For many, the focus on weddings during the global pandemic has been due to cancellations or postponements of their big day. However, if you’d recently got engaged before lockdown hit or if you’ve even got engaged during it, there’s a lot to navigate in terms of whether you should or how to proceed with starting to make plans for your big day. Here are our top tips on how you can start planning your wedding even in the midst of a pandemic.
Get organised
Did you know that the average UK wedding takes over 200 hours to plan? So, if you’re stuck at home, now could be the perfect time to get stuck in! You might not be ready to take the plunge yet with the current circumstances, however there’s lots of things you could be thinking about from what type of ceremony is right for you to producing a wedding venue checklist to keep you on track. Both of which we’ve produced blogs on previously if you want some help and guidance.
You might think it’s too soon to be planning a 2022, or 2023 wedding, but you’d be surprised how much in advance venues and suppliers take bookings. With so many postponements across the country, venues and suppliers will be booked more in advance than ever, so if you’re not that far ahead into your planning journey we suggest you begin enquiring with potential wedding professionals. Lots are currently offering virtual viewings or consultations too.
Invitations & Save The Dates
Now we know everything is very much up in the air at the moment, but the basic rule of thumb is to send your save the dates six to nine months before the wedding followed by the formal invitation around three months prior. However, if you’re planning for a destination wedding, it is advised to send save the dates as early as 12 months in advance to give people as much notice as possible.
As with all wedding plans, when you decide to send them is very much down to personal choice. We may be being optimistic here but sending your save the dates for 2022 this year could be just the thing that your guests need to look forward to.
If you’re not ready to send them just yet, there’s no harm in planning them in advance. Getting the styling, wording and paper choices just right can be just as exciting and gives your guests a hint at what they can expect from your wedding day!
Start virtually shopping for your dress!
It may not be quite the same as visiting lots of bridal boutiques to try on their many beautiful dresses, but under the circumstance many bridal shops have introduced virtual consultations to showcase the dresses you may have had your eye on. Some are even offering to send out samples for try-ons, for a small refundable cost if terms and conditions of the try-on are met.
Many bridal shops will advise you to start looking for your dream wedding dress with at least 12 months to go. This is due to timings such as time from order to make your dress which is usually around 5 -6 months, with there also being some current delays due to the pandemic and shortage of fabrics, staff and postage issues. You will also need to allow for alterations to be made which can take between 6 – 8 weeks depending on the level of work involved. Remember to give yourself plenty of time to ensure your dress is the one.
Pinterest & Instagram
Whether you’re at the start or in the depths of your planning journey, time searching through Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration never gets old. Whether it’s envisioning your colour palettes or looking, looking for table decoration inspiration or quirky tweaks you can make to put a personal spin on your day, you’re sure to find what you’re after and more within the social media wedding communities.
Insurance, contracts and small print!
For some this will already be top of your list, whereas for others this may be brand new news, but taking out wedding insurance will protect you financially in the event of a cancelled or postponed wedding. Regardless of the size of your wedding, this one cost will be worth it to make sure your big day is covered if the worst comes to worse. Some are currently not providing insurance for certain circumstances and lots offer differing levels of coverage but it’s worth doing your research.
If you’re proceeding with making bookings, ensure you have a copy of every written contract, invoice and receipt on file and also read the small print when it comes to conditions on payment terms and also any COVID19 clauses. Luckily many venues and suppliers are already factoring this into their contracts and offering postponements and cancellations at no extra cost if your big day is affected by it.
We want to personally reassure you of the future for weddings at this difficult time. We are very confident that Hyde Bank Farm will be making many more new memories this year. We would like to say to those couples who have had to move their wedding date with us, a big thank you and rest assured we will do all we can to help, advise and make sure you have a special day.
To new couples considering Hyde Bank Farm for your wedding venue, we can’t wait to meet you. We have a wonderful team, and trust us it takes teamwork to run a wedding from the kitchen staff to front of house!