COVID19 Wedding July

I think the problem with weddings at this time is that it is on the border of 'might be able to happen', so your venue is reluctant to postpone because they will want to get as much income as they can as soon as they can.

Everyone's situation is different - all I can suggest is that you sit down with your partner and work out what aspects of your wedding are non negotiable and what parts you are prepared to let go of. Look at what you've paid out already, what you can afford with no income now and what it will cost you to postpone or cancel. I'd also ask the venue for a definite date by which they will let you postpone. Hopefully having all this information will help you work out your options.

Our wedding is June 18th and we're still planning on going ahead if weddings are permitted by then, but we're happy to continue even if it's just the two of us and our two witnesses. If we were wanting to stick to our original plan of 25 guests, I think we would already be looking to postpone. As it is, we just want to get married and anything from our original plan that we can keep will be a bonus.

My wedding would've been Sunday just gone (two days ago - 19th April). So we had to cancel ages ago, unfortunately. We still celebrated the day - I didn't want to mope- so we dressed up, made cake, took photos, and did all our weddingy things in the back garden. Absolutely glorious weather, which was gutting, as it would've been beyond perfect for the wedding - plus there's only a flipping meteor event happening at the mo too, which means lots of shooting stars in the eve! Frustrating!

Anyway - I would probably postpone a July one. We've postponed until 20th September, and as I'm not even certain about that, we've booked a back up date with the venue for 18th April next year. We've booked the registrar for the September date, but not booked the back up date in with them as I'm just hoping the September one will happen. It would be heartbreaking to have to cancel two weddings.

Our Wedding is planned for July 25th, so I totally understand how you are feeling! I don't want to put down any more money for suppliers, we actually haven't sent our invite yet as we finalised the design literally the day we went into lockdown! so decided to hold off printing and have no idea about RSVP's.

Our venue is also refusing to offer postponement yet, insisting we wait for the next announcement (hopefully this weekend). I have also been disappointed, as they refused to hold any of the summer dates next year for postponing couples and have instead filled them entirely with new couples. They have said the only way we can have a summer date next year is if we forfeited our deposit (which was 40%!) and pay it again. Has anyone else found this?

The only thing they have offered is out of season weekdays, but they still expect us to pay the full price for a Saturday in July! not only that, but we won't be able to choose the date, they will offer us one and that is it. They also refuse to 'cancel' so we cannot claim on our insurance and plan for another venue because they are 'offering postponement'. Is this the same for other couples? Our venue has made me feel unreasonable for saying we should be able to pay a lower price for midweek, or be offered a Saturday for postponement.

It is so difficult, as I don't want to put lots of effort into the final push to find it doesn't happen!

@happygolddiamonds10957 have you postponed? What has happened?

I was almost meant to be getting married on 4th July in Portugal and it was actually our venue who contacted us advising we make a plan B option and just last week advised us to definitely postpone for the following year. We weren’t able to get the date we wanted next year but we were flexible and they too.

I feel for these venues because they’re obvious losing a lot of income and clutching at straws. If they’re not willing to postpone for free and you can’t afford to lose the money, you will probably have to press ahead and accept that you can’t have the guests you originally planned. Talk with your partner and see what’s most important to you - perhaps a wedding just the two of you with witnesses is all you need as at the end of the day, the wedding is for you.

@SunnyRedConfetti97788 your wedding venue is being very unreasonable.

If your wedding is not able to go ahead on your original date, I would recommend looking for another venue - it might actually end up cheaper.

Hi hun

Contact your local Trading Standards team immediately. Clear case of profiteering here. I'll bet that in their original literature out of season midweek dates were considerably cheaper than a premium Saturday high season date, so by trying to make you pay the same is clearly illegal.

Stand your ground, point out how much the loss of revenue from you, ( and presumably your cash bar in the evening) would mean to them.

Otherwise, don't be afraid to look elsewhere, lots of reputable venues will be offering amazing deals once restrictions are lifted.

Might also make a good local interest media story - but maybe as a last resort? Keep your chin up, chick!

Sending love from Liverpool

Ali xx

It's Just Really Heartbreaking ?. The Coronavirus outbreak is forcing couples to rethink their weddings. Couples who decide to reschedule their weddings may find it difficult to do so, both for logistic and financial reasons.

Meanwhile, some vendors may be more willing to refund costs in this unusual time than others.