Weddings can be Stressful to Plan but What if You Have to Cancel Your Wedding!
There can still be a light at the end of the isle!
If you have found yourself in the position of needing to cancel your wedding, you’re not alone. Sometimes this is within your control, but other times it’s really not in your control at all.
Life has a habit of throwing unexpected curveballs into the mix, and sometimes, your plans change, no matter how meticulously planned they are. It’s a difficult situation to navigate, even (especially) if you happen to be the one who has chosen to cancel your wedding … however there are steps that you can take to make the process as smooth as possible.
So … whether it’s due to an unforeseen weather event, to personal circumstances, or your finances just no longer align with what you wanted, here’s what to do if you find yourself needing to cancel your wedding.
What if You Have to Cancel Your Wedding – 5 Must-Do Steps
What to Do if You Have to Cancel Your Wedding #1
Review your Insurance Policy
Securing Wedding insurance for your ‘big day’ provides coverage in the event of any cancellations or postponements. Some policies offer you a refund for deposits paid to vendors or venue fees, but others may only cover the costs associated with the cancellation.
If you didn’t purchase insurance, don’t panic, it’s a helpful safety net but it’s not the end of the world. There are other things that you can do.
What to Do if You Have to Cancel Your Wedding #2
Talk to Your Venue and Vendors as Soon as You Can
Once you’ve made the decision to cancel, you need to notify your venue and your vendors. If it’s your venue that’s cancelled on you, then you’ll need to either rearrange the date, or speak to your vendors but either way you need to get in touch with everybody involved. Many venues and vendors have cancellation policies, so it’s important to familiarise yourself with their terms. Be polite, direct, and be honest about the situation. Most vendors will try to accommodate you, especially if it’s a change of date.
What to Do if You Have to Cancel Your Wedding #3
Consider a Postponement
If it’s possible, consider postponing instead of cancelling. Postponing can give you more time to work out the details and resolve any issues, and you may not have to lose your vendors or venue. Remember to communicate with all of your guests if you’ve already sent out ‘save the dates’, or include it with the original invitation if you haven’t yet sent them.
What to Do if You Have to Cancel Your Wedding #4
Talk to Your Guests
Once you talk to your venue and your vendors, you need to talk to your guests. If invitations have already gone out, there’s every chance that people have spent money to make sure they can be there for your big day. For close family relatives, a phone call is a must, but you do need to make sure that everybody is informed. People tend to spend money on outfits, travel, accommodation, and gifts so you need to be open and honest as much as possible.
What to Do if You Have to Cancel Your Wedding #5
Look After Yourself
It’s an emotionally taxing experience to cancel a wedding. Make sure that you’re taking care of yourself, whether it’s disappointment or stress that you’re dealing with. Lean on your friends and family, and get a therapist if necessary. Your wedding day or the cancellation of your wedding day is not going to define you, and there is always room for new beginnings.
Photos by Alexander Mass
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