It should be best to consider postponing the wedding if you have the option to do so, says Sanna Vohra.
The Coronavirus outbreak has sent ripples through the wedding industry.
From vendors, wedding planners and venues to guests, relatives, and couples there is a thick layer of caution and concern among everyone involved.
While it is best to avoid large public gatherings and restrict travel, soon-to-be brides and grooms are facing tough choices.
Considering the scenario, soon to be married couples and their families should keep a few things in mind.
Here are some tips to effectively decide what can be the next steps in this situation:
1. Understand the state directives
Considering the current situation when section 144 has been implied in Maharashtra, the government has restricted any gathering that involves more than four to five people in public spaces, including weddings.
It should be best to consider postponing the wedding if you have the option to do so.
Keep an eye out for the directives and advisory from state and Government officials and exercise extra caution to avoid last-minute cancellations and hassle.
2. Talk to your partner and family
It is important that your partner and your families are on the same page when it comes to making decisions.
Before you cancel or postpone, it is best to plan how you are going to get things done.
This will help you have clarity and avoid confusion.
3. Communicate with your planner
Have an honest conversation with your planner or vendor while rescheduling or canceling the wedding.
A lot of vendors and venues will be flexible and co-operate.
In case you have planned in advance and want to postpone to a few months later, tell the vendors about it and assure them that you will use them in the future so that there is not much money lost in that perspective. They are surely going to keep the advance but you can move it to a more suitable date later.
4. Keep your guests updated
There may be several guests who have planned to travel for your wedding.
If you were planning a destination wedding, there definitely would be a little loss of money.
The best you can do is keep them updated with your recent plans.
This will keep things organised and aligned with your real-time decision.
5. Comply and do what is good and best for everyone
Indian weddings are not a small affair. We have relatives and guests from all age groups.
Comply and do what is good for society.
There will be a lot of senior people and newly born attending the wedding. Consider their best interests too.
If you can postpone decisions for three months, it will be best for all of you.
It is extremely important to wait and watch and take decisions according to the situation while adhering to official guidelines.
Sanna Vohra is CEO and founder of The Wedding Brigade. She can be contacted on ga@rediff-inc.com.
