Crafting The Perfect Wedding Postponement Letter: A Guide To Graceful Communication

Writing a wedding postponement letter is never easy, but sometimes it's unavoidable. It's important to notify your guests as soon as possible, especially if your wedding is fast approaching. The best way to do this is to send an email or group text to your guests, or even a message on social media. You can also update your wedding website with the new details. If your wedding is far off, you can send out formal stationery with an explanation and a new date.

Your letter should include a few important details: the announcement that you are postponing your wedding, the new date, and where guests can find more information. While you don't need to explain why you're postponing, you can include this if you want to.

Explain the situation

Explaining the situation to your guests is an important part of postponing a wedding. While you don't need to go into great detail, it's a good idea to give a brief explanation, especially if your wedding is coming up soon. This will allow your guests to cancel any plans they had made, such as travel or accommodation. Here are some things to consider when explaining the situation:

Be timely: Share the news as soon as you know the date will be changed. This will give your guests time to adjust their plans and ensure they can still celebrate with you on the new date.

Keep it simple: You don't need to over-explain the situation. A simple explanation will suffice, such as "unforeseen circumstances", "unanticipated damage from a recent storm", or "an illness in the family". Your closest friends and family will already be in the loop, and your other guests don't need all the details.

Be considerate: Remember that your guests may have already made travel arrangements or taken time off work. Offer support where you can and provide them with any information that could help them with cancellations or rescheduling. For example, if you are able to negotiate any cancellation or reimbursement for hotel room blocks, let your guests know how they can go about getting their money back.

Use a template: If you're not sure what to say, you can use a template as a starting point. For example: "We regret to inform you that the wedding of [bride's name] to [groom's name] will not take place as scheduled on [original date] due to [reason for postponement]. Please save the new date of [new date]. Formal invitation to follow."

Keep it positive: While postponing your wedding can be disappointing, try to keep the tone of your message positive. For example, you could say something like, "We're still utterly in love, but we're waiting to celebrate. Stay tuned for more news soon!"

In summary, when explaining the situation to your guests, be timely, concise, and considerate. Offer support where you can, and remember that your guests will understand and will be happy to celebrate with you when the time is right.

Choose the right delivery method

There are several ways to go about sharing the news of your wedding postponement. The most important thing is to let your guests know as soon as possible, especially if your wedding date is less than two months away. Here are some delivery methods you can consider:

• Email: Sending an email to your entire guest list is a quick and efficient way to reach everyone at once. You can also include more detailed information about the postponement and any new plans you have in the works. If you like, you can ask your wedding party to give them a call to check they got the email and to find out if they plan to attend the new date.
• Group Texts/Chats: If the thought of sending one big email is overwhelming, you can break it down into smaller groups via text or chat. This could be friend groups, relatives, etc.
• Social Media: Using platforms like Facebook and Instagram, especially the "Close Friends" feature, is a good way to limit the message to your followers who are on your guest list.
• Printed Cards: For a more traditional approach, you can send out "Change-the-Date" cards by mail. These cards should match the look and feel of your original save-the-date or invitation and include the new date and any other relevant information. If you choose this option, it's best to wait for the cards to be sent before following up with guests.
• Wedding Website: Adding a message to your wedding website is a good first step, especially if you don't have a new date yet. You can keep guests informed as you nail down new details and logistics.

Remember, it's completely okay to postpone your wedding, and your friends and family will happily wait until the time is right. Choose the delivery method that works best for you, and don't be afraid to ask for help from your wedding party or family if needed.

Potentially offer a new date

If you have a new date in mind, it is important to let your guests know as soon as possible. You can do this by sending an email to your entire guest list, and then asking your wedding party to contact each guest personally to confirm they received the email and to find out if they plan to attend.

If you have a new date, it is also a good idea to send out "change-the-date" cards. These are similar to save-the-date cards, but announce your new wedding date. They should include the new date and location, and can also include your wedding website so that guests know where to find the most current information about your big day.

"Please save the new date: [date]. We hope that you will still be able to join us!"

"The wedding of [name] and [name] has been postponed. Their big day has been moved to [date] so they hope you can still join them to celebrate."

"We regret to inform you that the wedding of [names] will not take place as scheduled due to [reason]. Please save the new date of [date]. Formal invitation to follow."

If you are resending invitations, you can include wording such as:

"The marriage of Ms. Rachel Garcia and Mr. Joseph Craig Daniels, which was postponed, will now take place on [date] at [time] at [location]."

Remember, it is completely okay to postpone your wedding, whatever the reason. Do what is best for you and your partner, and lean on your loved ones for support.

Work with your stationer

If you're sending out formal invitations, work with the wedding stationery vendor you had previously chosen to do your original save-the-dates and wedding invitations. Supporting local businesses is important, especially during challenging times like a pandemic.

You can also order change-the-date cards from a site like Minted. If you're looking to save some money, you can try DIY-ing your own change-the-dates or wedding invitations. There are plenty of online tutorials to guide you through the process.

If you're postponing your wedding because of a situation beyond your control, like a natural disaster or a family emergency, it's important to keep calm and not panic. Remember, it's out of your control, and everything will be okay. Focus on the end goal: you'll be marrying your partner, surrounded by your family and friends.

> Dear Friends and Family:

>

> We have made the difficult decision to postpone our wedding [due to ... if you are giving a reason.] We will keep you updated regarding our wedding details. We are looking forward to celebrating together.

>

> Love,

> [Couple Names]

If you're postponing your wedding with less than two months to go, emails, group texts, and social media are the quickest ways to spread the news. You can also update your wedding website with the new date, location, and any other information your guests may need, such as travel details or local COVID-19 regulations.

If your new date is several months to a year away, you can reprint save-the-date cards and wedding invitations based on your timeframe and budget.

Ask for help

Asking for help is a great idea when it comes to postponing your wedding. It can be an overwhelming and stressful time, so it's important to lean on your support network and delegate tasks where possible. Here are some ways to ask for help when writing and sharing your wedding postponement letter:

• Delegate letter writing to a close friend or family member: If you're feeling overwhelmed, consider asking a close friend or family member to help write and send out the postponement letters. They can assist in drafting the letter, gathering contact information, and sending out the announcements. This can be especially helpful if you're short on time or dealing with other pressing issues.
• Seek emotional support: Postponing a wedding can be an emotional decision. Don't hesitate to reach out to your loved ones, including your partner, family, and friends, for emotional support. They can provide a listening ear, offer comfort, and help you process any difficult emotions you may be experiencing.
• Collaborate with your partner: Work together with your partner to craft the letter. Two heads are better than one, and you can divide the tasks involved. One of you can focus on drafting the letter, while the other gathers guest contact information and finalises the details. This collaborative approach will make the process more manageable.
• Involve your wedding party: Your wedding party, including bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other participants, can be a great source of support. Ask them to help spread the news by personally contacting guests to confirm they received the postponement announcement and to find out if they plan to attend the new date. They can also provide emotional support and assist with any other wedding-related tasks.
• Utilise digital tools: Take advantage of digital tools and platforms to streamline the process. For example, you can use email, social media, or wedding websites to quickly reach a large number of guests. Tools like Canva or Adobe Spark can also help you design digital postponement cards or announcements.
• Seek professional assistance: If you're working with a wedding planner or coordinator, they can be a valuable resource. They may have experience in handling similar situations and can provide guidance on the best way to communicate postponements to your guests. They may also have templates or suggestions for wording your letters.

Remember, it's perfectly normal to ask for help during this time. Your loved ones and wedding team will likely be more than happy to support you in any way they can.

Frequently asked questions