UPDATED 2021 WEDDING COVID19 ACTION PLAN
FAQS FOR 2021 WEDDING CLIENTS
This has been updated due on February 1st 2021
//
Last year, we were in the a state of unknown. I wanted to make postponing as easy and accommodating as possible as most of last year didn’t allow weddings to happen. Now that we are no longer in an unknown, and weddings are allowed (limited yes, but allowed) I have needed to make some adjustments for the 2021 season and my reschedule accommodations.
A majority of my 2021 season is rescheduled 2020 weddings. As many of you know, this ended up making a severe impact to my business. Last year and this coming year. I understand, and with my whole heart, know this was no one’s fault. We took it step by step and worked together as a team. While I know this year still doesn’t look the way we wanted it to, we now know what to expect moving forward and we need to put our heads together and get creative.
With the current new Washington state phasing plans - weddings are allowed. I do not expect them to be banned again. We have two phases: Phase 1 and Phase 2 - each of them allowing weddings, but different guest count allowances. Unless weddings are again completely restricted - my COVID Action Plan is changing. If you are a 2020 client that has already rescheduled to a new date in 2021 - new changes may apply to you below. If you are a 2021 wedding who’s original wedding date was 2021 - please scroll down to “2021 WEDDING CLIENTS” to see what potential changes have been made for reschedule/cancellations.
//
ORIGINAL 2020 WEDDINGS COUPLES:
I want to begin by stating how thankful I am for our relationship and our commitment to continue to work together for your upcoming wedding day. I know last year was difficult to maneuver and I truly appreciate your business and support during this time. I have had to make some adjustments to my postponement/rescheduling guidelines. Unless weddings are 100% restricted by Washington State legislation, the options for another reschedule/postponement have changed. I can no longer accept reschedules/postponements due mask wearing or not ideal reception coverage. If this is something that is absolutely important to you, you absolutely can reschedule, however, there may be fees to do so.
RESCHEDULING FOR A SECOND/THIRD TIME:
IF YOU WANT TO RESCHEDULE TO A LATER DATE IN 2021:
If you decide to postpone your wedding day to a new date within 2021 your deposit will transfer over and there will be no extras fees associated with your new date. I MUST be available for the new date. I do not have many Saturday availability between June - October. November and December are fully available. You more than likely will need to be willing to have a Friday, Sunday or other weekday wedding.
However, if this is your third time rescheduling, there will be a $500 fee attached to your remaining balance. This is not meant to be malicious. At this point in time I cannot continue to reschedule weddings because of guest count, mask mandate, or prohibited dancing.
Your remaining balance will be due on your “original” rescheduled date. For example, if your wedding was to be one July 3rd and you reschedule again to November 20th - you will need to pay your full balance on July 3rd.
If you decide to move your wedding date to a time that I am not available I will hire an experienced associate photographer to physically capture your wedding. I will only be choosing another highly experienced wedding photographer from the local area. The editing will still be done by me to stay consistent with my artistic representation you hired me for. My associate is highly experienced and captures weddings for me that I am unavailable for.
IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT RESCHEDULING TO 2022:
If you absolutely do not want to continue having your wedding in 2021 and choose to postpone to 2022, a new retainer of 30% of your original total will apply. The new retainer will be due at the signing of the second Reschedule Date Addendum. Your remaining balance will be due two weeks before the new date.
New 2022 dates will also be limited. Many Saturdays between June - September will be blocked from booking.
If COVID restricts weddings all together - to the point that your day is NOT allowed, a second reschedule is permitted without a fee. But it must be due to severe restrictions, not personal decision.
//
ORIGINAL 2021 WEDDING CLIENTS:
Just as the contract you signed states, you are allowed one reschedule if COVID severely impacts your ability to get married. Meaning, if Washington State does not allow you to have your wedding at all, you can reschedule your wedding up to one year after your original date. No extras fees will be charged. Your retainer will transfer right on over to your new date, and a Change of Date Addendum will need to be signed.
When I first began scheduling 2021 weddings, we weren’t sure what 2021 would look like. We are no longer in an unknown. Masks are mandated, dancing is limited. I understand this may be frustrating, but this could be something that goes on for another year. We are aware of where we are and need to shift our perspectives and how we envision a wedding day. With that said, reschedules will need to depend on a case by case scenario.
If you are a 2021 wedding that cannot stand the idea of wearing masks or not being able to dance so it prompts you to reschedule to 2022, a reschedule fee of $1000 may apply. The free reschedule is only included in the contract if you are forced to reschedule. You must choose a date that I am available for. If you do not choose a date I am available, you either can A. let my associate photographer capture your day or B. cancel with me, however all retainers paid will be nonrefundable.
If you make the decision to reschedule your wedding to next year due to personal reasons, I am kindly asking you to please choose weekday or Sunday dates. I need to keep as many weekends open as possible for 2022 couples too. All Saturdays from June through September are considered popular wedding dates, which I will be blocking for 2022 couples. If you end up rescheduling to a Saturday date that is during those months, there is a $1000.00 reschedule fee.
Again, this is not meant to be malicious in any form and I hope you can understand how important it is to be accommodating to your wedding vendors as much as we are to you. We all want the same thing in the end. We do love you and want the absolutely best outcome for all!
CANCELLING YOUR WEDDING (ORIGINAL 2020 and 2021 WEDDING CLIENTS)
If you’re not wanting to postpone your wedding, but instead cancel, here are a couple of options I can accommodate you for:
If you decide to cancel your wedding, I will not be providing a refund on retainer.
Please understand that this isn’t meant to be malicious, and I know this made be hard to swallow. COVID-19 is greatly impacting small businesses, and I need to protect my business and family financially. I highly advise everyone to continue to get married this year and work with the the state guidelines, or if you must, please postpone.
Please consider a small intimate wedding or eloping! Elopements can be SO much fun, and so freeing to do. I am obsessed with all the elopements I’ve done so far. They are magical and all about you. We can make it an all day event - details of getting ready, portraits, your ceremony, grabbing cocktails and dinner, popping champagne to end the celebration - whatever you want to do, let’s do it! You don’t need to cancel your celebration! Get creative! If this is something you are considering, please speak to me right away and we can start planning something MAGICAL.
PLEASE REMEMBER THERE ARE SO MANY IMPORTANT PARTS ABOUT A WEDDING DAY.
I know that having to wear masks and not being able to dance seems unimaginable. But I’m telling you, after shooting several weddings in 2020 - your wedding day is SO MUCH MORE than the dancing shots. There is so much more to your wedding day than the 45 minutes I get of you and your guests dancing. It really is such a small part of the wedding day. There is still so many candids that take place throughout the day, and I can promise you - that your wedding is just as beautiful, JUST AS important as any other wedding. Dancing and masks do not define your day. You will still love your gallery, and love seeing everyone that came to celebrate you - all together, in joy and love.
We can get SO creative! If you are a wedding that decides to minimize your guest list - small weddings ARE AMAZING. I had a small wedding myself of only 40 people - and friends and family still talk about it to this day. Imagine a quiet morning with your closest friends getting ready with no rush, traveling somewhere cool outside of your venue for KILLER couple’s portraits, getting to say HELLO to every single one of your guests. Having a stunning dinner and sharing sweet words via toasts. You could have an open toast set up and allow more friends and family to share words. Relax, breathe and just enjoy the WHOLE DAY because weddings are so much more than the drunk party ;)
We are in this together. Weddings will look different. Life will look different. Probably for a long time. But if we continue to choose love, over and over and over again - it will bring us together, heal us and move us in the right direction. Your wedding is not just about one day - it is your backstory that brought you to this moment, and the future story you still have yet to live.
Let’s get married. Kiss. Laugh. Drink wine. Sing. Be merry. We have so much to look forward to.
FAQS FOR PORTRAIT CLIENTS
POSTPONING OR CANCELING YOUR PHOTOSHOOT DUE TO COVID-19
You can absolutely delay your portrait session due to this virus, especially if you have children, a compromised immune system, or any family members that are at high risk. I will completely understand. Your safety is my BIGGEST priority.
If you choose to postpone, I will send you a list of new dates and we will reschedule! Your retainer will transfer over.
If you are unsure when you want to postpone to, that is totally fine - we can play it day by day and reschedule it when you are most comfortable.
I have a studio downtown that we keep VERY clean, and if you are okay with shooting something more indoors, I can accommodate your session in my studio! It’s a very safe, and clean space away from others. You also can change the location to something in your own home! In home sessions are some of my favorite, and it can be a fun way to get creative and keep your session!
If YOU get sick before a photoshoot:
If you are feeling sick before a photoshoot, please inform me. I will want to postpone your session once you’re healthier just for the sake of my other clients and my own family. This will NOT be an inconvenience. Like I’ve mentioned many times before, OUR HEALTH is a priority.
If I AM sick before a photoshoot:
The same situation will apply as above! We can either postpone to a later date. If your session cannot be postponed due to timing (maternity, birth, boudoir for a wedding gift) we can cancel the photoshoot, and I will return your deposit in full.
Like I have mentioned, it is my mission and duty to take care of my clients. It is SO IMPORTANT to me that you are heard, cared for and served in the best ways possible. We are in this together, and we can move forward in the best way possible. It is a very hectic time for so many people, and I am doing my best to work with the changes that will be presented. You all mean SO MUCH to me, and I cannot thank you enough for trusting in me during this time. Please contact me if you have any concerns or questions. I am here to be of service and help guide you through this time.