NORTH CAROLINA’S 3 PHASE PLAN FOR COVID-19
PHASE ONE
Stay At Home order remains in place, people can leave home for any open business
Any open stores maintain employee/consumer social distancing, enhanced hygiene and cleaning, symptom screening of employees
Gatherings limited to no more than 10 people
Parks can open subject to gathering limits
Face coverings recommended in public when 6 feet of distance isn’t possible
Restrictions remain in place for nursing homes and other congregate living settings
Encourage continued teleworking
PHASE TWO
- at least 2-3 weeks after phase one -
Lift Stay At Home order with strong encouragement for vulnerable populations to continue staying at home
Allow limited opening of restaurants, bars, gyms, and other businesses that can follow strict safety protocols (reduced capacity)
Allow gathering at houses of worship and entertainment venues at reduced capacity
Increase in number of people allowed at gatherings
Open public playgrounds
Continue rigorous restrictions on nursing homes and congregant care settings
PHASE THREE
- at least 4-6 weeks after phase two -
Vulnerable people continue practicing physical distancing and minimizing exposure
Increased capacity at restaurants, bars, other businesses, houses of worship, and entertainment venues
Increase the number of people allowed at gatherings
Open public playgrounds
Continue rigorous restrictions on nursing homes
HOW DOES A WEDDING PLANNER HELP
DURING A CRISIS SUCH AS THIS?
If you’re in the middle of postponing your wedding during COVID-19, then having a single point person to take care of you, that has the experience of navigating hard situations between you and your vendors is going to relieve so much stress for you. A wedding planner is emotionally invested in you and your day, and to be able to step in and not only be on your side, but also funnel all communication to the rest of the vendors is an honor. We respect both sides – our couples and the other vendors. We love our clients, but we also love and repeatedly work with these other vendors and want what’s best for both sides. Hiring an expert to navigate this for you helps make an easier transition with rescheduling.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU CAN OFFER TO APRIL AND MAY COUPLES WHO ARE HAVING TO POSTPONE THEIR WEDDING DURING THIS QUARANTINE?
I would advise to first start with your venue and your coordinator. You need your location and you need the person who’s going to communicate everything to the rest of your vendors. My second piece of advice is to choose a couple of new dates you would be happy with, not just one. Be open-minded about other couples going through this, too, as well as your vendor team. We would hate for them to not be able to be in business after this is all over with! Have grace in your communication, in the dates you choose so you can keep your vendors, and have grace in your chosen dates. Know that we all still want to give you the wedding of your dreams, just on a different date.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR JUNE & JULY BRIDES WHEN WE DON’T KNOW WHAT THE SITUATION WILL LOOK LIKE THEN?
It’s really a case by case basis, but the bottom line is – you need to think about your guests. If you have a ton of traveling guests coming in, there might not be enough available flights coming in by then, even if the wedding is able to be held. If you’re feeling nervous, I’d suggest sending out a Google form or an email to your guests, polling them on their feelings. Let them know that their safety is your number one concern. Then give them three options to choose from: 1. We’re coming as long as we’re able to 2. We’re a little nervous/unsure 3. We won’t be coming. This will give you some great feedback to help you make your decision.
If most of your guests have a positive reaction and you decide to go forward with your summer wedding, you can provide some peace for your guests on your website. Put up a blurb about each of your vendors and how they will be handling their business and their work to ensure safe and healthy procedures during your wedding. This will help instill trust in you and your guests.
We hope to keep all our summer brides on track for their wedding dates. But if you’re feeling unsettled, there’s a few things you can do. We can have “Change the date” or “Move the date” cards made up, that we just hold onto in case they’re needed. We can start looking at “backup dates,” and put a soft hold on those dates with all your vendors.
HOW HAS THIS CHANGED THE WAY YOU WILL OPERATE YOUR BUSINESS OR APPROACH PLANNING IN THE FUTURE?
We have really dug into our contracts, our cancellation policy and rescheduling policy. This is protect ourselves, but also our clients. We have taken a lot more time with prospective 2021 clients to really walk them through our contract so they know how we would handle this should it be an issue for their own wedding. It’s made us stronger planners and also strengthened our relationship with fellow vendors. I think addressing those fears, even though it likely won’t be an issue for their wedding, allows us to connect with our clients on a deeper level, and they appreciate our wisdom.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE OTHER VENDORS TO KNOW IN REGARDS TO HOW THEY CAN BEST SERVE THEIR CLIENTS AND COUPLES DURING THIS TIME?
Instead of brushing off their fears, take the time to really address them openly and honestly. And, on the other hand, to not be the one to instill fears in your clients! Make your clients feel calm. Instill peace and wisdom into them instead of fear and panic. If you have a concern, try to reach out to their coordinator first (if they have one) so that they can lead the communication and everyone can be on the same page. Our couples have likely never planned a wedding before, but as vendors, we have been through this process so many more times than them! They are looking to us for guidance, so let’s be a calm leader for them to trust.
HOW CAN WEDDING VENDORS AND OTHER CREATIVES KEEP THEIR BUSINESS PRESSING FORWARD DURING THE QUARANTINE, WHEN OTHER BUSINESSES ARE CLOSING DOWN?
Take a look at the outlets you already use for your branding and business and rev them up a little bit! On your website you can have a little note when they first land on your home page, that you’re still operating and you are willing to walk them through the process. Address the problem everyone is dealing with! Offer different solutions such as payment plans or a soft hold on your date until they feel more confident in booking you. Be open and honest in your social media. We need to have a bridge between ourselves and our clients. We want and need more inquiries, but our audience is scared and nervous with everything going on. So closing that gap by staying active on social media, addressing it on all your online presence, while still keeping your personality and brand what it always has been.
Put your best foot forward with every email and every phone call. Make the most of moments to connect. Try to step back and really see those opportunities for connection.
- xx -
The TGC team feels confident this situation will pass soon and we are praying for families and stress levels but we will get through this and your wedding will be the best day ever!
Thanks!
Chelsy and team