With all of the destruction that Hurricane Helene just left behind, it’s necessary to reflect and offer advice on navigating Weddings in the midst of Natural Disasters. As a Florida based Wedding Photographer for the last 12 years, I have experience with running a business during Hurricane season.
Weddings almost never go as planned, here’s how to handle your Wedding Planning in the midst of a Natural Disaster.
If you had a Wedding Planned in or around Asheville or Greenville or anywhere impacted by a Natural Disaster, Catastrophe or even another pandemic in the next few months, here is my advice on how to move forward with Wedding planning.
- Take a deep breath. Acknowledge that your Wedding is probably the last thing on anyones mind. Grieve. Sit with all of your emotions. Journal or vent to a friend. All of your feelings are valid. You are allowed to feel grief for your dream Wedding and for the community that has been impacted.
- Wait a week or two before you reach out to your Wedding Venue and Vendors. If the disaster was catastrophic they probably will not have access to email or cell service so be patient while waiting for a reply.
- Check your Wedding Insurance policy for details. Call and make a claim if your Wedding is cancelled or needing to be postponed. This is where you’ll get your deposits back if you are cancelling.
- Check your contracts. Read all of the fine print and understand how the vendors will move forward during the unthinkable. Knowing all of the cancellation policies for each of your vendors is so important.
- Don’t react rashly. Sit on the email before you respond. Emotions are always high during emergency situations and sitting for 24 hours is a great way to ensure your thoughts are clear and you are communicating kindly.
- Lean on your Planner. Seek their expertise on best ways to move forward.
- Be flexible. If your dream Wedding venue or city has been wiped off the map, you’ll either need to pivot to a new date or an entire new city. If I have learned anything working in the Wedding Industry it is to bend, pivot and expect the unexpected.
- Remember that your Wedding Vendors are on your side. They want you to get your dream Wedding.
When you are ready to pick up and begin the Wedding Planning process again just remember that although your Wedding Vendors are running businesses, they are also humans. They deserve empathy, respect and kindness especially during times of catastrophe.
Tiny House Photo is a Florida Wedding Photographer with a decades of experience in Natural Disasters, Hurricanes and Weddings.
