At this point, everyone is aware of the Coronavirus (also known as COVID - 19). The United States President has advised social distancing and our Governor (we’re located in NJ) has advised limiting gatherings to 50 people or less to control the disease from spreading. However, I’m not sure if the vast majority of people are understanding how this is affecting Brides, Grooms, and the wedding industry as a whole. Well, since I am a professional wedding videographer/cinematographer in the wedding industry, I’d love to educate couples on what is currently happening and help give them the necessary advice and steps to take throughout this process. I have come up with 5 Steps to guide you in the transitioning of your new wedding date. With that being said, I’d also like to take the time to explain how wedding professionals are being affected as well.
First, I want to address the 2020 Brides and Grooms. My heart goes out to you all. I can only imagine how you must feel during these uncertain upcoming months. You’ve spent so much time researching all your vendors, booking them, trying on dress after dress, coordinating everything with your bridal party, and all the rest of the small details to make sure your wedding day runs smoothly.
My own wedding was a few months ago and I know how much work it entails planning out all of the logistics of your wedding day. I definitely experienced many tears along the way, but with all the tears I’m here to tell you that everything went smoothly and we had a beautiful day. Honestly, I realized the day of my wedding, how I was stressing about all these little details when really I needed to look at the big picture and realize it’s going to be wonderful no matter what, because I’m marrying the man of my dreams. It didn’t matter at that time, where the event was, when it was, what events took place on my wedding day that potentially went wrong or could have went wrong…I honestly didn’t care. That day was going to be my day, filled with happiness and no one was stopping me and my husband from enjoying it. It was a day to celebrate our love and show everyone that came to celebrate with us the commitment we have for each other. I am confident in saying that you will feel this way as well because what matters most is the two of you becoming husband and wife.
Lorenzo Media Productions Filmed And Edited This Wedding Movie Trailer
As for now, I understand rescheduling your wedding day has definitely put a damper on things but like I stated earlier, I’m a wedding videographer (Lorenzo Media Productions) and am here to help you through this transition. That is why my husband and I have come up with 5 steps that we highly recommend you take, in order to transition to a new wedding date smoothly with your Venue and Vendors.
5 Steps To Changing Your Date Smoothly
1) Get a list of new potential dates from the venue.
- Make sure to get more than 1 potential date. As many as possible to ensure the new date will align with all of your vendors.
2) Contact your vendors and see which date(s) ALL vendors are available for.
3) Request a 1 week soft hold from your vendors and venue for that new tentative date.
- Not everyone will grant this but it can't hurt to ask.
4) Lock in the new date with the venue (Within that 1 week time frame)
5) Lock in the new date with your Vendors IMMEDIATELY.
SIDE NOTE: *Make sure that you are keeping the lines of communication going with your Vendors. Calendars change everyday. The more contact the better!
I hope this information helps you sort out all confusion during this time and you are able to transition to a new wedding date seamlessly! If you are in need of advice I want you to know that we are here for you. You can always email us with your questions, we’d be happy to answer them for you. info@lorenzomediaproductions.com
It is important to understand that everyone in the wedding industry is being affected, including the vendors. We are being as responsive as possible and sympathetic to the situation our couples are going through. However, with that being said, it is important that couples understand the situation their vendors are in because it affects their livelihood. All vendors are self employed, meaning they “find” their own way to make money by starting a business of their own. Unlike people who work 9 to 5 with a steady paycheck, they do not know when they will be booking their next client. Therefore, since we live off our bride and groom’s payments, it is unlikely vendors are able to give refunds. Most wedding vendors are not big corporations that due millions of dollars in revenue. The vast majority are small businesses that provide more of an intimate experience.
The next best solution, where both sides are able to meet in the middle, is to reschedule a date that all your vendors are available for. There are many dates available within a calendar year, including days during the week. I know this may not be ideal for everyone but due to the circumstances and if couples want to get married in the same year without prolonging it to the following year, a weekday wedding would be the very last resort. I will say though, it is not uncommon for my husband and I to film weekday weddings. We’ve filmed Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday weddings in the past and I can assure you they have all been well over 100 people. I think this proves that the day really does not affect friends and family from attending a loved one’s wedding. If they want to be there, they will.
Like I said, we are all in this together and will get through it together as long as everyone is patient and understanding. Sympathizing with both sides to create a mutual understanding of how to move forward is extremely important in these uncertain times.
We wish you all the best on your wedding day. Just remember, no matter what it is going to be a day that you will never forget!
Dierdra - Lorenzo Media Productions