Photo above of Prue and Marty provided by Georgia Verrells
How can we plan for a wedding when we don’t know if, or when, it will actually go ahead? Do we book suppliers and then find we need to postpone again, or worse still, cancel and we’re up sh*t creek? What if they go out of business? All this, and more, I’m sure is whirling around in your head.
Scott and Lara at Terindah Estate a few months ago, BEFORE the rules changed. Photo provided by Lionheart Photography
The world is a very different place from a week ago, even a few weeks ago. Heck, it’s changing so damn quickly, it’s hard to keep up. And I feel for each and every couple who have been dreaming of their big day: the ones who’ve been forced to postpone, the ones who are booked later this year and are wondering if it will go ahead, and even next year’s lovers, will it all be over by then? And, of course, I am anxious for others, colleagues, the wedding industry, and society as a whole. The disappointment, the uncertainty, the fear. We’re all having to face this new world as best we can, but we will do it together.
And, as everyone says, we know this will pass and we will come out the other side. Different, but same. We’ll all go about our lives again, hopefully a little slower and more mindfully. And love will still be there, waiting to be celebrated with our family and friends.
L-R: Photos above provided by Silas Chau, Corey Wright and Elsa Campbell.
But, for now, most of us are self-isolating and finding ourselves with a little more time than before. And, that doesn’t mean that we have to just sit inside, watching the screen, reading books, go outside, walk the dog and all the other things that are fun initially, but pretty soon wear a little thin. I mean, there’s only so much Netflix you can watch, am I right? You may be feeling rather unmotivated about your wedding now it’s not happening as you’d hoped and planned. But, this is the perfect opportunity to invest time into your wedding … researching, planning, reviewing existing plans, compiling a to-do list, whatever … just so you feel as confident as you can, it will happen one day … just not now! So, perhaps set aside some time each week, in your diary, like doing a job, and chip away at it. At least you’ll have something fun to look forward to each week. A bit like bootcamp, ha ha!
I like this idea from Jo Surkitt of Revitalize Lifestyle: “In these unusual and unsettling times, keep things simple. So, to maintain good mental and emotional health, just aim to complete ONE satisfying activity and ONE pleasurable activity each and every day. Anything more can be considered a bonus.” So, the pleasurable activity for you would be planning your wedding and whether you do it daily or weekly, at least it’s something that you can look forward to and hopefully enjoy on a regular basis.
L-R: Photos provided by: Carmen Bunting and Ebony Tannouri.
WILL MY SUPPLIER STILL BE IN BUSINESS?
So, this is a biggie. I can’t speak for others, but, to all new couples, if you’re thinking of engaging me as your celebrant, and, to all my existing couples, yes, I’ll still be in business. This is my full-time gig and, I’m fortunate that being a celebrant, and my own boss, means I can work when and where I want to. I work between September and May and my celebrant biz funds my travel through the other months. If my income drops, I just cut back on the travel. I’ll then be home and available!
But, before you book any vendor, talk to them about their T&Cs. Do they have a refund policy if you, or they, are forced to postpone or cancel? Drop me a line if you want to know mine. It’s always a good idea to be clear before you sign anything.
RESEARCH
I’m sure you’re right across this, but now you’ve got a bit more time, you can scroll through Pinterest boards, Insta feeds and read lots of do’s and don’ts in wedding mags to your heart’s desire, without feeling too guilty lol. You can do research on the type of vendors you may still want to engage. Like, what sort of photography appeals? Moody, fresh, light? Once you’ve decided on the style you like, ask me about local photographers who have that look that you’re after. Which venues allow food-trucks? Are there any local food-trucks and what do they offer? Do you like native flowers or are you thinking of a coloured theme? I can then tag you either in Insta or FB on some locals I think may fit the bill. You can then take it from there. What’s a first-look that people keep talking about? These are all things you now have time to find out and explore. Click here to go to my blog on first-look photography if that’s piqued your interest.
Robbie and Alex had a first-look before their ceremony At the Heads. Photo provided by Louisa Jones.
CEREMONY PLANNING FOR MY EXISTING COUPLES
If you haven’t already, open that email with my Wedding Toolkit, read the instructions and get started. Set aside some time together, crack open a bottle, sit down and get an idea of what your ceremony can look like.
If you haven’t completed and returned your worksheet and questionnaires, do it! Do it now! It doesn’t matter if we have your ceremony completed way ahead of your wedding. We will go back to it, and tweak it if necessary, prior to the big day. But, it will be one job done, ticked off your list, that you won’t have to worry about.
If we’ve already created a first draft of your ceremony, this is a perfect time to sit down and read it through more thoroughly, hopefully have a laugh, make some decisions and get it back to me with any changes required.
If the ceremony is complete and you’ve been forced to postpone, don’t worry. We’ll definitely review it closer to your ceremony to check we’re still happy with it.
Me performing Gemma and Nathan’s ceremony at Jack Rabbit. Photo provided by All My Wednesdays.
CEREMONY PLANNING FOR NEW COUPLES
Get in touch. Have a chat. We can skype, Zoom, FB Video Message, Google Hangout, etc, you get my drift. Where there’s a will, there’s always a way. We can talk about your ideas, your worries, your fears, your hopes for your big day, anything at all. I’m a great listener and I've got heaps of experience to draw on. Whether you’ve booked me or not, I’m approachable and happy to talk, no obligation.
See how friendly and approachable I am lol. Photo provided by Jo Almond.
REAL ACTIONS
Being busy and having a focus can be a great distracter from issues happening around us. For my existing couples, I’d suggest getting a head start on your vows and putting in the time now. Vows are always the last thing to arrive in my inbox so, if you don’t want to rush them, give them a go now.
What do I want to say to the love of my life? This is the perfect opportunity to draft up some words. Get in touch with those feelings, and then revisit them periodically before your big day.
Agree on the ‘feel’ of your vows … talk to your partner … do we want to add in some humour, how long should we make them? You can then both feel comfortable you’ll be preparing something along similar lines.
Check out the Vows document and the Cheat Sheet in my couples’ portal for some inspo. If you’ve forgotten the password, contact me and I’ll re-send it.
If you feel you need help, woohoo, that’s what I’m here for. We’re a partnership! Email, text or call me and we can make a time to chat, one-on-one. I can help and I’m good at it, so use me!
And, check out my blog on writing vows here. It might be just what you need.
Daryl reading his vows to Harriet. Photo provided by Nic Stephens.
You may have felt rituals weren’t for you. Why not do some research now you’ve got the time. Lucy and James incorporated a wine ritual into their ceremony and, on their first anniversary, they contacted me to tell me how glad they were they had included it in their ceremony. They opened the box, re-read their vows whilst enjoying that very special bottle they’d stored on their wedding day. I love hearing those stories! Google ‘wedding rituals’ or check out my Rituals document in my couples’ portal and you might just find something that interests you both.
Photo provided by Pinterest.
Or, if you’ve been thinking of adding a Reading, now’s a good time to check out my blog, To add a Reading or Not? Again, don’t forget to read through the Readings document in my Wedding Toolkit for a huge range of suggestions. It doesn’t have to be long and boring, it can be short and sweet, like Carrie’s Poem from Sex In The City!
Please feel free during this uncertain time to give me a call, a text or a DM. You might just want to touch base, feel reassured, whatever. I’ve got all the time in the world and I’d love to hear from you.
And just remember, when your day finally arrives, you will hug harder, kiss longer, and it will be one helluva celebration, THE.BEST.PARTY.EVER!
Stay safe, stay home!
Photo provided by Wooshka Photobooths.