Wedding dates change due to financial stress, family emergencies, venue concerns and now, we can add global pandemics to the list. What a joy! Coming to the realization that your wedding date must be postponed is unsettling and stressful. The best thing you can do after confirming the postponement is to begin the process of moving forward. Informing vendors and ensuring your venue is available are two essential first steps. Communication is key when it comes to coordinating the new date, and one of the hardest communications to navigate is informing your guests of the postponement. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Start by talking with your VIPs. Family and close friends come first. Consider starting by reaching out to any family members who are pitching into the wedding budget. Call or text your wedding party to make sure the date works for their schedules. Talk logistics if needed and start to wrinkle out any scheduling conflicts as they arise.
Inform your guests. Now that the VIPs are in the know, it’s time to spread the word. Feel free to keep communication brief and to the point. All guests need to know is (1) an unanticipated event has occurred, and (2) the new date. No need to give background on the difficult decision making process, keep those conversations between you and the VIPs. Here are a few ways to go about communicating this important information.
Send an email. Emails can be one of the most efficient ways to get the information to your guests as soon as possible. The sooner they receive notice, the more likely they will be able to adjust their schedules and still make it to the wedding.
Mail an official announcement. The official announcement should match the style of the original invites. Keep the card concise, informative and positive. Consider sending an email prior to convey the information to your guest as quickly as possible.
Update the website. Use your wedding website as a channel for communication. Continue to update the website regularly. Start with the new date and then inform guests that additional information can be accessed on the website as the date approaches. Use the website to dodge the endless back-and-forth emails.
Keep a positive attitude. Postponing your wedding is far from ideal. Give yourself a set amount of time to process the change. After that set amount of time be proactive and keep a positive attitude as you transition to the new date. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Lean on your personal wedding planner and vendors to support you through this process. Consider doing something special to commemorate the original wedding date. Stay positive, your wedding day will come and when it does it will be beautiful and well worth the wait.