If you’re reading this, that probably means you had to alter more than just your dress for your wedding--you had to alter almost everything. While I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, I can imagine it’s been stressful, draining, and immensely disappointing. Something that was supposed to be the happiest time of your life has turned into nothing but a headache.
It’s not all bad though. The state of the world might even allow you to really achieve perfection with the vision you have for your day - from decorations to vendors to attire and more. I’ve come up with a few things that might help you see the bright side of this dark time and make your delayed wedding even better than it would have been normally!
Northern NJ Weddings - Garret Torres Photography
Communicate with the vendors you’ve already hired.
Just as with many things in life, communication is key! As soon as you know that you’re going to be postponing or as soon as you have a makeup date, let your vendors know! Better yet - ask your vendors for dates that they’re free in the timeframe you have in mind before you reschedule. Hopefully they all have at least one free date in common, and you’ll be able to have the same team of talented professionals as you would have originally.
Waiting too long can make things much worse. I know photographers who have had couples cancel on them because they were already booked on their rescheduled date. Now the couple is saddled with the task of finding another photographer that fits their style, personality, and budget, and the photographer has lost a job they rely on to keep food on the table. It’s a lose-lose situation. It’s not just photographers who are affected. Makeup artists, hair stylists, DJs, videographers, florists, caterers, you name it; they’ve all been hit with similar situations. The one way to make sure you don’t get stuck scrambling to replace the vendors you fell in love with is to communicate!
If things don’t work out with your original vendors, don’t lose hope! There are tons of us out there, and some are here to make the planning process easy and stress-free. I had the opportunity to speak with Brooke Heller, an esteemed wedding planner in my market. If you’re over the search to find perfect vendors all over again, you might want to get in touch with Brooke. Take it from her:
This business is not just a job to me, it is a passion. In these tough times couples are faced with the challenge of starting over which can be extremely overwhelming and discouraging, that is where I step in. My goal is to go above and beyond to recreate the visions of their wedding day while connecting clients with the appropriate vendors.
Whitewoods Weddings, eastern PA wedding venue- Garret Torres Photography
Use this time to research.
The internet is overflowing with inspiration and resources for your wedding, and not just on Pinterest! Based on your vision, you can find inspiration pretty much anywhere.
Let’s say you’re a bride who’s planning a rustic wedding in a barn: obviously you’ve already searched Google, Pinterest, Instagram, etc for “rustic wedding” or #barnwedding, But dive deeper. The barn is probably not in a large city filled with office buildings, it’s most likely in a rural area where the people live the rustic lifestyle. That means there are woodworkers, gardeners, musicians, and general DIYers who are dying to share their talents with you. Ask the coordinator at your venue for their local recommendations! If you want to go one step further, ask other couples who have gotten married there who they used, why they loved their work, what they would have done differently, or how they found their vendors. It’s as easy as searching "#myvenuewedding” (obviously replace myvenue with the name of your venue) on Instagram and leaving a comment or sending a message. People are usually happy to help!
The same approach can be used for any kind of wedding theme. Just know and trust your vision, and dive in!
Rustic wedding decor at The Farm at Glenwood Mountain - NJ Outdoor Wedding Venue - Garret Torres Photography
Try new things.
I’m an advocate for staying at home and limiting the ways this virus can spread. That’s where the internet saves the day. Did you know you can still try on dresses and suits without leaving your home? Crazy stuff. Azazie, as well as other bridal shops, are shipping sample dresses for brides to try on at insanely low prices. For those who are searching for suits and tuxes, check out Menguin.
Everybody is using Zoom or FaceTime these days to stay in touch. Why not use it as a way to meet potential vendors? If you’re looking to hire a photographer, videographer, DJ, whatever, set up a video chat! There’s no better way to get to know someone than by meeting in person, and there’s no better way to meet in person without meeting in person than video chatting. Emails can be tricky to pick up on personality, phone calls can feel like you need to rush through the conversation, but video calls offer a more intimate, relaxed setting for you to learn about a vendor’s mission and what they can offer you. We have no shortage of free time these days, so get in touch with potential vendors and set up those calls!
Finger Lakes Vintage Wedding Style - Geneva On The Lake - Garret Torres Photography
Take care of yourself.
Something that can get lost in all the chaos of planning a wedding is your own health - both physical and mental. While quarantining it can be easy to fall into habits of binging Netflix or playing video games for hours on end - both things I’m guilty of - but your free time can be used to make sure that you’re in a good place as well. Go for walks. Discover a new hobby or rekindle your love for one you had before life got too hectic. Have video calls with your bridesmaids and groomsmen. All it takes is a few minutes a day. There are plenty of yoga videos on YouTube to follow along with. Peloton is giving users a free 90-day trial of their workout app with no bike required! If all you’re doing is worrying and stressing about your wedding plans, it’s only going to make the process worse. If you’re in a good headspace, you’ll be able to tackle the tasks you need to with an open mind and a better outlook.
And that leads me to my last tip…
I love taking walks around the neighborhood with these beauties :)
Remember why you’re doing this.
I give this advice to almost every couple I speak with who are going through a stressful time. I think now, more than ever, it rings true. The reason you’re getting married (hopefully) is because you’ve found someone you don’t want to live without, and you want the world to know it. You’re giving your heart to someone just as they’ve given theirs to you. Weddings are an incredible way of celebrating your love, but when the wedding’s over, you’re left with photos, videos, and a spouse. A teammate. A partner to stand beside you through the good times and bad times, all your lives. If you have to postpone your wedding, I totally understand the frustration. I get it. But remember why you’re doing this. Your love for each other won’t change if your marriage certificate has a different date than you initially intended on having. Making sure you and loved ones are healthy enough to celebrate your love once this is all over… that’s worth waiting for.
Natural views at Skyview Golf Club - Sparta, NJ - Garret Torres Photography