***this blog post has been edited with updated information***

Our inboxes, literally, are still being flooded with emails about Covid-19-related issues. From venues and businesses going out of business, supply and demand issues, and inflation are just a few things that everyone is still navigating.

We’re not going to pretend like that just because events are back and happening just as they were before that things are peachy. If you are reading this, it’s probably likely you’re considering getting married perhaps next year, or the year after, but you’re likely asking yourself

“How do I navigate all of these issues that are known and how do I protect myself from being blind-sighted by future problems”

Truth is, unfortunately, things do happen. We’re living at a time when things we would have never fathomed are happening.

We know this is a hard & uncertain time for many couples today and understand that they are experiencing the most emotional and anxious times of their lives. 

While we don’t have the “perfect advice” that will suffice well at this time, what we can provide, and have always provided for our clients and couples is a plan. And we know a plan will help you navigate your way through difficult circumstances.

Here are 5 ways we can help you navigate your future wedding planning if there is ever panic or a pandemic.

1. We’re Accessible

2. Remain level headed

3. Wedding insurance

4. Reconsider your wedding date

5. We’re in this together.

We’re Accessible

At H&B we are accessible regardless of where you’re located. Whether you’re one of our local Pittsburgh couples or your destination bride halfway around the world. We provide the details you need when you need them with the peace of mind to move forward. We are even here to chat with couples and vendors that we are not contracted with. Couple advocacy and community are our top priorities.

Remain level headed

While the past few years have been scary and challenging, we know that it is easy to go into panic mode and try to remain calm and level-headed. If you have a wedding planner you are in great shape and ahead of the game. Your wedding planner is likely panicking behind the scenes to figure out how to best advise you moving forward. If your wedding day is coming up soon (within the next couple of months) your wedding planner is already crafting a plan of action that will best fit your individual situation. Your planner has already or is working on collaborating with your vendors and as well as your venue to see what insight they can provide during this time.  

We get it! You’re already deep into planning, and don’t have the bandwidth to explain your wedding vision to another person. Don’t let this hold you back from collaborating with a wedding planner it’s not too far-fetched as far as budget is concerned. Costs will occur naturally when disaster strikes, so if you’re going to trench through the mud, you may as well have an experienced planner with you to help you make the best decision that works for you.

Wedding Insurance

Weddings are expensive, so it can be disastrous if you have to cancel or reschedule for any reason, including COVID-19. At this point, any claims related to COVID-19 will not be covered since as it is a pre-existing condition. It is still essiental to have general liability insurance. Find a reputable wedding insurance company so a representative can go over what is covered and what is not covered for your future wedding. Your wedding insurance company will also be able to provide you action items and instructions on how to proceed with moving forward with items such as filing an insurance claim and how long the process will take should an unfortunate circumstance arise. For couples that opt-ed out of wedding insurance, it is still a good time to go ahead and get wedding insurance. 

Stay flex with your “set” wedding date

Being flexible with your wedding date is almost a must to assemble the dream wedding team. We know that it is hard to imagine; however, a lot of venues and vendors are still working with couples that had to postpone. To top that couples that are not yet formally engaged are booking their venues and vendors so they don’t risk not having their dream team vendors.

We’re in this together

We are as sick of this phrase as you are. It is over used and most people that say it are saying it just to say it. H&B are genuinely in this with you. Be patient and kind with your wedding vendors. They are navigating their personal lives while keeping a smile on their face while they are interacting with you. There is a lot of mess going on behind the scenes that your vendors are trying to shield you from.

We hope these points gave you inspiration on how to navigate through your future wedding plans, whether you’re engaged or soon to be engaged.