How Wedding Vendors are Dealing with the Coronavirus?
All across the nation, couples are having to deal with the reality about their upcoming wedding in March, April and May for their weddings.
As many wedding venues are closing down and some are still having weddings with large numbers and facing the consequences.
Today, we are going to explore a bit what wedding vendors across the industry are doing to help cope with the issues.
Couples Are Confused, Frustrated and Mad
First, I want to say that couples, especially those with weddings within the next 8+ weeks are mad, confused and frustrated.
Hey, let me be frank with you, all us the wedding industry completely gets your anger, frustration and stress.
With all the daily changes and updates about corona virus and the CDC recommendations for weddings and events, wedding vendors are in the same boat.
One of the first things that we’ll tell you if you have wedding hysteria is to just take a deep breath and relax.
One way or another, you will have your wedding.
We are hearing that most couples have a few options to consider.
Option 1
Have the wedding as planned, if the venue will allow it with just immediate family.
This is the press forward no matter what option and some couples are still on, as long as the venue will let them have it.
One thing to note here is that many wedding guests are going to not show up, in some cases, I’ve seen fellow photographers and videographers post images of where weddings from last weekend we’re dead.
Do NOT have your wedding with a full amount of guest list at this point in time!
More than two dozen people got infected with the virus earlier this month in Australia.
Couples started feeling ill after the March 6th wedding.
"To midday on March 19, there have been 26 NSW residents who attended the wedding who have been diagnosed with COVID-19," NSW Health said in a statement.
"There are another four NSW residents with COVID-19 who are close contacts of wedding attendees with COVID.
"NSW Health is aware of another five people with COVID-19 who attended the wedding but live interstate."
Tumbling Waters Wedding Venue
Vendors on Facebook groups are sharing their wedding images too.
One videographer said that out of 365 guests roughly 85 showed up, that’s about 23% of their guests. Note that was before the implement of limits the number of people to gather.
Option 2
Postpone the wedding date and reschedule it for a later time.
Another option is to ride our everything with the wedding and reception and work with the vendors to reschedule the date.
Many couples are choosing this as an option because of all the money that has been sunk into the wedding already.
I’m seeing the majority of couples opt for this as a decision and most vendors they are working with are waiving any rescheduling fees or they’re helping by rebooking with them or getting someone to cover for dates they are already booked.
We recommend this as the best option for most.
Option 3
Elope, then have a reception later.
This is something that a few couples are doing.
Simply have a courthouse wedding or a very small wedding (less than 10 people) and reschedule the reception for a later time with the venue.
CDC recommends canceling events with 50 or more people for the next eight weeks throughout US
This seems to be the second most popular option for couples and many are working with guests, vendors and family to try and still have the wedding, just at a very small and quick ceremony.
In the US, the CDC says for groups of more than 10 should not gather.
In England, the Church of England just announced that no more than 5 should be at a wedding.
That’s literally the priest, the couple and two witnesses.
Option 4
Elope and forgo any later reception.
While we haven’t had any of couples do this, I’ve seen it pop up a couple of times on Facebook messages and the like.
Simply elope and skip having any sort of big wedding reception plans. This seems to be the least popular option as most have sunk thousands into vendors already.
The effects of coronavirus on social gatherings led to Brooke Cook and Brad Wilson’s decision to elope on March 14. It was a quickly organized wedding at the Veritas Winery in Afton, Va. Judge Rick Moore of the Charlottesville Circuit Court officiated, using an old wine barrel as a lectern. Credit...Kate Greer Photography
Option 5
Cancel everything until 2021 if possible.
We’ve had only one couple cancel everything, they plan on just having a church wedding and nothing else.
The couple is trying to figure out a date and if they get one, they’ll let us come and film their wedding.
Don’t Count on Wedding Insurance to Cover This
The big three that offer wedding insurance, WedSafe, Traveler’s and Progressive have all stopped selling policies until further notice due to the virus.
You should check your existing policy and see if you can cancel because of the virus and get some of your money back should you go that route.
If you have not purchased insurance and try do so and the wedding is within the next few months, the corona-virus will not cover your policy.
What Vendors are Doing
Let me share with you a few things some various vendors are doing to try their best to help out.
We for one are working with rescheduling, offering Live Streaming for FREE for all 2020 and 2021 clients, cleaning our gear each wedding and bringing hand santizier with us too.
Candice Rork Photography
“Trying to reschedule as much as I can so I’m available on their new days, if not, finding associates I trust if I’m not available and paying the associates the remaining balance and not charging transfer fees or any additional fees to clients/couples.”
“We are sending reassurance to our clients. Trying to communicate as much as possible. We are also offering a discount to those who had to reschedule and find new vendors.”
“We are having to reschedule allot due to flowers not being able to come plus the ban on large groups. I’m refunding or rebooking”
“I just posted a video to support any couple whose wedding has been affected by this. I really want these couples to know that we see their pain. I want them to know this is not normal, and it is not fair that they have to go through it. I also wanted to show them they are not alone, and that there is a path forward. And that ultimately, this will all pass, and it WILL NOT CHANGE their love story!!!”
Refunds will be Difficult for Most
If you’re seeking a refund from a small wedding vendor due to you cancelling your wedding from the virus, chances are it will be difficult at best.
Even if the wedding contract says you can get a refund, don’t except to get one right away.
Most vendors have already spent your deposit in other things, employees, rent, advertising, gear or hardlines, softlines and the like too.
If you are dead set on getting a refund, work with the vendor and try to let them pay you back over time so they can help ease the issue of refunds.
Many of these small mom-n-pops have a hard time as it is and margins are small to begin with, so be flexible, be understanding and work with the vendor instead of just running to social media to bash them.
If you find yourself in a situation like that, the best thing to do is keep you calm and try to work with the vendor.
Do NOT intentionally ruin their name online.
If you do thinking it will make you feel good, just know that many times doing so comes back to haunt your wallet as in the case of Andrea Polito, a wedding photographer that got more than a million dollars.
The couple she worked with went to social media over a simple misunderstanding and lack of knowing the contract they signed.
It ruined her name and she sued, getting a lot of money in the process.
Our best advice, try to reschedule everything than cancel.
Some Companies are Struggling
Some companies within the wedding are already struggling and that tells you how small their margins or profits are.
What we’re seeing is that many wedding photographers and videographers, including florists, catering companies, DJ’s, dress shops and venues are going to have a really rough time, especially those that are in the business full-time.
In fact, according to the Washington Post and a recent article about losing jobs because of the corona virus, work is drying up and within the wedding industry, it’s very apparent.
Marriages in United States
These stats from the US census tend to tell us that during rough times, like the 2001 terrorist attack or the 2008 housing bubble, less people are getting married. During rough economical times, the effects of the wedding industry also suffer as shown on the chart. The forecast shows that weddings will increase after 2020 but they will be fewer than those numbers from 2015.
Without getting into too much data, the wedding industry will have tough times for vendors and the more vendors in the marketplace, the harder it will be for many to thrive in the industry.
Final Thoughts
“You and your soon-to-be spouse will get through this venture just as you’ve been through things in the past.”
No matter which option you choose for the wedding day, look past the finances, the large guest lists, the vendors and the dress and focus on the most important thing in the situation, each other.
What are your thoughts on all this corona virus stuff in the media and network news? Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts!