May wedding - caronavirus

[Dramalamaindeed]

Anyone else worried?

I have about 10 guests flying from various parts of the world - none of which are the high risk areas but who knows what 2 months will bring?

Then I’m worried we can’t have the wedding as no mass gatherings could be banned/ we could be sick.

I haven’t taken out insurance but thinking of doing it now but will they even cover it?

didnt want really feel for you and everyone else.
Had a thought - you could aune look forward (literally not emotionally just yet !) to instead of ‘renewal of vows’ something like ‘delayed reception’ sometime later.

It needs a much better label.

And obvs with money lost now for many it may well need to be slightly less ‘full on’.

In fact slightly conflicted about posting as I am not fond of the wedding industry generally and fear they may see the opportunity to create yet another ‘thing’.
Anyway wine sounds good

Support all.

@Frazzlerock. I've no idea if things will be ok by October but we are hoping so. If things are still the same but the registrar will still come out we will just get married with witnesses and postpone the reception until next year. It's all such a mess. Sigh 😞

We're the end of May abroad and just don't know what to do! I'll be gutted if we postpone and then it ends up ok (unlikely I know). Feel terrible for everyone who's booked flights and accommodation. Tried my wedding dress on for the first time today and just cried! I have a fitting booked soon and thinking I'm best cancelling before I pay out even more money?! Aahh so sad

We've decided to cancel. We have too many people, including me and DP's mum, with conditions on the list. If we continued then people wouldn't want to be there anyway.

I'm currently on the phone to our insurer. I've been in a queue for over 20 minutes and I'm expecting to still be in the queue by the time they close at 8 but I'll give it a go.

Let us know how you get on with the insurer @SeasonallySnowyPeasant and who is your insurer?
Our wedding is still going ahead on Friday it is now just going to be a lot smaller than originally planned. But all of my suppliers including the venue have been amazing. And the lady who is doing my hair is 8 months pregnant! They have all said they will be there if they are well enough! Part of me feels guilty getting married when we are all being told to stay in doors but I really feel I have no other choice. We will lose thousands and thousands if we cancel I'm also paranoid I am going to come down with symptoms any day!

I think we're going to cancel... But we risk losing thousands.

I feel so sick. Some people are telling us to go ahead. Some are saying not. Fiancé's parents are so upset that they can't come...

I hope you got through, @SeasonallySnowyPeasant.

I stayed on hold for nearly an hour, gave up and put the DC to bed instead. We’re with WeddingPlan Insurance. The lady I spoke to last week was lovely.

We've done it and cancelled. 2 days before the 8 week no refund cancellation period begins. They are still trying to make us pay, but legally we aren't breaking and if the rules in the contract. Fuck, this is a lot of take.
I'm so sad, I feel numb.
I'm trying to write a note to all our guests to explain but I just don't know what to say. It all sounds a bit pathetic.

Just a quick note to everyone on here who is worried because their insurance doesn't cover them or they don't have any.

If you paid on credit card, you may be able to claim money back via Section 75 laws.

If you have paid a deposit by debit or cash, it is worth paying the balance by credit card. You will then be able to claim the whole lot back on your credit card via Section 75.

Worth planning and thinking about switching to credit cards for payments on wedding related stuff now, in case of a ban.

Thankfully, we have been really lucky. All of our wedding suppliers have agreed to postpone at no extra charge, And we have less than 4 weeks to go so its very short notice! Is this unusual?
Mind you, the place we were going to for brunch for my Hen do on 28th are being pricks and refusing to give deposits back. I'm going to wait until they are forced to close then ask for refund - they will have to then. They are bloody expensive so it's not like they will be out of pocket if we get our deposits back. If they were a small independent I wouldn't.

I'm sorry if this sounds like boasting but I'm amazed people are having such trouble with their suppliers

We've been trying to get through to our venue. It's going to be such a pain if we have to reschedule. But so many people have said they're not coming now and my bridesmaid is abroad and my fiance's sister is too!

Ours is supposed to be 2/5/2020 :(

Lyricallie that was our wedding date too not sure if that helps or not.
I feel your pain x

We’ve managed to reschedule for September. The venue and the vendors have been superb. I haven’t asked anyone for money back but they’ve almost all said unprompted that’s they’ll carry over the payment to the new date. The photographers can’t do the new date but my first choice photographers can, do that’s a bonus. The band are struggling so I’ve told them to keep the money and I’ll sort it out with the insurers.

I finally got through to the insurers today after over 2 hours on hold and they sent me over a claims form. The underwriters are making a decision on people self-isolating on a case-by-case basis.

Update for our wedding on Friday. The registrar called me today to say that we were only allowed 6 guests to attend our ceremony. We contacted the venue who seemed to be fuming with the registrar and they have offered for us to postpone which we have decided is for the best. So no wedding on Friday for us I know it's for the best but it's still heartbreaking. I can't believe this is happening to the world. It's totally surreal.

I am so sorry to hear that - my heart breaks for your. As you’ve heard I get married in June and I’m unsure what to do. Any advice would be appreciated. I’ve emailed the venue to see if they will move the date if required. Awaiting a response

Ours has been all but cancelled... same restrictions as @rumandbiscuits. They've said that it's an order from the General Registry Office of the UK. Ours was May 17th...

I'm sorry, Rum. That's really rough.

I have a humanist for May 8th.

The venue is saying it’s perfectly fine to go ahead. Do you think I need to speak to my humanist?

Have you seen the church of England have now said no more than 5 guests.
We're going on lock down as of tomorrow. A venue who is saying to go ahead is being very naïve.
Sorry but it's highly unlikely any wedding will happen for months. If you can reschedule then you have something to look forward to x

Dramalamaindeed yes! They should be extremely understanding. If not then that's very shocking. Good luck x

We've managed to rearrange for September I just hope this shit show is over by then!! The venue and all of our supplier have been amazing, all but one anyway!! We have been unable to rebook the lady who was going to decorate our venue for us as she is unavailable for the new date so I have asked if she can refund our money (£500) she is refusing because we have cancelled within the 4 weeks leading up to the wedding! She said she has already loaded the van with our 'props' (candles etc). I have replied and said I am happy to pay her for the work she has already done but given she hasn't actually had to drive to the venue and set up etc would we be able to at least have a fraction of our money back given the horrific circumstances we have found ourselves in!!! She hasn't replied yet! Do you guys think I am being unreasonable asking for some money back?
We have also had to pay £500 for the food that the venue had already ordered. I'm guessing our insurers won't be able to help us with any of these costs!

Big hugs for everyone. As I posted earlier, we managed to postpone our wedding to October for no extra cost. Most of our suppliers also rescheduled for no extra cost and the only person that couldn't manage was the photographer however she managed to find an alternative. We didn't seek a refund from her so thats all we've been out of pocket and we never had insurance either so have been so lucky. Most places are being very reasonable so please don't give up!

rumandbiscuits great news.
We've spoken to our venue today and hoping to reschedule for Oct/Nov . Venue was amazing!
We decided that we had to come to some date even though no one knows what will happen. I couldn't bear to wait any longer and hope by then we are back to some normality.

I think your supplier is being very unreasonable and unprofessional. This was exactly like my make up girl. Completely short sighted and ruthless.
Have a look at a post a few pages back about the contract Act of 1943. It's worth firing off a letter to her and also mention her reputation. You maybe able to reach a settlement
I suggest you raise a query with citizen advice.

Yes you will be covered under your insurance as long as it covers rescheduling.
We will incur costs such as the ridiculous make up artist who we've lost money too so our insurance should pay up.
We are going to speak with them on Monday.

Our venue called on Wednesday and said we can try and go ahead but offered a postponement date to November. All suppliers can do this date, waiting on photographer. We have decided to take the postponement as it’s just too risky. Registrar doesn’t have a a lot available to the same time unfortunately 😫

I think my daughter has decided it’s less stressful to keep hanging on than to make a decision so is scaling back to a tiny wedding and maybe (dependent on situation) just a BBQ in the garden.
The vicar is OK about a few extra immediate family in church so likely about twenty of us, unless it goes to full lockdown. Everything else pulled. She’s strangely accepting of it but disappointed, obviously.
They just think they’ll have no planning time and be exhausted by summer so maybe get insurance and save some for a huge first anniversary party.
They have honeymoon booked for this country as they are due to go abroad for a year - but that’s not going to happen now, I suspect.
She feels quite strongly it would be wrong to go ahead with a big affair (even if possible) given the huge difficulties many will be facing.
I suspect she’s wiser than me; I was sort of clinging on to things settling down a bit by then but understand the not knowing is harder to deal with.

I just want my day cancelled, refunded and a small wedding but my insurance sent me this -

What if half my guests can’t come due to travel bans? – no cover as excluded under d. i. above (government regulation or act.)

What if I’m put in quarantine/self-isolation during the time of the wedding as a preventative measure? – There is no cover in place for preventative self-isolation against COVID 19. If you have been tested and formally diagnosed that you have the virus there maybe cover in place and you should contact the claims handlers to discuss your situation.

i don’t think this is fair as they cover an outbreak of infectious disease

What if my relatives are put into quarantine/self-isolation as a preventative measure and so cannot attend? – There is no cover in place for preventative self-isolation against COVID 19. If you have been tested and formally diagnosed that you have the virus there maybe cover in place and you should contact the claims handlers to discuss your situation.

What if other wedding service suppliers pull out or decide not to attend due to their own fears/ procedures? – There may be cover available under section 1 Cancellation see clause d however this will depend on the circumstances surrounding that service supplier.

What if I have outstanding payments to make towards the cost of my wedding? - At point of claim any costs paid will be considered in line with the cover provided under the policy – we are unable to provide guidance to all hypothetical situations unfortunately as there are too many variables that may affect the outcome of any claim, which services have been cancelled, whether there are options for rearrangement, the reason for cancellation, proximity to wedding date.

Again please act as if uninsured and keep receipts. In the unfortunate event you have to amend your wedding plans please contact the claims handlers.