A wedding cancellation or postponement means a change of plans for many people, including family, guests, and of course, vendors. For this reason, people need to approach canceling or postponing their wedding with that mindset, especially in this time of crisis, with social isolation and necessary distancing.

Here comes the question - what it means to cancel or postpone a wedding and how to navigate the process? Well, here is a simple guide that will help every bride-to-be nail it.

Stay Informed

According to Aleah Valley of Valley & Company Events, couples that don’t have a planner must stay-up-to-date with the latest news – but be sure not to let yourself get overwhelmed with every single news article.

Check With Your Insurance

Couple talking with an insurance agent — A Guide to Wedding Insurance, Postponements, and Cancellations

Jove Meyer of Jove Meyer Events in New York City advises couples to first call their insurance company to explore what their policy covers and what it means for their vendor relationships.

Consult a Professional

If the need to cancel or postpone a wedding occurs, couples should consult with their wedding planners first, or if they don’t have a planner, they need to ask their caterers or vendors for advice.

Understand the Financials

Wedding Rings Cash — A Guide to Wedding Insurance, Postponements, and Cancellations

The following measures should be taken to clearly understand the financial burden of postponing (or canceling) a wedding.

Read the Fine Print. Couples need to reexamine all the contracts they have with their vendors. They need to check the vendor’s cancellation policy to see if they have missed something that allows them to receive the money back outside of what’s refundable. In force majeure cases like quarantine and social isolation, for example, what the clause covers really depends on the wording of the contract. If there are any questions, it is always best to seek help from a lawyer.

Plan for Additional Costs. While Meyer and Kendall (a photographer based in Washington State) say vendors are doing their best to work with couples changing their plans due to recent events, it's not always possible to do that at the same cost. Couples should be mindful of the additional work and time when they make a change. It is good to keep in mind that vendors are happy to do the requested changes, but they should be compensated in some way, depending on the change or changes.