Weddings and events in times of the corona.
Is the wedding or event due to coronavirus still going to take place?
How is a wedding or event today during the corona crisis?
How bizarre is this, did we see this coming?
No not really, or maybe we did?
Sometimes unexpected things can happen in life, and there may be a reason for this, but we really don’t know.
Very hard for those who have, or had the virus.
Be strong and stay healthy!
A very difficult situation for wedding planners and event planners.
How will you deal with this?
Wedding planners care for the bridal couple who are sometimes sorrowful because the wedding is rescheduled or done with a limited group.
Events are cancelled until September or until the end of the year by another restriction cannot continue.
A fairytale that changes. Dilemmas, dilemmas.
We as Nea wedding planner school also receive questions from other wedding planners and event planners.
The tips apply slightly differently for every entrepreneur.
Below we list various things so that you get an overview of what you can do, or what you can respond to if there is a new situation.
What we know so far is;
Events should not be held until September.
Weddings / wedding ceremonies may be held with a maximum of 10 people and a distance of 1.5 meters.
The catering companies are closed for these parties / events.
As of 1 June, 30 people can be together, but at a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from each other.
As of July 1, 100 people are allowed in a room, but at a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from each other.
Weddings abroad are also not possible because every country has its lockdowns.
In addition, it is not possible to fly unless it is necessary.
What now?
First of all: stay calm and make sure you have an alternative step-by-step plan.
What are the subsequent options for the bridal couple or your event?
Put everything on paper, rewrite your emergency plan and write your step-by-step plan, then you can handle the situation better (see wedding planner training and event planner training book 1 page 58 fig.22 rewrite or supplement) Time management is crucial at this time.
RECEIVE BENEFITS AS AN ENTREPRENEUR (star) & ESPECIALLY REMAIN POSITIVE 😉
It is of course very difficult as an entrepreneur to keep your head above water, but this is how it is.
Yes, now is the time to use your communication skills. Especially during this difficult time you can make good use of your opportunities as a wedding planner or event planner.
And come up with creative solutions; they are/will remain extremely important for your company.
Stay visible because we can handle it 😉
Tips for wedding planners and event planners.
1.Event industry:
- As an event manager / event planner, it is extremely important to use your communication skills. Keep in touch with the municipality, your suppliers and your customers.
- Make a summary / step-by-step plan of what can happen and discuss this with your team.
- Then make a checklist, but also your inventory plan for your cost budgets and your loss.How will you deal with this and what can you do.
- A digital team meeting is an important moment. You have various programs such as Zoom, Skype, Microsoft team and much more; which can be used to meet virtually with your team.
- Make sure tasks are distributed and who is ultimately responsible for them. Teamwork is essential.
- Make sure that information about the crisis is provided on your website or from your client and that it is and remains clear. Communicate to your customers where they can call or email, and where they can get information.
- Try as much as possible to make sure your website looks good, put down the measures that you and your company are doing in a clear way. Also about the shortfall in capacity of your company.
Must the customers wait a long time or something else, in which case you may be able to give advice, arrange this by telephone or e-mail. - Communicate to your customers about payments/tickets and whether they get a refund or not, or give a voucher. Be clear about this.
- Also make arrangements with your suppliers about payments if you have financial problems because of the crisis, so that you can make payments in instalments, or arrange something with them that both parties can agree on.
- If you have hired bands, speakers or entertainment, make sure to inform them as well. Obviously ask how they are doing and if it is possible to move them to next year.
- If you have taken out insurance, this crisis is unfortunately not covered.
- Meet with the insurer so that clear agreements are made, also for the future.
- If you employ permanent staff, you simply have to continue to pay them.
Notify them of any extension or not if they don’t have a permanent contract. If you employ staff, let staff know how things are, and try to be as honest and sincere as possible. You can use your staff for marketing videos, to go live on Facebook/Instagram for example, or something similar, so that you can continue with your company.2.Wedding industry: - Your communication skills are extremely important at this time. Your bridal couple, suppliers, and the guests of the bridal couple must be informed of the situation. You are the hub in the spinning wheel.
- Until May 20th, everyone must keep a distance of 1.5 meters. Keep in mind that after June 1 the rules will be relaxed, except for events; the measures there will be maintained until 1st September.
- The bridal couple can have up to 10 people at their wedding ceremony. However, the regulations are very different per municipality. (It is wise to call the municipality about the options, then discuss with the bride and groom.)
- If the bridal couple still wants to get married (only the wedding ceremony with limited guests), the bridal couple can let the guests watch via Zoom / Skype or Microsoft team, so that family members and friends can still watch their wedding.
- If the bridal couple wants to do only the wedding ceremony with the witnesses. You could arrange another ceremony again next year, so that the family can experience this. A good friend with a large garden could be asked to provide a location for the second wedding ceremony. Make sure when you arrange this for them to keep costs low. Keep thinking creatively, very important at this time.
- Sometimes it may be that – you have to reschedule a wedding entirely. Try to arrange with the suppliers that there will be no extra costs, because the bridal couple will be surprised if this happens. That is why, as a wedding planner, you must communicate well with all companies and your negotiation skills will come in handy. Most suppliers will also not charge any additional costs. Discuss any budget increases with the bridal couple.
- A foreign wedding cannot take place, since many countries are in lockdown. Call the embassy of the country concerned about the situation regarding the corona crisis. Email the suppliers and everyone involved there. Once you have all the information, you can get started and arrange for when the wedding will take place. This way you will be able to speak positively with the bride and groom.
- If the bridal couple has taken out wedding insurance, this will not provide cover in the case of the Corona virus.
- How bizarre that is, but nobody counted on this. Discuss what is possible with the insurer. https://www.aonverzekeringen.nl/nl-NL/verzekeringen/bruiloftverzekering
- Suppose the bridal couple are still going ahead with the wedding ceremony, because it cannot be rescheduled. How can you get a wedding dress or wedding suit? The 1.5 meter distance also applies in shops. Have the bridal couple an option to purchase a replacement dress or suit, or perhaps the bride has something pretty in the closet. There is another option, namely to find a beautiful white dress online. If this is what they want, it is important to order as soon as possible, because Post.nl is also affected by the crisis. This will delay the post. Keep that in mind.
- Don’t forget: also look at the bridal couple’s wedding rings.
- Cancel the honeymoon or postpone it to next year.
- As a wedding planner, don’t do nothing and think: okay, I have little or nothing to do. Now you have more time to write a blog, use Instagram more or do Facebook marketing. Come up with something creative or come up with something fun to go live with suppliers, or make a super fun video. Use your expertise! Very important at this time.
Finally
It is an extraordinary and bizarre time, and we hope that with this blog we have created clarity for you to make the right decisions.
Of course there are still more options, but we have shared the most important parts with you. If you would like to know more or need advice from us, you can always do so, because we are happy to help.
If you have any questions, please let us know, on number 0317-358407, Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Or email us at: info@weddingplannerschool.nl