How to Turn Your 300 Guest Wedding Into an Elopement Without Losing All of Your Deposits

70% of the emails I got this year were about rescheduling or canceling a wedding… So, I’d like to think I know a thing or two about how hectic and stressful it can be completely moving and restructuring a large event.

Here are 3 stress relieving tips on how to cut back your large wedding without canceling it, while keeping most of your deposits and still having a ceremony.​

1. The hardest deposit to work with will be for your venue. They are under a lot of pressure for large events this year and while they will be as flexible as possible, they have to do what it takes to keep their business open. If you cannot host your large private event see if your venue is open to these options…

Small wedding ceremony, larger reception. Moving most of the guests to reception only status makes things easier because receptions are come and go, so there’s no guarantee on how many guests will be in a space at a given time. This can take a lot of pressure off you and the venue.

Use your time at the venue for amazing bride and groom portraits and send out some really cute “we eloped” cards! See if you can use your deposit toward access to the venue for a short ceremony and some amazing portraits that can be sent and posted to your wedding website

2. Use your wedding photography package toward different portraits. If you had to reschedule and your dates don’t align with your photographer, convert that time into a family portrait session or bride and groom portraits that are done separately than your wedding day.

3. What if you want to put everything on hold? No problem, your deposit may not be refundable but most vendors won’t be unreasonable about keeping you “on file” until you have a better plan for your wedding. Communication is essential and never be afraid to ask questions about how you can work together!