When you’ve had a wedding planned for awhile, it’s hard to imagine the extent of circumstances that would move you to postponing or outright cancelling your special day. But with COVID-19 looming like an ever present rain cloud over all of the excitedly-planned 2020 weddings, that’s exactly where we are. It’s sad and deeply disappointing, of course it is, but couples are weathering through the storm and finding their rainbows in brand new wedding dates and totally clean slates. Having something to look forward to or work towards is a beautiful thing – and we’re happy that we can be a part of the “it will happen” hype – at 20 percent off, too!
Our Style Me Pretty Collection stationery is stunning, especially the Save the Date cards – but just as beautiful are the ways that couples can take our designs and transform them into perfect (and powerful) Change the Date cards. In fact, we’d go as far as to say that our Change the Date tweaks might be a smidge even more special, just because changing the date shows a lot of strength and steadfastness, it’s celebration-worthy to a next-level degree – if you ask us!
Officially changing the date with your venue and vendors is the hardest part of the wedding reenvisioning, because there are a lot of moving parts to making such a significant switch flip. But once you’ve done that, letting your guests know that things have been reshuffled shouldn’t have to be a big thing. Unlike couples who have had to cancel or postpone their weddings due to unforeseen circumstances that not all of their guests are privy to, couples making the decision to rearrange their nuptials this year can safely assume that their guests understand why. COVID complications, plain and simple.
Before we share some customizable Save the Date designs that can be co-opted as Change the Date cards, here are just a few things to keep in mind:
1. Get something out quickly. Not like Anne Hatheway in Bride Wars hurriedly, but as soon as you start getting your new plans solidified (or, at the very least, make a concrete decision on your original wedding date), you should consider reaching out to ALL of your wedding guests via email or digital postponement announcement to let them know that coronavirus concerns have prompted you to delay your present wedding plans. In the same message, include a reminder about your wedding website and relay that of-the-minute changes will be reflected there, so they can refer accordingly!
2. Get things in writing. Starting with all of your new arrangements and coordinating contracts. Once you’re all squared away with your new day, then you can begin sourcing your change the dates. Digital correspondence is absolutely doable (and there are several online stationers out there to help!), but we love the look and feel of a tangible change the date tiding – after all, this new date is something to be proud and excited about, your guests will be thrilled to receive it, and you’ll be happy you decided to stick one on your refrigerator! The countdown to your #idoround2 starts now!
3. Get your guests up to speed. Yep, you’ll want to stock up on those signature wedding stamps again… because it’s time to let your loved ones in on the official details of the day. It’s a brand new day, so you can go with a look that’s brand new too (for instance, maybe your original Save the Date was photoless, so, this time, you want to go with a photo #stillengagedmentphotos, perhaps?!). Just make sure that you have all the right call outs on your card, peep them all below!
Anatomy of a Change the Date Card.
Essentially, you’ll be sharing the same details you initially shared in your save the date, but you’ll be acknowledging that things have changed. Here’s exactly what you have to include, so that your guests aren’t kept in the dark about your delay.
Your names.
For real, seeing your names together is an excuse to smile anytime, but this is your wedding – even higher stakes!
Your reasoning for the change.
Again, it’s pretty much a given that your guests will anticipate COVID having something to do with your change, but it’s still nice to acknowledge the situation in some way. Something as simply-worded as “since we couldn’t celebrate the way we had hoped, we coped by changing our date” will work just fine!
Your new date.
Just like your birthday, the day you started dating, your engagiversary, this new date signifies a monumental milestone. We promise, the more times you actually see the new date written, typed, texted, etc. the more you’ll get excited. You’ll be able to give a proper “days till I Do” count before you know it…
Your new location.
If you have a new one, that is. You might very well be getting married at the same place, just at a different time.
Your wedding website plug.
This is sooo important, especially if you aren’t sending out entirely new invitations (and just using the change the date for formal countenance). If you can remind folks about your wedding website, you can troubleshoot any queries, questions, and concerns just by directing them there for further explanation.
For any Style Me Pretty designs that don’t have enough personalizable space to include as robust an explanation as you’d prefer, you can also use one of our equally-stylish + tailorable all purpose cards for overflow. Any of the headings and text box defaults can be erased to allow room for COVID-related decision commentary or to include your own notes like “more details to come” or “re-invitations to follow,” so that guests feel in-the-know about your nuptials.
While this new date might not have been your first choice, it’ll [hopefully] be the best choice – because you’ll be married by the end of it! Shop the Style Me Pretty Collection now for 20 percent off your favorite Save the Date (turned Change the Date) design, and change the date in style!
Danielle Halibey is a writer, editor, and publicist living in New Jersey. She has been immersed in the world of weddings since planning her own whimsical, romantic affair in 2014. And isn’t that what they always say, “those who can’t do, teach?” Well, once her nuptials were over, she still had stuff in the ‘I Do’ industry to do. She writes regularly for top wedding blogs including Style Me Pretty and Wedding Chicks, and has garnered millions of press impressions for brands in the wedding space: fashion, beauty, wedding talent+tastemakers and more.
