Planning a wedding is hard work. So when something happens that forces you to deal with last-minute changes to your plan, it can be more than a little frustrating. It is admittedly very stressful! But remember, there is no such thing as a “perfect” wedding; you’ll never be able to control every single aspect of how it will unfold.
Even the most organised wedding may encounter a few bumps in the road, especially in situations like the current coronavirus pandemic. Here we have a guide (that we hope you won’t need!) on the most likely, last-minute wedding issues and how to combat them.
Contingency Plan
While it is impossible to cover everything that could go wrong at your wedding, you should try to prepare for as much as possible. This plan should list what could go wrong and how you would handle it in detail. This might sound stressful on its own, but it will be worth it if one of them happens! You should also loop someone else in on the plan, to execute anything you can’t handle while trying to get ready on your wedding day. The potential disasters listed below should all appear on your plan.
Change of Date
Unfortunately, there are some circumstances, such as a family bereavement or the current coronavirus pandemic, that make it necessary to change your wedding date. While this is an absolute worst-case scenario, it might be totally unavoidable. So, make sure you have organised a new date before you begin talking to your guests and suppliers about the change of plan. If the wedding is postponed for the foreseeable, you'll need to inform them of this as soon as you are aware. Be prepared that some might not be able to make a different date. Just do your best to find something that works for as many people as possible. This is also when having wedding insurance comes in useful for covering deposits or cancelling your suppliers.
Change of Venue
Sometimes, in very unfortunate cases, venues have to cancel your wedding for you. They might have an unavoidable emergency, such as burst pipes. However, this does not have to be the end of the world! First, see if the venue has an answer to your problem. A good venue will invite you in for a chat to talk through any problems and what they plan to do about it. They might have another building, know of a nearby place or have an agreement with several other venues in the area. If not, you should check your contract and try to get your money back. The venue is usually willing to refund you if the change is due to an error or accident on their part. Or, you might have insurance that covers it. Either way, you’ll want to have that money back to use on the new location. Once you have a new venue, let your suppliers and guests know as soon as possible.
Supplier Cancellation
A reputable wedding supplier would warn you about an issue as far in advance as possible and work with you to find a solution. It is unlikely that they would completely cancel on you. Many wedding suppliers will be part of a network of some kind and will find someone they know for you. In those cases, there would usually be no additional costs to you as your supplier will deal directly with their replacement. However, if they do completely cancel, go to your contract immediately to find out if you’re entitled to a full refund. In this worst-case scenario, you can alway head to Guides for Brides' late-availability page to find a supplier who is available on your wedding date.
Wedding Party Cancellations
Your wedding party is important to you and you to them. So, they’ll most likely want to be there for you on your special day no matter what. But, sometimes things happen and there isn’t much they can do about it. If your maid of honour or best man has to back out last-minute, see if a relative can step in so you don’t hurt any of your friends’ feelings. And if one of your bridesmaids or groomsmen isn't available, just leave it as it is.
Wedding Guest Cancellations
Nearly every wedding has at least one guest who cancels last-minute. So, the first thing to know is that it's a pretty normal occurrence. For the most important guests, like your parents, you might consider rescheduling. However, when someone has to cancel at the last-minute, there is no need to ruin your special day! Have your caterer pull the place settings for the missing guests and rearrange your seats accordingly.
Weather
Sunshine is, unfortunately, never guaranteed in the UK. However, you should be prepared for most eventualities. Rain in normal quantities is no problem, have brollies on standby and you'll be fine. For more extreme weather, check the weather forecasts and be prepared. If you're expecting inclement weather, ask the venue and your suppliers what their plans are. Create a backup plan in case of unforeseen weather conditions and set aside an emergency fund for unexpected costs.
Wardrobe Malfunctions
Not just brides are victims of rips and tears. Bridesmaids, mothers of the brides, and even grooms can have wardrobe malfunctions. Invest in an emergency kit full of pins and a sewing kit for running repairs. Also, get the bulk of the photographs done before food or drink is served to avoid any unfortunate stains!
Need a new venue or supplier at the last-minute? Check our late availability page to find someone who can step in.