2021 Couples - How will this Lockdown affect me?
With so much focus on the 2020 season and the push to try and rebook, all 2020 couples with their new dates it’s easy to forget the knock on effect this will have on 2021 couples. So luckily I asked one of my 2021 brides what her worries were with her wedding plans during the Covid-19 restrictions.
Emma:
A few things I'd be wondering with planning a wedding while in isolation:
1. Obviously the wedding industry has been massively hit, and I can't help but wonder about the uncertainty of when this will lift and if it will have an effect on my 2021 wedding.
2. So many suppliers will be in a mess due to this, and I worry about finding backups incase I loose suppliers due to them going out of business during this time. Therefore, I've been researching backups on everything from wedding dresses, makeup artists and florists.
3. In one sense it's been nice as I know I'll have more free time soon to start designing my own invites etc. It's a good time to learn creative skills and have a go at learning to do invites and graphics, set up a wedding website, and start pulling together mood boards for themes.
4. For me, my work has massively been cut so I'm worried about financially being able to afford the wedding I once hoped for. So I'm looking at cheaper alternatives to everything: dried flowers, high street wedding dress, making my own decorations, learning how to bake a wedding cake.... etc etc!
So I want to try and address the queries that I can.
The wedding industry has definitely been affected with the majority of suppliers being either self employed and small business owners. Most currently do not fall under any financial help at present from the government and their main yearly income stream of peak wedding season is being swept away.
With most people having focused their build up and business projections under the illusion that X amount of money would be with them from wedding bookings/outstanding balances this has thrown a lot of suppliers in at the deep end of financial support.
But we understand that we are not alone in this and all suppliers are being affected; everyone is really pulling together within the industry to make sure that we can survive this as an entity of wedding industry suppliers.
But I would be lying if I didn’t say that some hard working businesses may not survive this pandemic; but its best to keep a conversation open with all your suppliers straight away.
Another effect that this could currently have on your date is suppliers that you had your eye on but thought you didn’t have to worry as your date was a year away may now be filling up their 2021 calendar. (crazy to think but hear me out)
2020 couples are postponing their days primarily to available 2021 dates; so many suppliers are now beginning to fill their calendars with these rearranged dates.
Researching backups is a brilliant idea, keeping a conversation open with your suppliers too is a great shout, but more importantly see if there is anyway you can help your suppliers. I understand that there is a lot being asked of all of us financially, but if you are able to find a way to support theself employed and small businesses during this unknown time of our lives then I whole heartedly ask you to do so; it could really make the difference to them. Are there deposits you can pay? Partial balances you can put towards? Are they offering a isolation deal?
One positive focus through this is what an amazing party its going to be when we get to the day you say I do! SO what can you focus on now to really make your day yours? Is there something you’ve seen on Pinterest that you thought would be amazing for your day but ‘in reality when will I find the time’ WELL VOILA! Try your hand and something , you never know you might surprise yourself.
If you’ve already booked many suppliers in for your special day then write them an email; we are going through a tough patch but we also know so is everyone else. Be open and honest with all your suppliers about where things seem to be currently. We are in unprecedented times; we are all trying to survive it and keep paying those bills and buying the essentials. Im sure many suppliers will agree with me when I say that we know couples budgets maybe affect and that decisions will be made about certain elements and aspects of your plans but we all want to make sure you know we are here to give you 100% of our help, advice and support to ensure you get as close to your ‘pin perfect day’ as is possible. Youll probably end up loving that day more so.
One final note that ive said previously on my blog and recently on my instagram; remember…how amazing will it be to have a day to look forward to, for you and your friends and family where everyone can be together. Celebrate together and dance the night away hand in hand having lived for some time apart…What wonderful memories that will bring.
If anyone has any further questions about planning during lockdown then leave a comment below and ill get back to you as soon as possible.