As an engaged couple, one of the worst nightmares you can face is having your venue unexpectedly close down. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as natural disasters, health pandemics, or even financial difficulties on the part of the venue. Sometimes the venue simply decides to start renovations on their property. Whatever the reason, it can be a stressful and overwhelming situation to handle.
But don’t panic! While it may seem like all of your hard work and planning has gone down the drain, there are steps you can take to minimize the impact and find a new venue that will still allow you to have the wedding of your dreams.
- Contact your venue as soon as possible. If you haven’t been officially notified of the venue’s closure, reach out to them directly to confirm the situation. If the closure is temporary, they may be able to offer alternative dates or solutions. If it’s permanent, you’ll need to start looking for a new venue.
- Communicate with your vendors. Once you have confirmation that your venue has closed, it’s important to let your other vendors know as soon as possible. This includes your planner, photographer, DJ, florist, and any other vendors you’ve hired for your wedding. They may be able to help you find a new venue or adjust their services to fit your new location. If you are changing dates, you will want to confirm that they are available on your new date (and what happens if they are not).
- Look for a new venue. This can be a daunting task, especially if you have a specific vision for your wedding. However, there are likely other venues in the area that may be able to accommodate you. Consider reaching out to nearby hotels, restaurants, or event spaces to see if they have any availability on your desired date. You may need to be flexible with your wedding date or make some compromises, but it’s important to remember that the most important thing is that you and your partner are getting married, not the specific location.
- Work with your planner. If you have a wedding planner, now is the time to lean on them for support. They can help you find a new venue, negotiate with vendors, and make any necessary changes to your wedding timeline. If you don’t have a planner, consider hiring one to help you navigate this stressful situation.
- Communicate with your guests. Once you have a new venue secured, be sure to let your guests know as soon as possible. This is especially important if you have guests who have already booked flights or made other travel arrangements. You may want to consider sending out a “change the date” card or email to let them know of the new location and any other important details.
While it’s never easy to deal with a venue closure, the most important thing is to stay calm and be proactive. By following these steps, you can find a new venue and move forward with your wedding plans. Please reach out to me at hello@christagraham.com if you are having issues with your venue!
I realized wedding planning was my passion when, after working a 12-hour wedding day, I came home and was so energized that I couldn’t go to sleep. I had just worked an entire day, on my feet, and was ready to plan the next event instead of heading to bed! In former careers, an 8-hour shift would leave me exhausted. This new-found energy around my work was very welcomed! Now I plan weddings all around the Metro Detroit & Ann Arbor areas.