naVIGATING A PANDeMIC
What are our options?
Take a deep
I hope that wherever this finds you today, that you are safe, healthy and together with your loved one(s). This situation is certainly unprecedented, and as a collective, it's easy to quite literally feel the weight of the world right now. My wish is that throughout this all, you are able to feel grounded, present, and at home with yourself and each other, even though there are massive shifts and trauma happening outside our doors.
I am so sorry that you're having to think about potentially altering your wedding plans. I can't imagine the additional stress that this has the potential to add onto your already full plate; so before we even get further into this... I want you to know that I am here to help. I am on your team, and I support you two wholeheartedly.
And although I cannot relate to having to adjust wedding plans during this strange and unknown time, I do know what it feels like to be uncertain and afraid. For me, my income is dwindling weekly, with cancelled sessions, the inability to host workshops and of course, wedding plans being postponed and cancelled. It's terrifying to think that I have a family of five to support during these trying times.
But perhaps the beauty in all this; the simple fact that no matter our story, our lifestyle, or our backgrounds, right here in this moment, we are all moving through this time together.
I am right here and in this with you
Breath
Let's Break it down
Being that photography isn't the only adjustment that you may need to be making. I wanted to make this portion of your plans as simple and straightforward as possible for you. I've taken what we've already talked about as well as what I've come up with in the face of this pandemic, to bring you clear and concise options to choose from moving forward if you do need to make an adjustment to your plans.
With my couples that I've conversed back and forth with about adjustments, as well conferring with other photographers, I've gathered a total of three options that I wanted to lay out here for you!
01
03
02
simply put, we keep everything as is
do the damn thing and postpone the party
Transfer to another date for 2020 or 2021
We're playing out this situation day by day and we can't know what's to come; but, if your wedding is later in the season, then we can hope that physical distancing measures will be lifted, and gathering in large groups won't be a health issue and can keep your plans as is.
If you're really committed to marrying each other on the day that you've chosen and really don't want to put everything on hold, then I'm prepared to still come photograph and document your day, following AHS guidelines. If you're postponing the party at a later date, I'm prepared to transfer all funds paid to that date, and opting to photograph your 'I do's' with just a small travel fee.
No one could have predicted that these changes would need to take place, which is why I am waiving any rescheduling fees, as well as waiving the need to pay a new retainer if your wedding date is rescheduled for next year. Because I am not charging these fees, I have come to the difficult decision for my business to leave dates open for future bookings. If all my 2020 weddings were postponed for next year, this would prevent me from being able to book another wedding in a new corporate year, which equates to a HUGE loss of income. I am choosing to waive rescheduling fees, but please note that I am still booking weddings for 2021 and will reschedule your date if I am available. I'm happy to reserve dates for my current couples so that if we were to postpone, that date would be available for them. But in the end I have to stand from a business point of view and still be able to put food on the table for my family next year. With that said, I am definitely encouraging my couples to postpone their weddings later into 2020 instead of 2021.
Resources
If you don't know where to start:
How to inform your guests:
Other useful content:
Information about event insurance:
save the new date cards:
If you're feeling like you're a bit lost on where to go, here's a quick overview of what you can start doing right now.
This article from BRIDES.com that I think lays things out well about how to inform your guests. Also, ensure that you are taken care of mentally and emotionally.
Here is a fantastic blog that explains more about event insurance.
This is an amazing calligrapher who is actually doing this for you! I would highly recommend that you download Crissie Vitale's FREE wedding date change download.
Another article by The Knot may be useful!
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Click Here
Disclaimer: Some of these articles are US based and some CDC protocols have changed since they've been published. Please make sure you are up to date with CDC, WHO and AHS guidelines for our country/province*
How to stay
Positive
Once you've taken the proper time to grieve, here are a few ways to stay positive whenever you're ready. And again, there's no rush to feel ready quickly, you take your time however you need to. I personally recommend that you change things up and focus on the two of you during this time. Just make sure you remember who is this about, and pour a little love into one another. HERE is a cute indoor date guide.
