01 Dec Pandemic Wedding Planning

Pandemic Wedding Planning: Will You Get Your Booking Fee Back?

Despite what we may have hoped, 2021 is set to be another year of uncertainty. Currently, weddings are only allowed in “exceptional circumstances”, but once the lockdown is relaxed it’s expected that they will be allowed to continue under the tier system.

Of course, for many couples that will mean that previously-made plans may have to change, whether that’s delaying your date, or opting for a smaller celebration. And while some of the larger companies may be able to offer no-quibble refunds, most elements of your wedding will likely have non-refundable booking fees. So, what do you need to know?

Non-Refundable Booking Fee? Here’s Why…

The majority of soon-to-be brides and grooms want a unique wedding that represents their tastes. Instead of buying something generic off the shelf, you choose to buy your wedding cake from a reputable local artisan, your dress from a boutique dressmaker and a photographer who can capture moments in the style you love.

What do these things have in common? Each is likely to be a small, self-employed creative who lives and breathes for their art – that’s what sets them apart, and that’s just one element of what makes your day so incredibly special.

Unfortunately, these are also the businesses which are hardest hit by the pandemic. With bills to pay and families to feed, being self-employed is more challenging than ever, and those booking fees may make the difference between staying afloat and going under.

This isn’t to say that you need to sacrifice your money for the greater good. Instead, on behalf of small businesses everywhere, we simply ask you to see the bigger picture.

Don’t Let Covid Ruin Your Wedding Plans

We understand that it isn’t your fault that Covid-19 has derailed your wedding plans. No one could have anticipated the events of 2020, or that the aftermath would continue into 2021. With that in mind, you’ll find that most businesses are willing to do whatever they can to help get you back on track.

Before contacting the businesses involved in your wedding plans, it’s worth taking a moment to check over your contract. In the excitement of wedding planning, the contract often doesn’t get the full attention it deserves, so familiarise yourself with what you’ve agreed to and go from there.

If your contract states that your deposit is non-refundable, most businesses will still be happy to offer you one of the following solutions:

Move the booking fee to a new date.If your new date will be a smaller affair, you may also be given the option to choose a more suitable package, whether that’s a smaller cake or different photography package.

Swap to an alternative service.Are you putting your wedding plans on hold? Use your cake deposit to treat yourself to an epic birthday cake, your salon deposit on a new style, or your photography booking fee to fund that family photoshoot you’ve been meaning to arrange.

The most important thing you can do when re-planning your wedding is to look for the positives, and remember that we’re all going through these difficult times together.

Be flexible, be understanding, be kind.

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Essex, get in touch today for an initial consultation.