How to prepare for the Covid-19 crisis if you are getting married this year

A few weeks back I was having a design meeting with one my Spring couples, the first of 2020. They were radiating with excitement, as we reflected on how to style and lay out the venue for a perfectly fluid day. We discussed how to structure key events to ensure dreamy natural lighting and the ideal temperature throughout the celebration. I’m sure you can imagine that there are a trillion details behind every decision when it comes to planning a wedding, so when a great big spanner gets thrown into the works and all of a sudden we have to put everything on pause, and just wait, then it’s okay to feel like crap. You have put so much heart into planning your big day and now it feels so far away.

We are not used to being thrown off balance so suddenly.

Some of us are being kept away from our vulnerable loved ones, others in self isolation and many on unpaid leave. Needless to say, it’s not a great time for any of us. In Spain we have been in quarantine since the 14th of March and it is due to end on the 11th of April. It is a mental challenge to remain positive, but definitely one I’m embracing.

I have gained a sense of clarity by understanding how deeply connected we all are; experiencing how infectious the energy of a passerby can be, the ripple effect of one business failing and how a pangolin can put the whole world on standby. I believe we need to make a conscious effort not to count our losses, but instead envision how we can move forward in solidarity. Every single one of our choices, and actions, have a greater impact than we may consider during this fragile time.

SO LET ME SHARE SOME ADVICE ON WHAT YOU COULD DO TO PREPARE IN THE MEANTIME.

Should I postpone my wedding if I am getting married this year?

If you have a wedding coming up in Spain in April or May then it’s a good idea to postpone until later this year, of course it also depends on where you are coming from and what kind of travel bans your country have implemented (if any). August, September or October are all great months to get married in Spain if you are thinking of a plan B, but again it depends on where you are travelling from and if your suppliers are able to change the date. Some may already be fully booked up with other events.

At Open the Door, we are doing everything possible to offer our support and advice during these uncertain times. If Spain is still in state of emergency or there is a travel ban in place in your country, then we would do everything possible to postpone your wedding to a later date this year, ensuring your reservation fee isn’t lost*. However, this requires flexibility on your part too, and choosing a date that may not be your second or even third choice needs to be an option, as does having a weekday wedding. Most industry professionals use weekdays and the end of the season to give conferences, workshops and go on courses themselves so your vendors are having to make sacrifices too. We understand that this is a difficult situation to be in. We 100% feel you because we are in this together and are also working around the clock to make sure you still get the most incredible wedding ever.

*Please note that this is not the standard policy and even for postponing a wedding many couples are losing their reservation fee. The retainer covers the cost of the work that has already been put in and is in place to protect companies from situations like this.

What are my options if I postpone to 2021?

Speak to your wedding planner, if you don’t have one start contacting your vendors and check what your options are. Most suppliers do a limited number of weddings per year, if they have any gaps for the upcoming year left, then this could be an option. Bear in mind that some businesses increase their rates each year and if you have booked over a year in advance already, it may mean you are expecting to pay much less for their services than they are expecting to charge in 2021. For this reason if you plan to postpone your wedding to next year, you could lose your reservation fee altogether OR may need to pay a supplement on the agreed rate - the conditions vary from supplier to supplier.

A small business without an income for a whole season could go bankrupt, contracts are in place to prevent this from happening and as much as your wedding vendors are trying to do everything for you, they still have bills and staff to pay. This is not a situation anyone wants to be in so lets work together in finding a solution.

What is best for everyone and next steps?

Be flexible, ask your suppliers what the best options are for them too and do you best to work with them, they have your best interests at heart and will do everything to make your wedding day truly unforgettable, but it’s important to remember that they also need to protect their livelihoods.

All the couples who have a wedding planner dealing with this for them, consider yourselves lucky! We have been hired precisely to take care of issues like this so you don’t have to.

In plainer words, we are the ones to count on when shit hits the fan.

Stuck at home with the love of your life

Aren’t there so many worse scenarios though! Fill your days with things you love, this isn’t the time to do all that paperwork you’ve been putting off or that Spring clean, but to enjoy your time together because these are hard times we are living. Focus on what makes you feel positive and uplifted. Reading, cooking, drawing are all great mood enhancers, as is movement. So maybe nows the time to crank up the volume and rehearse your first dance, or just boogie baby!

And when all this has blown over, 2020 brides, grooms and guests are going to have the wedding of a lifetime. By then everyone is going to be desperate to connect, dance and celebrate, so let’s put all our energy into thinking about that amazing fiesta to come.

Sending you lots of warm hugs and love from Cordoba x