Wedding planning is stressful enough without an unprecedented health crisis thrown into the mix. With global travel off the table and the government advising against large group gatherings, weddings penned for at least the next two months are suddenly facing a huge question mark, giving many couples no choice but to postpone their nuptials.
Luckily, it takes more than a global pandemic to faze Mark Niemierko. Wedding planner and event organiser extraordinaire, Niemierko is the mastermind behind the tablescapes, pudding rooms and aisle flowers you’ve been saving on Pinterest. Here, Vogue speaks to Niemierko for the definitive guide to navigating up-in-the-air wedding plans in the current climate.
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To cancel, or to postpone?
“I would really encourage couples to not cancel their wedding. Talk to your venue first and look at postponing. By cancelling you will lose your deposit. And remember: once this difficult period is over, we will need to celebrate. As cheesy as it sounds, you are in love – celebrate it and bring people together for hugely positive reasons.”
Is it better to wait for the venue to postpone, or should the couple make the first move?
“I wouldn’t wait: the key is to communicate, so speak with your venue immediately. If your wedding is in the next two months, get on with moving it as soon as you can. Venues don’t want to endanger their staff as much as they don’t want to cause any risks to guests. Come July, weddings will hopefully be safe.”
When would you recommend as a safe date to reschedule a wedding for?
“I would suggest that from mid-July to early October would most likely be secure. But, if you want to be 100 per cent sure, postpone until spring or summer 2021. I would highly advise, however, to not reschedule for the winter: there are reports this virus will reappear in the winter months, and there is unlikely to be a vaccine by this time.”
What rights do couples without wedding insurance have?
“This is an unprecedented event that no one could have predicted. Whilst you won’t have any legal rights, the wedding industry as a whole is being sympathetic and understanding. Most venues and all suppliers should happily move your wedding to a new date with no additional charge. If you are insured, check your policy: some insurers aren’t covering this event.”
What about weddings abroad, especially those in Europe?
“This is the most difficult of all situations as you are dealing with another country’s regulations. I would recommend waiting for flights and borders to open again before beginning to choose a new date. If you’re a newly engaged couple looking forward, don’t start planning a destination wedding until a while after this experience.”
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How should couples discuss the changes with planned vendors, and how should they broach additional costs?
“Like venues, most suppliers should be happy to move the date so long as your wedding is within a six-to-twelve month period of the original date. If your planned wedding is imminent, some suppliers such as florists and caterers may have already incurred some costs. In this instance, in my opinion, they should only charge you their cost rate, with no mark-up or profit. Invitations are a tricky one: if you want to send new invitations, you will of course incur a 100 per cent reprint charge. Those suppliers offering a service rather than a product, such as photographers, videographers, entertainers, should add no additional costs to move your wedding date.”
How would you recommend couples communicate with their guests if the date is looking uncertain?
“It is most likely your guests have already been in touch. But, for speed, write a blind copied email to all guests. Explain that you will be postponing your wedding, give the new wedding date – or, if you don’t have one just yet, explain that you will be in touch. As lovely as posted printed announcements would be, time is of the essence, so stick with an email or a digital invitation to announce the new date. If you have a wedding planner, they should have already done this for you.”
How would you recommend couples cope with the disappointment?
“There is no getting away from the fact that this is heartbreaking, but love will save the day, and we will celebrate again. What I hope will happen is that couples will realise the most important aspect of their wedding day is that it’s a celebration, and not get too lost worrying about the details. Having your loved ones witness you say ‘I do’ and raise a glass is far more important.
One more thing: given the uncertainty of travel this summer, make an effort to support the UK hotel and hospitality industries. Book a chic mini-moon for directly after your wedding in the English countryside. Save the Maldives for next year or for your first wedding anniversary, as something to look forward to to get you over those post wedding blues.”
