Wedding Cancellation: What's Next?

Cancelling a wedding can be a stressful and emotional time for couples, and it's a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. There are many factors to consider, including the potential financial impact, the impact on guests, and the possibility of alternative arrangements.

Firstly, it's important to review your contracts with vendors and understand the financial implications of cancelling. Some deposits and payments may be non-refundable, and there could be additional costs associated with postponing the wedding. It's also crucial to communicate with your vendors and try to work out a solution together. They are also facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic and may be willing to carry over deposits or offer alternative dates.

Secondly, consider the impact on your guests, especially those who have already made travel arrangements or accommodations. It's essential to notify them of any changes as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience.

Finally, explore alternative options before deciding to cancel entirely. You could consider hosting a small wedding with a limited guest list, having a virtual wedding, or postponing the wedding party while still getting married on the original date.

Remember, it's important to weigh your options carefully and make a decision that aligns with your priorities and values.

Communicating with guests

Even if you don't have a new date for your wedding, it's important to notify your guests as soon as you decide to cancel or postpone. This will allow them to cancel any travel or accommodation plans and avoid unnecessary costs. You can do this by email, phone, or text, and it's a good idea to keep the lines of communication open as your plans develop.

Once you have a new date, be sure to notify your guests, but be prepared for a smaller guest list. Some guests may no longer be able to attend due to the financial or health impact of the pandemic on their lives. It's a good idea to check in with each guest and be sensitive and compassionate about their circumstances before sending out invitations.

If you're keeping your original guest list, it's a good idea to maintain contact with your guests, especially if your plans are still subject to change. This will help manage their expectations and ensure they feel included in the process.

For those who are rescheduling, it's worth considering the impact on guests with pre-existing plans. While it may not be possible to find a date that suits everyone, trying to avoid significant clashes will help ensure your guest list remains as close to your original vision as possible.

Finally, it's important to be understanding if guests decide to decline your invitation, even at the last minute. These are uncertain times, and guests may need to change their plans due to health concerns or financial constraints.

Remember, your guests want to share your special day and will be understanding of any changes you need to make. By keeping them informed and involved, you can ensure they feel valued and excited about your wedding, whenever it may be.

Cancelling the honeymoon

Cancelling your honeymoon is never ideal, but sometimes it is necessary. Here are some steps to take to ensure you don't lose more money than necessary:

If You Have a Travel Agent

If you booked your honeymoon through a travel agent, they will be able to handle most of the cancellation process for you, provided that you have travel insurance. Give them a call and let them know what's going on. They will be able to help you navigate the process and liaise with the various companies you have bookings with.

If You Have Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can be a lifesaver when it comes to cancelling your honeymoon. Check your policy's requirements for cancellation and clarification on the terms to understand how much you can expect to be reimbursed. If you booked your insurance before January 2020, you may be covered due to the coronavirus pandemic. A "cancel for any reason" plan (CFAR) will also enable you to recoup most of your losses.

Cancel Your Hotel Reservation

Hotel reservations are usually the easiest to cancel without incurring a penalty, as long as you didn't opt for a non-refundable rate and you cancel in time. Go online or call the hotel's customer service line and have your confirmation number ready.

Cancel Your Airline Reservation

Airline reservations can be tricky to cancel, especially if you've purchased low-fare tickets. However, due to the recent coronavirus outbreak, many airlines are waiving change and cancellation fees. Check your airline's website for information on travel waivers. If you need to cancel, be prepared to spend some time on hold. Keep in mind that "death of the passenger, immediate family member, or travelling companion" are considered extenuating circumstances that may entitle you to a refund.

Cancel Your Car Rental Reservation

Don't forget to cancel your car rental reservation! If you're unable to do so on the rental company's website, give them a call. Due to COVID-19, companies like Enterprise and Alamo are offering free cancellations.

Cancel Admission and Tour Tickets

Other aspects of your trip, such as admission tickets and tours, may be more difficult to cancel. Unfortunately, some tickets, like those for Broadway shows, are non-refundable. However, you may be able to recoup some of the costs by reselling the tickets or donating them to a charity and claiming a tax deduction.

Join Loyalty Programs

If you haven't already, consider joining the frequent traveller clubs for your airline and hotel. This identifies you as a loyal customer and may result in preferential treatment or expedited handling of your cancellation requests.

Keep Track of Everything

Know in advance whether you want to cancel or postpone your trip. Keep track of all the calls you make and write down the names of the people you speak to. Ask for a cancellation number each time and keep an eye on your credit card charges. It may take a few weeks for your refund to show up, so be sure to follow up if you notice any unexpected charges.

Remember, it's important to stay calm and level-headed during this process. Cancelling your honeymoon is never fun, but by taking these steps, you can minimise the financial impact and look forward to planning your trip for a later date.

Postponing the party

If you're postponing your wedding, you'll need to let your guests know as soon as possible, particularly if they have travel plans. Send out a digital announcement, and if you've already sent out invitations, there's no need to send out a whole new set—a digital invite in the same style will do. If you don't have a new date yet, you can still let your guests know about the postponement, and share the new date once it's confirmed.

The next step is to contact your vendors. If you have a wedding planner, they should negotiate new terms for you. If not, you'll have to work with each vendor individually. The sooner you do this, the sooner you'll be able to reschedule with minimal costs. Be kind and remember that your vendors are also struggling financially. They will probably be eager to keep your business and your deposit, and charge little to nothing extra for changing the date.

When figuring out a new date, consider the most important vendors you want to keep. Pick your top three priorities, whether that's sentiment or money. These are the people you want to talk to first, and try to get them all to the same new date. Then work on the other vendors to see what else can be moved.

Be prepared for additional costs when postponing. While your vendors will try to be flexible, it's not always possible to do that at the same cost. For example, if you're moving from one season to another, your flowers will be different, and your vendors' fees may change based on the season. There may also be exchange fees, especially if your vendors have already spent money on your event.

If you're postponing your wedding, don't forget to also postpone your honeymoon. As with wedding postponement policies, your ability to recoup any expenses will depend on the type of tickets and reservations you made.

Budgeting and making changes

Make a List and Understand the Costs

Start by listing all the people and places you've made payments to, along with the amounts. Then, review your contracts to identify any non-refundable deposits or full payments that you won't be able to recoup. Calculate the total cost of cancelling your wedding.

Consider Your Options

Think about whether it's better to reschedule, resize, or reimagine your wedding plans within your budget. You might opt to host a small wedding with only the closest friends and family, or even a virtual wedding.

Contact Your Vendors

Get in touch with your vendors as soon as possible to discuss options for rescheduling or cancelling. They may be more flexible and willing to work with you to find a solution, especially if you approach them with kindness and understanding. Remember that they are also facing financial challenges during this time.

Communicate with Your Guests

Keep your guests informed about any changes. Let them know about the cancellation or postponement as soon as you decide, even if you don't have a new date yet. Be sensitive to the fact that some guests may have been financially or otherwise affected by the pandemic and may not be able to attend.

Understand Refund Policies

Review the contract language with each vendor to understand their policies on refunds and cancellations. While some vendors may introduce more flexible policies due to the pandemic, deposits and retainers are typically non-refundable. Remember that vendors have also invested time and resources into booking and planning your event.

Keep the Ceremony, Postpone the Party

If you're set on getting married on your original date, consider having an intimate ceremony with just the two of you or a small group of loved ones. You can always postpone the larger celebration to a later date when it's safer to gather.

Remember to work as a team with your partner throughout this process. Communicate openly about your feelings, priorities, and financial situation. Use this experience to start budgeting together and make sure you're on the same page financially, both for the wedding and your regular life.

Checking insurance coverage

If you have to cancel your wedding, your first call should be to your insurance company to explore what your policy covers and what it means for your vendor relationships. It's important to check your insurance coverage as soon as possible, as it can help protect your investment in the wedding. Wedding insurance is a special type of event insurance that covers various mishaps, such as venues closing, vendors not showing up, extreme weather, damaged gifts, sickness or injury, and more. It can also provide optional liability and liquor liability coverage to protect your interests in the event of property damage at the event.

When checking your insurance coverage, it's important to understand what your policy includes and excludes. For example, standard wedding insurance may cover special attire, jewellery, gifts, additional expenses, cancellation or postponement due to specific reasons, wedding photos and videos, and lost security deposits. On the other hand, it's important to note that wedding insurance may not cover cancellations or postponements due to known infectious diseases like COVID-19. Therefore, carefully review your policy to understand what is and isn't covered.

The cost of wedding insurance varies, but it typically starts at $160 with no deductible. When checking your insurance coverage, it's also essential to consider the financial implications of cancelling or postponing your wedding. There may be additional costs associated with changing the date or venue, and some vendors may charge fees for changes or cancellations. Understanding the financial implications will help you make informed decisions about your next steps.

If you don't have wedding insurance, consider getting it for your new wedding date. Wedding insurance can provide peace of mind and protect your investment in your special day. Speak to an independent insurance agent to understand your options and choose a policy that best suits your needs.

Frequently asked questions