Love Isn't Canceled in the Time of COVID, but...
2020 has been an incredibly difficult year for so many people, not least of all for couples trying to plan their dream wedding in the middle of it. 2021 has brought more of the same worry about keeping ourselves, our family, and our friends safe while we await our turn for the vaccine. I’m feeling optimistic about things turning around this year as the vaccine rollout steps up, but this won’t end overnight.
Understandably, that knowledge leaves many couples wondering whether this will actually be their year to get married, so I wanted to take a minute to talk about my suggestions (and my own policies) for running the COVID wedding gantlet this year.
First, I want to say a huge THANK YOU to my 2020 couples that either chose to postpone their days or dramatically scaled down their days and used masks to ensure everyone’s (including their vendors’!) safety. Thank you for sticking with your vendors, too—we value you!
The most important thing I want my couples to know is that you’re not in this alone.
If you are newly engaged and just starting the process of booking a 2021 or 2022 wedding, don’t wait to reach out to vendors. Because of the high number of rescheduled weddings we’re all accommodating, our open dates have become even more limited than usual, so secure your vendors of choice as soon as possible!
When booking with any vendor be sure to ask them about their COVID policies: Will they offer rescheduling? What happens if the wedding is severely scaled down or canceled altogether? What steps is your vendor taking to ensure yours and your guests safety as well as their own? What happens if your vendor contracts COVID and is unable to be there for your event? Most vendors (myself included) have a non-refundable retainer policy; however, I offer date changes free of charge. So if you find that because of local restrictions or skyrocketing case numbers you are facing postponement, reach out to me immediately, so I can provide you with a list of open dates in the next year and a half.
If you’ve booked a wedding with me and COVID concerns have you wanting to get married in a small elopement ceremony this year and move your big party with friends and family to next year, I’m offering fabulous deals to my couples on elopement add-ons, so just throw me a text and we’ll make a plan! I also offer the Portland Mini collection for those that want to skip the big party altogether and opt to book a small private ceremony.
I have been taking mine and my family’s safety very seriously, practicing social distancing, mask-wearing, and constant hand-washing—I’m doing everything I can to be there on your day, whatever that day ends up looking like for you. If despite all of those measures, in the highly unlikely possibility I contract COVID and cannot personally be there with you on your day, I have a network of amazing photographers to reach out to, ensuring you won’t go without images you love from your day.
Finally, the most important thing I want my couples to know is that you’re not in this alone—I’ll be with you every step of the way, and I’ll do what I can to make your photography something you love to look back on no matter how many people end up attending in person!
xoxo