Weddings and COVID19 Action Plan
Table of contents
How I will help
Coronavirus tips and advice
Coronavirus FAQ for wedding clients
The beginning of the new decade took an unexpected turn. Suddenly the world energy changed, and all the media is filled with news of COVID-19. So much information, sometimes so apocalyptic, that it makes even a yogi om shanti shanti like me feel nervous. I can't imagine what the couples that are planning a wedding must be feeling under such uncertainty.
As a small business owner, I am also worry to think about how the coronavirus will affect me. But I know I will be fine. There are different positions and attitudes to assume, and I want to join the part that elevates good energy and not panic. I want to nurture trust and not fear, and I want to be able to help calm your future minds so you have something less to worry about right now. That is why I propose an action plan.
My goal is to be understanding, flexible, easy to deal with during this chaos. The most important values of my business are honesty, transparency and respect. Your health and well-being are my absolute priority.
I am keeping up to date with all WHO recommendations and their travel advisories, as well as the updates and recommendations from provincial and federal government to be aware of how the virus is impacting Quebec and Canada. I am also keeping a close eye on my own health to make sure I don’t contract the virus or spread it.
How I will help
-I will be even MORE flexible with you about cancelations and postponements than it states in my contracts. I’ve gone into this in detail below. There are many unknowns right now due to COVID-19, and I want to help make photography one less stressful thing to worry about.
-I will wash my hands thoroughly before every wedding/photoshoot and avoiding touching my face during sessions.
-I won’t shake your hand or hug you when we meet. We can awkwardly wave, haha.
-I will not touch you, and I will keep a 5 ft distance if possible during sessions unless you request a specific shot that requires me to get closer. I will choose lenses that let me stay a little further away.
-Although masks are only useful for people that is infected or think might be infected, If you want, I can wear a mask during sessions/weddings. Please let me know if you’d prefer this.
-I frequently carpool with people during the sessions; if you want, I am happy to take a taxi separately at no extra cost to minimize contact.
-I will give you the option to Skype or facetime instead of meet over drinks/dinner in person.
-I will be honest with you about my own health and my travel schedule.
-I will minimize my personal exposure to large events, sick people, and crowded places as much as possible. I am a house worm anyways ^.^
Coronavirus tips and advice
-Don’t panic! We’ll get through this!
-Wash your hands more frequently, for 20+ seconds. Keep sanitizer at hand. And don’t touch your face.
-Be honest with others about your health and travel. Be honest with yourself. Now is not the time to pretend like you are healthy if you are feeling off. Stay home. Reschedule stuff.
-If you are getting married and have event insurance, check to see if your insurance covers anything impacted by the Coronavirus. A lot of insurance companies are sneaky and they will NOT cover stuff. It’s good to know in advance!
-If you are getting married, keep your guests posted about ways you can help them! Post on your wedding website about the virus situation in the wedding location, and tell sick guests to PLEASE stay home. Tell people what precautions you will be taking as their wedding host. Keep them updated with travel plans. Communication goes a long way. Use your wedding website as a tool!
-Include creative COVID-19 precautions during your wedding. Cute hand sanitizers, hand-washing-stations, masks, or gloves for dancing. Maybe rent an extra-large dance floor, so people don’t have to be so close together. Space tables out more. Find ways to be extra hygienic and make people feel safe.
-Get creative about ways to include people who can’t be there. Worried that your grandparents or immunocompromized guests can’t make it? Find a way to live stream your ceremony and as much of the wedding as possible, so they can watch from afar. Or hire a videographer to capture the day for them to see later.
-Communicate with vendors as much as possible if you are considering postponing your event. The worst thing is to cancel last minute! Most of our businesses will take a huge hit this year from the virus, so preparing for slower cash flow is essential. We are trying our best to help clients, but you can help us too by being super candid about everything!
-Be open to having a smaller wedding than you originally anticipated. It could be really special! I love photographing elopements, and I’d be happy to help you plan one instead of a bigger event.
-Remember, we are all in this together. We are all a little scared. We are all getting hit economically and worried about loved ones getting sick. Be kind. Be understanding. It will go a long way!
Coronavirus FAQ for wedding clients
Postponing your wedding due to Coronavirus
I completely understand that you may need to delay your event due to travel restrictions, quarantines, fear for the health of family members, or being sick yourself. If you decide to postpone your wedding to a new date, your deposit will transfer over, as long as I’m not already booked on the new date. Please reach out to me if you need to change dates so that I can accommodate you! I’m here to help.
If you move your wedding to a date I am not available, I will give you back 50% of your deposit, and I will also help you find a new photographer. If I can re-book your original date, I will refund the rest of your deposit.
Canceling your wedding due to Coronavirus
Don’t want to postpone your wedding and need to flat-out cancel due to the virus? I understand. Here are two options:
-Cancel it, and I can give you back 50% of your deposit. If I can re-book your original date, I will refund the rest of your deposit.
-OR, elope! You can have an intimate elopement somewhere in nature, away from the virus and others. You can keep your original date or change it to a new one that I have available, and we’ll transfer the deposit to the new date. We can adjust the package you already booked and create a new timeline. You can invite a smaller number of guests (or none!). I’ve photographed many elopements over the years, and I’m happy to help make suggestions, come up with locations, and guide you through creating a day that is still incredibly special.
What happens if I get sick before your wedding
If I feel sick (cough, fever, body aches) before your wedding, I will inform you as soon as possible and ask how you would like to proceed. I vow to be honest with you about my own health so that you can make an educated decision about your event. Here are three options:
-If you still want me to document the event, I will wash my hands frequently, wear a mask, use hand sanitizer hourly, and avoid physical contact with guests. We can discuss exactly what would make you feel the most comfortable.
-If you want me to stay home, I will secure a talented associate replacement photographer to photograph the event in my place. I will still edit all your photos myself in my editing style. I will also give you a 10% discount off your total package to compensate for having a different photographer on the day of.
-If you want to find another photographer by yourself, I will refund you in full, minus any engagement sessions or work already rendered. I can also help you find a replacement photographer if you need one.
What happens if I get quarantined before your wedding and cannot photograph it
If, for some reason I am quarantined (in the Canada or abroad), and unable to photograph your wedding, I will contact you immediately. I will give you two options:
-I can secure an associate replacement photographer to photograph the event in my place. I will still edit all your photos myself in my editing style. I will also give you a 10% discount off your total package to compensate for having a different photographer on the day of.
-OR, If you just want to work with another photographer, I will refund you in full, minus any engagement sessions or work already rendered. I can also help you find a replacement photographer if you need one.
What if I have traveled recently before your wedding?
I will be open and honest with you about my travel itinerary. If you are uncomfortable with my recent travel, let’s chat and work something out! Here are three options:
-If you still want me to document the event, I will wash my hands frequently, wear a mask, use hand sanitizer hourly, and avoid physical contact with guests. We can discuss exactly what would make you feel the most comfortable.
-If you want me to stay home, I will secure a talented associate replacement photographer to photograph the event in my place. I will still edit all your photos myself in my editing style. I will also give you a 10% discount off your total package to compensate for having a different photographer on the day of.
-If you want to find another photographer by yourself, I will refund you in full, minus any engagement sessions or work already rendered. I can also help you find a replacement photographer if you need one.
Resources
World Health Organization
Quebec Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Government of Canada COVID-19
Katy Weaver blog
Contact me
If you have any other questions, please reach out and ask! I am here to help.