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Just Said Yes November 2021

Help with potential wedding cancellation

Kaitlyn, on May 4, 2020 at 9:55 PM Posted in Community Conversations 0 10

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As of right now, my wedding is scheduled for Nov. 6th 2021. Now I know a lot of people of thinking, that’s really far off, you have nothing to worry about. Or at least that is exactly what my venue told me when I tried to talk to them about coming up with a possible plan B “just in case”. Now, coming from an ER nurse activity working the front lines of Covid-19 and working closely with infectious disease physicians.... you could say I know a lot more than most. With that being said, there is still a decent chance that this virus will be around come next year and large gatherings will not be allowed. I tried to discuss with my venue (who I’ve already booked and started making payments on) about a back up plan just in case this happens. Both myself and my father have been blown off and told it’s not really a concern because of how far away my wedding date is. Our biggest concern is spending large amounts of money for a potential 100+ guest list and then being restricted to only 10 people. All of our concerns have continued to be blown off. So thus my confidence in this venue is fading. We’ve been offered the option to out right cancel and get our money back, but then would basically have to start from square one and most likely end up spending more money due to venues increasing their prices because of current wedding cancellations. I’m also looking into wedding insurance but fear it won’t help us at all either. So any medical people running into the same issues? Or any one have some advice?

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10 Comments

Latest activity by Thai, on May 25, 2020 at 8:24 PM

Dedicated April 2022
Chris · on May 4, 2020 at 10:23 PM
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I can understand from the venues point of view that they are focusing on couples who are cancelling in the upcoming months/remainder of the year. I don’t think it would make sense for them to cancel events 18 months out. I mean if you think about it, what venue can go that long without making money? If it’s true that events won’t be happening come the end of 2021 all of these venues would be closed for good and your venue wouldn’t exist anymore. I think they’ll allow events just maybe not very large ones. They do have you locked in a contract so speaking to a lawyer may be the best thing.
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Devoted July 2021
Jeni · on May 4, 2020 at 10:25 PM
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I know you're coming from the science and reality side, but no business is going to entertain the idea of making a Plan B for an event that is 18 months away. With businesses struggling right now, it doesn't make financial sense for them to do that.

Just take a look at your contracts and make sure you're clear about and comfortable with the terms. Wedding insurance purchased after February of this year will not cover COVID. If you're not comfortable with the date you selected, hold off on having a wedding until you feel it's safe. Your venue is very kind to offer you a full refund if you cancel now; most others would keep your deposit. I doubt you will find another venue that would accomodate your requests at this time.
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Just Said Yes November 2021
Kaitlyn · on May 4, 2020 at 10:29 PM
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Thank you for your input! I also agree in terms at looking at the venues point of view. I can only imagine the stress of current weddings needing to be cancelled. My only issue is the venue not willing to discuss a plan B regardless of how far out we are. I suppose it’s the piece of mind. We were offered our money back if we cancel, which is something I really don’t want to do. I’m just at a loss on if moving forward is the best financial decision if I signed a contract stating “up to 100 guests” but then per the government I’m only allowed “10-20 guests” therefore it’s ridiculous to pay the 100 guests fee. We’ve been trying to discuss this as a possibility just in case, that way the venue still gets money, but they refuse to do so due to the date. So it’s the worry of “I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t”.
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Just Said Yes November 2021
Kaitlyn · on May 4, 2020 at 10:33 PM
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I appreciate your thoughts! Honestly, I think hearing a more positive side of things is what I need right now instead of all of the negativity. I definitely see both sides of wanting a plan B but also not being able to offer one due to the time frame.
My question is, what would be an appropriate move if let’s say I’m 6th months out and we are still restricted on large gatherings. Does wedding insurance cover postponing or does this still fall under covid 19?
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Super August 2020
Anna · on May 4, 2020 at 10:47 PM
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Im going to be frank here- Im not sure what you are expecting from your venue. I think they are being generous offering you a full refund if you cancel now. My wedding is in 3 months and our venue still hasnt given us backup options because no one (including health care workers) know exactly how this will shake out over the next few months let alone over a year. I think if its a stressor for you already that you would be better off cancelling and then rebooking once things have calmed down and we all know more.
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Devoted July 2021
Jeni · on May 4, 2020 at 11:23 PM
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I believe it would, but you'll have to read the fine print before purchasing the insurance.

It might be a good sign that your venue already offered you a refund. It could mean that they'll be more willing to work with you later. On the other hand, they coulf say you had a chance to leave but you didn't. Before making a decision, look into your insurance questions and feel out other venues. As long as you're polite, you should be able to ask, "what is your policy on rescheduling/downsizing if the pandemic continues into 2021." They may not have a policy yet, but you'll at least get a feel on how each venue is looking at the future.
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VIP September 2020
Willow · on May 5, 2020 at 2:22 AM
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I am a major planner, but I don't think you need to book a venue this early on.

If you're concerned about your wedding being severely restricted, I'd get your money back. Find a "blank slate" venue that doesn't require you to spend a minimum. Make a Plan B on your own, and find a venue where you could hold Plan A and B.
Your venue isn't your planner. Unless the venue offers an all inclusive package with food and beverage minimums, I don't see how a venue could help that much with your Plan B anyway.
I agree the venue offering a full refund is very unusual and generous.
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WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
Lynnie · on May 6, 2020 at 4:54 PM
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Hi Kaitlyn! I definitely understand your worries and concerns, but it's really hard for anyone to even know what future will look like right now - even for the next two months!
I know it's tough but I can understand why your venue is having difficulty even talking about Plan Bs for late 2021 weddings because everything is so unknown! Plus they're probably operating a skeleton staff right now, and focused on figuring out new plans first for spring & summer 2020 weddings.
How closely tied is your contract and venue payments tied to the number of guests? For example I just needed to meet a food & beverage minimum spend with my venue (didn't matter how many guests) - if I had needed to reduce my guest list down to 10 people then I would have made sure that it was the most insanely luxurious meal for 10 people ever! It sounds like it would be ideal if you could commit to a minimum required spend for a smaller celebration (20-30 guests) so that if you could only have 10 people you wouldn't loose too much money, but you could also increase your guest list and spend if deemed safe closer to your wedding date!
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Savvy May 2021
Allison · on May 16, 2020 at 11:25 PM
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I think by November of 2021, if we don't have a vaccine, we will have a rapid action autonomous test that makes it easy for guests to get tested before attending a large gathering.

I am May of 2021 and currently thinking about what to do. My plan so far--
I am sticking with my current venue and writing out two guests lists (one with the full list of 'everyone' which is about 150 and the other being the list that makes social distancing possible, which is 50 but might shrink down to 30) and explain to folks that if it's not safe to invite everyone, then most guests will be asked to attend via 'video link' or can opt into attending virtually on the save the date or whatever.

I'm thinking about having tape box marks on the dance floor so that each person can dance six feet apart inside the little taped box or with their partner.

Food is my biggest worry though, since it's such an easy way to transmit the germs via used plates and cutlery. Plus I want people to keep their face masks on and food discourages that. So we're trying to figure out if we should just offer folks a boxed meal to go, stagger eating times, or just not provide food.
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Just Said Yes November 2020
Thai · on May 25, 2020 at 8:24 PM
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You’re lucky to have the option to get your money back. I just cancelled my wedding and end up not getting a penny back and my wedding is in Oct.
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