is another situation. I think the honest and early communication is the key.

 

Will my wedding insurance cover postpone my wedding?

You will need to check the details of your policies. Most event insurance policies will only cover if you are forced to cancel or postpone your wedding (example because the venue closes or you or immediate family are ill). If your venue is the one to make the call to close down or cancel, then you should be covered. If the government puts a true ban on public events in place, you would likely be covered. Only policies purchased in advance of the knowledge of any serious potential issue would be honored, so purchasing a policy now would not cover you.

 

Should I cancel my wedding or honeymoon because of Coronavirus?

It depends. My advice is to keep the wedding this year, reschedule the honeymoon. You should keep the same warnings in mind when deciding how to proceed with honeymoon planning. Things can change as the virus spreads, so keep an eye on official sources to stay informed.

 

Can I have an elopement wedding during Coronavirus?

If a large portion of your guest list is unable to make it, consider having more of an elopement or micro wedding ceremony on your original date and throw a party or reception at a later time. Before that look at the current country (venue) law:

• Are wedding ceremonies allowed?
• Will the officiant come to the chosen venue?
• How many people can be in the room at the same time?

 

 

What can I write to my Wedding Website?

If the postponement is ultimately required, update the Wedding Website dates, times, and accommodations information as soon as possible to ensure guests are aware of changes. Send them a not with a postponement announcement whether it be a physical mailer or an emailed postponement.

To keep your guests informed update your wedding website to include the following wording on the cover page.

“In light of COVID-19/Coronavirus, please continue checking this wedding website regularly for updates to our schedule of events. We sincerely hope to have our wedding as planned with our family and friends. At this time, we are cautiously optimistic and planning to proceed as scheduled on ____________. With that said, we will keep you updated on our plans should we need to consider postponement to a later date.”

Also, consider updating the wedding website to include information about maintaining good health conditions at the celebration with verbiage such as:

“We kindly request that if you have recently traveled to high-risk areas, knowingly have been exposed to the virus within 21 days of the wedding, or are experiencing symptoms that you refrain from attending the celebration and attend from afar. For our guests who are 60+ years old and those with underlying health conditions/weakened immune systems, we ask that you take extra precaution and carefully consider attendance.”

How can I take precautions against Coronavirus at my wedding?

• The WHO has advised the public on how to maintain a sanitary event, and we will be implementing all recommendations.
• All vendors will wash hands regularly and wear gloves when setting up and serving food.
• All vendors who are feeling ill or have traveled to high-risk areas will not attend.
• We will plan to keep a good social distance whenever possible. At this time “air kisses” are idyllic!
• Signage will be in restrooms reminding everyone to wash their hands for 30 seconds in warm soapy water and dry thoroughly.
• Hand sanitizer will be available in restrooms, by bars, and at entryways.
• We request guests do not share entree selections, glasses/cocktails, utensils, napkins, and straws.

 

How can I take precautions against Coronavirus at my wedding?

You must always follow up to date official advice however there are several possible precautions you could arrange to take based on basic simple hygiene. First and foremost is awareness, if you have any guests that have been tested positive for or been in substantially direct contact with someone that has been tested positive, they should sit this party out.

Besides, if you have guests that are either elderly or considered high risk due to underlying conditions, they should seek professional medical advice, which could include to either refrain from attending or take additional precautions. You can also encourage the use of hand sanitizer and good hygiene, none of the above completely mitigate the risk but are all good practice steps to reduce the risk and in line with current official advice.

 

Where can I get more information about the Coronavirus situation in Slovenia?

The coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is changing daily. Find some useful websites of the key Slovenian and international institutions with the latest information and instruction about coronavirus.

• World Health Organization WHO
• European Commission
• European Travel Commission (ETC)
• Worldometers
• Slovenia info
• Slovenian Government

Preparedness and measures in Slovenia or Recommendations for travelers

 

Medical help and further information

In case you feel the symptoms of possible COVID-19 infection (coughing, fever, shortness of breath), call 112 for further instructions.

Coronavirus call center with up-to-date information is available at the free of charge phone number: 080 1404. It is operating daily between 8:00 and 20:00. It’s accessible only if you are calling from one of the Slovenian phone networks.

Contact phone number by the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH): +386 31 646 617. It is operating daily between 9:00 and 17:00. It’s accessible from any phone network.

 

Most importantly, STAY POSITIVE! Together, we will get through this, and you’ll still have the most wonderful wedding!

 

xoxo,
Petra

 

*****

I’m here for you.

Wherever you are in the world, if you are planning a wedding and you’d like expert support by your side – I’m here for you. I can give you comprehensive guidance, or just peace of mind on the certain elements you need help with. To get in touch, you can fill out my contact form or just email me at bled@storija.si