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Many couples have had to face some tough decisions this year, including the need to cancel their wedding. Of course, there are a variety of reasons to call off your big day besides a global pandemic. No matter what the reason may be, canceling your vows is a stressful time, so it’s easy to forget to complete certain tasks as you navigate through the process. Here are seven of the most important things you want to make sure you cross off the to-do list.
1. Call all vendors
Some couples are notifying their venues of their need to cancel, but forgetting to reach out to every contracted vendor to let them know, says Shannon Tarrant of WeddingVenueMap.com. "Each vendor contract is different, including how much notice has to be given before they owe more or lose payments, so it is key to make sure to notify anyone that you have contracted."
2. Read vendor contracts
Before you start making calls, though, be sure to take the time to read all contracts thoroughly. "Understand clearly the terms of outstanding payments owed and what is or is not able to be refunded. There should not be an argument with the company or expectation of them to refund money because of the choice the couple is making. The signed contract clearly outlines each stipulation and they should expect nothing different," explains Tarrant.
3. Notify guests
Communication with your guests is critical via a postcard or email announcement, notes JoAnn Gregoli of Elegant Occasions by JoAnn Gregoli. "Some may have had travel plans that they need to cancel, so be sure to notify them as soon as you can. Hopefully, during these challenging times, they had travel insurance."
4. Deactivate the wedding website
"A minor detail, but an important one would be to deactivate the wedding website to avoid any potential confusion," recommends Kelley Nudo of Momental Designs. "Guests will rely on the wedding website for information, so if the event is no longer happening, update the site or simply remove it."
5. Reach out to the bridal salon
If you have to cancel your wedding and you haven't yet received your wedding dress, reach out to the bridal salon/company and see if it's possible to get a refund, suggests Jamie Chang of Passport to Joy. "Depending on your contract and where they are in the process of making it, you might be able to cancel the order and either receive your deposit back in full or partially or not be liable for the full amount," she says.
6. Figure out what to do about gifts
If you're planning to elope or have a much smaller wedding, then you can simply send thank you notes for any gifts you have already received. However, if you're not planning to get married at all, then any wedding gifts should be returned to guests.
7. Cancel other wedding-related events
Don't forget about the ancillary events, like Rehearsal Dinner, Welcome Reception, Brunch, etc. Those plans will need to be adjusted or canceled as well, says Kaleigh Northrup of Kay Northrup Events.
