Adjusting The Timeline: Navigating Wedding Date Change Announcements

Planning a wedding is stressful enough, but having to postpone your big day and announce a new date can be one of the hardest things to do. It's important to inform your guests as soon as possible, and there are a few ways to go about it. If your wedding date is less than two months away, emails, group texts, and social media are the quickest ways to spread the word. You can also update your wedding website with the new date, location, and other details. If your new date is several months to a year out, you can reprint save-the-date cards and wedding invitations. Another option is to send a 'change-the-date' card, which announces your new wedding date, time, and place. This can be done formally or informally, depending on your style and the situation. Whatever method you choose, it's crucial to stay positive and remember that your wedding day will be worth the wait!

'Change the Date' Cards

Change-the-date cards are a great way to inform your wedding guests about a new date and location for your wedding. This option is ideal if you have already sent out invitations and have several months before the new wedding date. This gives you enough time to alert your guests in a formal way with proper stationery.

• Match the Style: Ensure that your change-the-date cards reflect the same style and tone as your original wedding invitations. This could be formal or informal, depending on the nature of your wedding. For example, if you sent out bright and tropical save-the-date cards, maintain a similar aesthetic for consistency.
• Wording Ideas: There are various ways to word your change-the-date cards, depending on your preference and situation. Here are some examples:
• "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have postponed our wedding and look forward to celebrating with you on our new wedding date."
• "Please mark your calendars with our new wedding date. We're excited and can't wait to celebrate!"
• "We changed our date and can't wait to celebrate!"
• "In light of current events, we have decided to postpone our wedding. We hope your dancing shoes can wait a little longer for our new date: [new date]."
• "Our wedding has been postponed, so we hope you can join us for take two on [new date]."
• Include Necessary Details: Your change-the-date cards should include essential information such as the new wedding date and location. You may also include your wedding website, where guests can find more detailed information and updates.
• Digital Alternatives: If you prefer a more efficient and cost-effective approach, consider sending digital change-the-date cards via email or text. This option is particularly useful if your new wedding date is fast approaching, or if you need to make multiple changes due to unforeseen circumstances.

Remember, it's completely okay to postpone your wedding, and your guests will understand the need for it, especially during uncertain times. The most important thing is to communicate any changes as soon as possible and provide clear information about the new date and other relevant details.

Digital Announcements

Email and/or Text

If your wedding date is fast approaching, sending an email and/or text is a good way to quickly notify your guests. This method is especially useful if you need to inform your guests immediately. You can also follow up with printed cards or invitations later. When sending emails, consider using a platform that notifies you when guests open them, so you know that the information has been received.

Social Media

You can also use social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to spread the word. Using the "Close Friends" feature on these platforms can help you limit the message to only your followers who are on your guest list.

Wedding Website

Updating your wedding website with the new date, location, and any other relevant information is another important step. This can include details about travelling to the new venue, local COVID-19 regulations, and hotel accommodations.

Online Change-the-Date Cards

Online "change-the-date" cards can be sent instantly and are more special than a big email chain. They are also cost-effective and can be easily resent with new information if the date changes again. These cards can be designed to match the look and feel of your original save-the-date or invitation. You can include graphics and event branding to communicate that the change is not due to an alarming matter.

• "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have postponed our wedding and look forward to celebrating with you on our new wedding date."
• "We changed our date and can't wait to celebrate!"
• "In lieu of the situation, we're changing our date so we can celebrate safely."
• "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we decided to elope and we're changing the date of our wedding celebration."
• "Please save the new date: [date]. We hope you will still be able to join us!"

Emails and Group Chats

If your wedding date is less than two months away, emails and group chats are the quickest ways to announce a change of date. You can break these down into smaller groups, such as friends, relatives, etc., if the thought of one large announcement feels overwhelming.

If you're sending an email, you can use a similar format to a formal invitation, including the names of the couple, the new date, the location, and any other details guests may need to know, such as travel or accommodation information. Here is an example:

> Dear [Guest Name],

> We regret to inform you that the wedding of [Couple's Names] will not take place as scheduled on [Original Date]. The wedding has been postponed until [New Date].

> The wedding will now take place at [New Location/Venue].

> Reception and dancing to follow.

> We hope that you will still be able to join us for our special day.

> Kind regards,

> [Your Names]

If you're sending a group chat message, you can keep the format more casual, but still include all the necessary details. Here is an example:

> Hi everyone! We wanted to let you know that due to unforeseen circumstances, we've had to change our wedding date. Our new date is [New Date], and the wedding will be held at [New Location/Venue]. We hope you can still make it and look forward to celebrating with you!

In addition to emails and group chats, you can also use social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to spread the word. You can consider using the "Close Friends" feature on Instagram to limit the message to only your followers who are on your guest list.

Don't forget to update your wedding website as soon as possible with the new date, location, and any other relevant information for your guests.

Social Media Posts

Facebook and Instagram

Use the "Close Friends" feature to limit the message to only your followers who are currently on your guest list.

Instagram

• "We have decided to change our wedding date! Our new date is [date]. We hope you can still join us to celebrate. #NewDate #Wedding #Love"
• "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided to change our wedding date to [date]. We hope you can still join us and look forward to celebrating with you! #NewDateSet #WeddingVibes #LoveWins"
• "A change of plans! We are happy to announce that our wedding date has changed to [date]. We hope you can still join us for the celebration! #ChangeOfPlans #WeddingDate #LoveAndMarriage"
• "A little update! Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will now be getting married on [date]. We hope you can still be a part of our special day! #WeddingUpdate #NewDate #LoveAndCelebration"

Facebook

• "We are happy to announce that we have set a new wedding date! It will now take place on [date]. We hope you can still join us and look forward to celebrating with all of you. #NewDateSet #WeddingVibes #LoveWins"
• "A quick update! Our wedding date has changed to [date]. We hope you can still be a part of our celebration and look forward to seeing you there! #ChangeOfPlans #WeddingPlans #LoveAndMarriage"
• "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided to change our wedding date. The new date is [date]. We hope you can still join us and look forward to celebrating this special day with you all. #NewDate #WeddingPlans #LoveIsintheAir"
• "A little twist in our plans! We are happy to announce that we will now be getting married on [date]. We hope you can still be a part of our celebration and share this special day with us. #NewDate #WeddingVibes #LoveWins"

Wedding Website Updates

Wedding websites are a great way to keep your guests informed about your big day and any changes to the plan. Here are some ideas for wedding website updates when you need to announce a change of date:

Announce the Change of Date

Add a banner or pop-up announcement to the homepage of your wedding website to let guests know about the change of date. This is a great way to ensure that guests see the updated information as soon as they visit the site. Include a personal message such as "We can't wait to celebrate with you, just a little later than expected!" followed by the new date.

Update the Wedding Details

Ensure that the "Wedding Details" section of your website is updated with the new date, time, and location. You may also want to include other details such as the dress code, transportation, and accommodation options. If you are using a website builder like The Knot, you can easily edit this section and add text, photos, and other customisations.

Edit the Wedding Website Wording

In sections such as "Our Story" or "Wedding Party", you can add a note about the change of date. For example, "We were due to get married on [original date], but due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided to postpone to our new date, [new date]!" This will allow you to provide more context for the change and express your excitement about the upcoming celebration.

Update the RSVP and Guest List Tools

If you are using a website platform with guest list management tools, be sure to update the RSVP settings to reflect the new date. This will help you keep track of guest responses and ensure that your guest list is up-to-date.

Include a FAQ Section

Create a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on your website to address any queries that guests may have about the change of date. This could include questions about travel arrangements, accommodation, and any other relevant details.

Send Out an Email Notification

In addition to updating your wedding website, send an email to your guest list to notify them of the change. Include a link to your wedding website in the email, so guests can easily access the updated information and explore the other sections of the site.

Remember, it's important to communicate any changes to your guests as soon as possible, and your wedding website is a great tool to keep everyone informed!

Frequently asked questions