It is no surprise that the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic has turned the world on its head. Many events have been put on hold as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the health crisis. This uncertainty is especially distressing if you are in the middle of planning a wedding, more so if it is a destination wedding. As of now, the when, where, and how are likely to-be-decided.
However, just because the bulk of your wedding plans are up in the air does not mean you have to abandon the planning process altogether. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when forging ahead with planning your TBD destination wedding:
Budget Accordingly
Because of this growing uncertainty, it is important not to commit to a strict budget. Having a framework for your budget will certainly help to guide your planning process. However, it may be difficult to narrow down exact costs with so many fluid elements. For this reason, you should keep your budget flexible so that you can adjust accordingly depending on what the circumstances dictate. For example, you may need to allocate more costs than anticipated for flights if your wedding ends up taking place during the high season of your destination. Or you may save money on flights if airfare drops as a result of the pandemic, freeing up more money to spend on your catering.
Sending the Invites
Since you probably do not have a confirmed date or location for your wedding, sending invitations is out of the question. With that said, it is a good idea to let your friends and family know the date and location of the wedding as soon as possible. Consider online wedding invitations as a way to get the word out once your plans become finalized. That way you are not waiting weeks for invitations to arrive and guests to RSVP by mail. This gives guests more time to make the proper travel arrangements needed to attend.
Have a Backup for Your Backup
Although you may have your heart set on a particular location for your destination wedding, the uncertainties resulting from this pandemic necessitates a backup wedding plan in case the first one does not work out. In fact, it is best to pick at least two backup sites. Having three possible destinations researched and ready to roll will make it more likely that your wedding goes off during the time frame that you expect.
Find a Place with Consistent Weather
Because you are not entirely sure when the big day will happen, it is more important than ever to pick a destination with beautiful weather patterns year-round. For example, do not get your heart set on a beach wedding on Cape Cod if there is a chance your wedding will be be held in December. Instead, consider a destination in Southern California and other regions where the weather is consistently pleasant throughout the year.
Be Prepared to Be Flexible
With so much uncertainty in the world today, it is imperative that you are prepared to be flexible. While it is understandable to want things a certain way on your big day, you need to be ready to roll with the changing situation. Being flexible with your date and location and preparing for a variety of wedding situations will make it more likely that the day happens sooner rather than late. It will also save you less heartache and disappointment if you accept now that things might not be exactly as if you have always envisioned.