5 Steps to Take If You Have to Postpone Your Wedding

If you have to postpone your wedding due to the current state of the world, you’re probably feeling a range of emotions. While it’s normal to feel sad, angry and disappointed, know that you will still have your dream wedding day – there are just a few adjustments that need to be made first.

Please Note: It is better to “postpone” than to “cancel”.

What to Consider When Postponing Your Wedding Day

1.Get a Professional Involved

If you’ve been working with a wedding planner up until this point, this is the first person you should turn to at this time. Working with a wedding planner can help take some of the pressure off when you’re already feeling upset about the postponement. The last thing you want to do is make emotional decisions. By letting a third party help you, it will be easier to make logical decisions about what to do next.

If you are not already working with a wedding planner, you can hire someone on a limited basis to handle this delicate process for you.

2. Get Realistic About the Financial Details

Unfortunately, when there’s a change of plans, it can result in financial losses. You may be able to negotiate with your venue and hired professionals so that you lose little to no money. However, it’s still best to have realistic expectations. There is a chance that you might lose your deposit or need to pay extra to make the necessary adjustments.

3. Get In Touch with Your Venue

If you want to start looking at new dates, get in touch with your venue about availability. Again, it’s best to have realistic expectations and be flexible. If your venue is popular, you will have to work with the dates they have open. If you don’t like the options they have available, you can always look at new venues, but know that you would likely be forfeit your deposit.

4. Get In Touch with Your Hired Professionals

Once you’ve been in touch with both your wedding planner and your venue, you can start making arrangements with each of your hired professionals. If any of then are unable to accommodate your new date, you may need to look for a replacement. There is also a chance that you may incur some losses here if you need to switch vendors. Your wedding planner can help you work with your hired professionals and your venue together if you want to have better chances of finding a date that works for everyone.

5. Send Out Change the Date Cards

Next, you want to make sure that your guests know about the postponement. This is where your wedding website comes in handy. If you haven’t yet picked a new date, you can simply update the website to let guests know that they will find out about a new date soon. If you’ve already picked a new date, include it on your “Change the Date” cards. The sooner you can let guests know, the better… especially if they have to make travel arrangements.

These are the main factors to consider when postponing your wedding. If you’ve already planned your honeymoon, don’t forget to make the necessary changes to your travel arrangements too.

Once you’ve gotten the big adjustments out of the way, you can start looking forward to your big day all over again. If you need assistance with any of these changes, contact Trilogy Event Design for a consultation.

Until next time… I leave you with Glitter Wishes & Unicorn Kisses!

Wedding Planning: A guide to planning a wedding during the Coronavirus pandemic

Before I begin listing things, I should probably introduce myself. I’ve been a planner ever since I was a little girl. I used to plan elaborate tea parties and invite all of my favorite dolls and stuffed animals. Now, of course I plan real parties for you know, real people but I still have the same attitude. I love creating beautiful spaces with Trilogy Event Design! I guess my parents were sort of clairvoyant because they named me, Jubilee. They must have known that I would love to celebrate!

So, you get engaged and it’s probably the best moment of your life! You’re so excited to begin planning your wedding and share this special moment with the people in your life. Then, wham! A global pandemic strikes the world and everyone’s life comes to a crashing halt. Around the globe, peoples’ lives have changed and the every day things that used to be so normal are suddenly strenuous and grueling. You’re working from home or you’ve been laid off. You’re engaged, but is there going to be a wedding? You wanted a huge, magnificent wedding, but what planning can you do from your home? Well, it turns out, A LOT!

Planning a wedding is stressful in the best of times. During this health scare, it has become daunting and some would say, unrealistic. Never fear! I have worked up a guide for the At Home Wedding Planner. There are so many things that a bride or groom to be can do to be proactive during the Covid-19 pandemic. I am here to help you!

1. Wedding Cake

A chocolate cake with chocolate espresso frosting I made over the weekend

 I am a certified pastry chef and choosing a wedding cake is probably my favorite part of the whole wedding planning process! I have spoken with a couple of bakeries and companies who make wedding cakes. They have informed me that they are still able to do wedding cake tastings BUT you have to plan waaaaaay ahead, at least a month. Because the bakeries are not open to the public during this time, they are scheduling everything one customer at a time. This may seem onerous and foreboding, but it’s actually responsible and safe. Plus, you will have the whole place to yourself! Whether you schedule online or just make a phone call, making an appointment gives you something to look forward to and let’s face it, who doesn’t want to a couple hours to just eat cake?!

2. Wedding Dress or Suit Shopping

Photo from Martha Stewart Weddings

Even as a little girl, I pictured what my wedding dress would look like. And yes, I definitely wanted a fairy tale dress with a poufy skirt and ALL the frills and lace! I mean I have come to my senses…sorta. I still want a fairy tale wedding, but my idea of what a fairy tale wedding actually looks like has changed. Of course, you can order magazines online and there are a TON of different websites to cruise when checking out new styles, but if you, like me, actually have to SEE the dress on you before you know if it’s the one, then you will be happy to know that most wedding dress stores are still available to peruse. Bridal shops, like bakeries, are now appointment only. So, here’s what I recommend. Pick a day when you and MAYBE one other person can spend the day looking at dresses. I would make an appointment at three different places in one day and spend your time trying on dresses and getting feedback on what you like. You don’t necessarily have to buy one, although if you put on that one perfect dress, get it! While you are at the store, if you need to schedule fittings or tailoring for your dress, do it. If you don’t find the perfect dress, schedule an appointment with three other bridal shops. You get the picture.

3. Invitations and Photographers

Invitation by Penned by Pink; Photo by Sheronda Seawright Photography

These two are pretty simple because most paper source stores have all of their samples online. Also, most stores have waived their shipping cost now, so this would be a perfect time to order samples of the invitations you would like to see and feel. There might be a small fee if you want the sample invitations personalized, but it shouldn’t cost a ton.

Photographers are also pretty simple. All photographers have websites where you can look at their different galleries and find a style that you like. Next, email them and schedule a time to talk.

4. Social Media

Photo from fivechannels.com

I think that social media is hands down the best tool to use during this pandemic! Even if you don’t have a Facebook or Instagram account (or Tik Tok, Twitter, etc) YOU SHOULD START ONE NOW! Create a page specifically for your wedding and start posting. Invite the people who are in your wedding party, family members, friends, anyone who you know is going to be at your wedding. Ask questions; look for ideas, ask your friends to post links of people or companies they have used for their wedding or other events. I guarantee people will begin to suggest things that hadn’t event crossed your mind! Your network of friends and family is your greatest resource! Use them. If at some point in the planning process, you feel like you are getting overwhelmed with everything, give the task of maintaining your page to the Maid of Honor or one of the groomsmen. But the great thing about social media is the accessibility. Facebook and Instagram are accessible from everywhere! You never have to feel alone in the wedding planning process. Your friends will help you!

5. Vows

This suggestion is only for the people who are writing out their own vows versus using the traditional vows. During the next couple months, you will probably get reallllly close with your fiancé. Being closed up with one particular person (even if you don’t live with that person) is hard, at least for me! Their little idiosyncrasies will begin to annoy you and the little habits that were once cute will begin to eat away at your sanity. Having said that, if you guys survive this whole Covid-19 thing, you can probably make it through anything! So keeping that in mind, you may want to consider writing your own vows. You definitely have the time to think of all the things that you love about your partner. And even if you don’t ever read them in front of a crowd of people, it’s still great to look back on a piece of paper from a time before you were married when you were very much in love.

I hope this short list helps you out. Planning a wedding should be fun! If you are feeling discouraged or overwhelmed, we are here to help you. Trilogy Event Design is offering FREE 30-minute phone consultations to talk through your concerns concerning Coronavirus delays and other wedding planning details. Schedule your appointment today!

Happy Planning!

Join Our Facebook Community

Our Wedding Coaches assist Brides and Grooms through the steps to plan their own weddings. Like a planner, only better. Advice. Inspiration. Peace of Mind.

While a Wedding Planner will plan all of the details for your wedding (from finding the perfect venue to hiring professionals), a Wedding Coach will guide you through the steps to plan the wedding yourself.

We are excited to announce our new Wedding Coaches Facebook Community! The Wedding Coaches provide guidance to couples as they plan their weddings. Group members are encouraged to join in the discussions to ask questions and give advice too.

This group is for you if you have not hired a professional wedding planner but don't have 200 hrs to sit online doing research for your wedding.

This group is for you if you are overwhelmed with information overload and just want someone to answer your questions.

This group is for you if you are looking for recommendations and resources for your wedding.

Join our FREE Facebook Community today!

As always,

Glitter Wishes & Unicorn Kisses

Does Size Matter?

Photo by Lauren Driscoll Photography

Now that I have your attention... I'm talking about why small weddings totally rock!

Reason #1 - With a smaller guest list, you can afford to be more fabulous.

Having a small wedding does not mean you can't afford a big wedding. It means you can get more bang for your buck. Let's say youe wedding budget is $25,000. Sure you could have 200 guests in an catering hall with a $60 per plate menu and average centerpieces, but wouldn't it be an amazing reception with 75 guests enjoying a $125 per plate menu and amazing entertainment surrounded by incredible decor? OR you can put the extra money toward the photographer of your dreams.

Reason #2 - You can save a lot of money.

With a smaller guest list, you save on food and favors. You'll have fewer tables, so you will save on centerpieces and table linens. You won't need as many invitations, wedding programs, or escort cards. Can you see the savings adding up already?

Reason #3 - You can celebrate with the most important people in your lives.

When you limit the guest list to your closest family and friends, you allow yourselves time to really share the joys of the day with those you hold dearest to you. You actually get to spend time with everyone at your wedding. You probably don't remember your father's coworkers who you met once at "Take Your Daughters to Work Day" when you were 12 anyway.

Reason #4 - You can host your wedding in more unique venues.

Some historic mansions and art galleries are only able to accommodate 100 guests or less. If you are hosting a very small reception (I'm talking 25 - 30 guests), a wine cellar or private dining room could be the ideal location. The beach is another welcoming place for an intimate ceremony.

Reason #5 - You can make your wedding more memorable for your guests.

You can add more personal touches. Your guests can actually get to know one another. I heard of a bride who wrote individual notes to each guest to personally thank them for coming to her wedding and to tell them about the other guests seated at the table that they may not know (great conversation starter).

BONUS REASON - The bride is less likely to turn into a BRIDEZILLA.

An intimate wedding will feel less like a major production and will be less stressful for the bride.

Let’s chat more about this in person. Contact us to schedule an initial meeting.

Until then…

Glitter Wishes & Unicorn Kisses!