CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) AND YOUR WEDDING DAY
Firstly, please don’t worry
I completely appreciate it’s a challenging time for everyone, and especially if you’re trying to accommodate changes to your working life, your home life and now the plans for your big day, but believe me it’s a stressful time for everyone and we’re in this together.
I have been overwhelmed by not only the support from my individual bride and grooms who have not only got in touch to postpone their wedding, but simply to send messages of support and the strength of community throughout the wedding industry has really shone through at this time.
We don’t know what the future holds, things are changing and evolving daily, and I wanted to send something to all my couples to put your mind at ease regarding your wedding day and my commitment to it.
Will you still be able to photograph my wedding?
Try stopping me!!!
I know that seems easy to say and I don’t own a crystal ball and can look into the future, but whether this year, or next (see my note about postponements below) I will absolutely aim to be there. We’ve chosen each other and I wouldn’t miss it for the world! And can you imagine the party we are going to have?!!
But what happens if you start showing symptoms, or get sick with Coronavirus, Venetia?!
So being self-employed I’ve always been risk-adverse when it comes to putting myself in physical danger, so from the “get-go” I’ve pretty much self-isolated, and will continue to do so, following the government rules to ensure I’m at the least risk of catching it.
That said, there is a risk, as with us all, that we could, so as with any illness, if I start to show any symptoms, or test positive for COVID-19, I have a bunch of other fabulous photographer friends, who would step in for me and capture your big day.
Do you think my wedding will go ahead?
As I said before, I don’t own a crystal ball and I think at this time one of the hardest bits is that no-one knows what the future will hold for any of us.
I am part of several industry bodies and groups, including those that are specifically for Coronavirus issues, and the general consensus seems to be that anyone getting married in the next 90 days should seriously think about a postponement.
Will I be able to postpone my wedding with you?
The simple answer is, yes, of course - you are able to move your wedding to any date that I have available. I have had all of my April, May and beginning of June weddings postpone already, and I have been able to accommodate all of their requested new dates.
As postponements started coming in, I’ve had to try and work out the best approach to ensure I can accommodate this change, but also to ensure I will be in business to photograph your wedding should you wish to move it.
As a wedding photographer I only take on a set number of weddings, commercial work and portraiture sessions, to ensure I can focus 100% on each of those bookings, whilst giving me enough income to financially survive the year and to ensure I remain fresh for every wedding.
Postponements within the current year are a little easier to accommodate, but if a wedding is moved to a date next year it not only means a loss of income this year (should the balance be deferred to next year) but it fills a date I would likely have booked with a new couple at my 2021 rate. This means I essentially lose income I need to survive, so whilst I am 100% committed to accommodating you moving your wedding, I have had to put some steps in place to ensure I am still in business to shoot your wedding for the new date.
What does that mean for me?
Here are the options available to you:
Postpone to a date in the same year
Your postponement is absolutely free of charge.
Your balance is due as per your original booking, i.e. two weeks before the original date of your wedding.
Postpone to a weekday date in the following year (Mon – Thurs, except where it is a Bank Holiday)
You would be required to pay 50% of your balance as per your original booking.
The remaining 50% two weeks prior to the date of your postponed wedding.
Postpone to a weekend date in the following year (Fri – Sun, including any days on a bank holiday)
A small increase of 5% of the overall total of your Collection (which is equivalent to half my 2021 rates) will be applied, and split over the two balance payments.
You would be required to pay 50% of your balance as per your original booking.
The remaining 50% two weeks prior to the date of your postponed wedding.
Why is there a small charge to postpone until 2021?
Anyone who knows me well knows that I find the money thing very difficult and would honestly love to accommodate everyone’s postponement for free. However if I did this I wouldn’t be in business next year to shoot them.
The issue photographers have is that you can only shoot one wedding per day and therefore if we are moving a large proportion of weddings from this year to next, we not only have no income in this year, but also limit our income for next year.
I am a full-time photographer with no other income and if I didn’t have any of my wedding income coming in this year, and had to block out many dates next year, at lower prices than I would have forecasted for, and would affect me financially to the point where I may have to close the business. I really don’t want to leave you in a position this year or next where you’ve booked me, paid a booking fee, and then have no photographer to photograph your wedding.
Please know I wouldn’t be implementing this policy were it not 100% essential to keep my business around long enough to shoot your wedding.
Wedding insurance
Most of my couples take out wedding insurance and I’m sure you have too, right?!
If you have, I urge you to speak to them as soon as possible, just make sure you know exactly where you stand with regards to your policy, any cancellations, additional fees etc. Of all the couples that I have postponed, they have all had wedding insurance that covers them for this eventuality, including covering the next years price increases that many of us in the industry are having to apply. They should hopefully offer you some great news in amongst all this upheaval!
The “word on the wedding industry street” is that insurance companies are, as you can imagine, under huge strain right now and that some may fold, so I would get your claim in as soon as possible to ensure your best chance of getting it settled. I also understand that insurers are not currently offering new wedding insurance policies.
If you need me to supply anything to help you make your claim, from a full invoice, to an email, or a letter on headed paper, do let me know and I’ll do everything I can to help.
How long will the ban go on for and what if it is still in place by my wedding date?
As I said I don’t have a crystal ball, but wedding industry experts are suggesting that we talk to all brides due to have their weddings in the next 90 day about postponement.
If the ban is still in place though, the good news is that I am able to postpone your date in this circumstance to any date that I have available.
This all feels like such hard work, are there any positives?!
Plenty! Here’s just a few to keep you going during some tough decision-making times:
I am still beyond excited about capturing your big day for you, whether it’s on your original wedding date, or a new postponed one. Seeing the two of you say “I do”, meeting your family and friends and capturing all those fabulous moments; the hugs, the laughter, the celebration, will be both a joy and an honour irrespective of the date!
Imagine what a party we’re going to have?! When this has all died down, and the dreaded C-word is just a part of history (and a very sad one at that) imagine how sweet that moment, is going to feel - it’s going to be a massive ray of sunshine!
Weddings are the most joyous occasion and when we come out of this, we are going to need as many of those as we can get!
We are rocking some fabulous new technologies that we knew about, but never really used to full capacity at this time. From video conferencing to messaging services, I for one am enjoying connecting in a different way with those I know and love. Anyone tried a virtual dinner party yet?! It’s so much fun!
The environment is seeing some great benefits from this change we have had enforced on us.
We are not alone in our upset, difficulties or stress. So much of our world has been turned upside down, and knowing that everyone is in this together “one for all, and all for one” certainly offers me great comfort.
I’m sure, just like I am finding, you will be seeing around you everyday the kindness and strength of people and their capacity to come together and support each other at times of crisis. When all this is finished, the thing we will remember, is how we treated each other.
I will continue to follow the industry groups, keeping my ear close to the ground for any changes I think might be helpful or useful for you at this time, and will update you as and when I have further information. In the meantime, if you have any questions or need any further information on anything at all, please just pick up the phone.
Much love,
Venetia xx
P.S. This is what we’re going to be like when we finally make it through
