getting married in the midst of covid-19 |
Lynn Lewis Photography | San Francisco Bay Area Wedding Photographer
I know. You never could've predicted that your wedding day, a day you've dreamed of and planned for so long, would be turned upside down. It's a day that you've invested emotionally, mentally, physically, financially in, a day meant to be the most awesome celebration with all your loved ones. I want you to know that's it's ok to feel the way you do, and that your feelings are valid. It's ok to feel upset, to feel angry, to feel disappointed.
Breathe with me. Sit with me in this space, as I'm here in my home and you in yours, and take a deep breath. I know that it can feel overwhelming, and I feel it too. I want you to know that I'm here for you. Not as your photographer right this moment, but as a friend. As someone who wants you to have the very best wedding day, as someone who wants to celebrate with you, to laugh and to cry with you through all the crazy things that life throws at us.
There's no rules set for this kind of situation, and while the one thing that's certain is that we're in uncertain times, I want to create a safe space for us to move forward together. You are more than just clients to me, you are people that I get the honor to know, to hear your stories, to support you during these times and after these times. My hope for you is that no matter what happens, no matter what your wedding day looks like or when it is, you will still have a beautiful day to celebrate why you chose each other for a lifetime together.
Breathe with me. Sit with me in this space, as I'm here in my home and you in yours, and take a deep breath. I know that it can feel overwhelming, and I feel it too. I want you to know that I'm here for you. Not as your photographer right this moment, but as a friend. As someone who wants you to have the very best wedding day, as someone who wants to celebrate with you, to laugh and to cry with you through all the crazy things that life throws at us.
There's no rules set for this kind of situation, and while the one thing that's certain is that we're in uncertain times, I want to create a safe space for us to move forward together. You are more than just clients to me, you are people that I get the honor to know, to hear your stories, to support you during these times and after these times. My hope for you is that no matter what happens, no matter what your wedding day looks like or when it is, you will still have a beautiful day to celebrate why you chose each other for a lifetime together.
First of all, I want to say that I know that every couple and every situation is different, and that there's countless factors that you two have to take into consideration. Whether you have 150 guests or 50 guests, whether you secretly wanted to have a smaller wedding anyway, whether you have close family members travelling in or loved ones who are immunocompromised, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. But I also know that in these uncertain times, I want to be 100% transparent with you, and providing a clear rescheduling policy is my way of helping you move forward in your decision with a clear understanding of all your options.
COVID-19 Policies
Change of DateClients may transfer their retainer fee and reschedule to a date I'm available for, The following policies will be applied for rescheduling to the following dates:
No additional fees will be applied for rescheduling to:
A $500 rescheduling fee will be applied for rescheduling to:
A $1000 rescheduling fee will be applied for rescheduling to:
Rescheduling fee will be added to the total balance and 50% of the fee will be due to secure a new date. |
Change of ServicesClients may transfer their retainer fee and change their wedding photography coverage to full day elopement photography coverage. Clients will still be responsible for the remaining balance as stated in the contract. Rescheduling fees under "Change of Date" may apply.
CancellationClients who choose to reschedule to a date that I am unavailable for or cancel their wedding altogether will forfeit the retainer fee with the option to request other services (e.g. wedding shoot, anniversary session, family session). If the full balance was paid, any amount paid beyond the retainer fee will be refunded.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do you charge rescheduling fees for peak Fridays through Sundays in 2021?
Here's my turn to be vulnerable with you. I'm scared too. Let's say it together - COVID-19 sucks, and we're all a nervous wreck as we try to navigate how to move forward in these uncertain times. There are only 30 Saturdays in peak wedding season, and every 2020 wedding moved to a peak 2021 date means one less wedding I can take on next year. Dates are my inventory - once it's yours, it's yours. I can't make any more inventory, and my primary income as a full-time small business owner depends on those limited dates. Each date you book is a sold product, which means turning away inquiries even for 2020 elopements to give you time to make the best decision for you. As 2020 has turned from a few rescheduled weddings to almost all rescheduled weddings, I've been grappling with the scary reality of losing almost a full year's income, even with the rescheduling fee, while still maintaining all the normal business expenses and only being able to book a few new weddings at 2021 rates.
Fridays and Sundays are still peak wedding days, as 30% of my 2020 weddings fell on those dates (you might be one of them!) I typically only take on back-to-back weddings in specific circumstances, usually when one of the two weddings has less coverage and is more local. To give you more flexibility, I am opening my calendar for back-to-back dates, though I know the upcoming wedding season is going to require working twice as hard to make sure you get the quality of service that you deserve.
It can often feel like a lose-lose situation on both sides, but my hope is that we can meet each other halfway in these difficult times. If rescheduling to off peak date is an option for you, I kindly ask that you consider it because it truly means the world to wedding vendors especially as small businesses. I know everyone's hurting, and I know some of you may be facing financial instability too from job loss or being furloughed. If you're in a tough financial spot, please don't hesitate to reach out and let's talk through options. Let's get through this together and make it out on the other side with an amazing celebration with your loved ones that will be well worth the wait.
Q: What if you're unavailable for a date but my other vendors are?
If you're facing difficulty matching up dates with your vendors and want to keep your vendor team, I highly encourage you to consider off peak dates. I myself got married on a Sunday morning! (I mean, who doesn't like brunch food). Silver lining: Your vendors probably have limited dates because you snagged some of the best vendors out there! But I also understand that you may also have other factors to consider, such as availability of family and friends to travel. If you choose to reschedule for a date I'm unavailable for, it breaks my heart that we will no longer be able to work together, but I understand that it may be the best option in your case. To make sure you are still taken care of, I will reach out to my network to send you referrals who are available on your date, and the cancellation policy would apply.
Q: When should I decide to reschedule?
I wish I could magically determine when things will return to normal, but unfortunately, I'm a mere mortal who can only make judgements based on current government orders and current news.
Q: We're looking at a few dates but haven't decided yet, can you put a hold on dates while we're deciding?
As soon as you're looking at tentative dates, please let me know ASAP so I can keep those in mind as I talk with other couples. If you're leaning toward one date strongly but need more time to make a decision, I'm happy to put a soft hold on your preferred date. If another couple inquiries about your date, you have the first right of refusal to claim the date with a signed contract.
Q: We've decided on a new date that you're available for. What are the next steps?
To reschedule your date, I'll send you an amendment to the contract to book your new date, transfer your retainer to the new date, and release liability from your original date. Not ready to book a new date yet? No worries, I'll send you an amendment with the rescheduling policy so that you can decide later. If you don't have a printer/scanner at home, feel free to electronically sign - there's lots of free ways through Windows/Mac/iPhone/Android or the DocHub Add-On for Gmail.
Here's my turn to be vulnerable with you. I'm scared too. Let's say it together - COVID-19 sucks, and we're all a nervous wreck as we try to navigate how to move forward in these uncertain times. There are only 30 Saturdays in peak wedding season, and every 2020 wedding moved to a peak 2021 date means one less wedding I can take on next year. Dates are my inventory - once it's yours, it's yours. I can't make any more inventory, and my primary income as a full-time small business owner depends on those limited dates. Each date you book is a sold product, which means turning away inquiries even for 2020 elopements to give you time to make the best decision for you. As 2020 has turned from a few rescheduled weddings to almost all rescheduled weddings, I've been grappling with the scary reality of losing almost a full year's income, even with the rescheduling fee, while still maintaining all the normal business expenses and only being able to book a few new weddings at 2021 rates.
Fridays and Sundays are still peak wedding days, as 30% of my 2020 weddings fell on those dates (you might be one of them!) I typically only take on back-to-back weddings in specific circumstances, usually when one of the two weddings has less coverage and is more local. To give you more flexibility, I am opening my calendar for back-to-back dates, though I know the upcoming wedding season is going to require working twice as hard to make sure you get the quality of service that you deserve.
It can often feel like a lose-lose situation on both sides, but my hope is that we can meet each other halfway in these difficult times. If rescheduling to off peak date is an option for you, I kindly ask that you consider it because it truly means the world to wedding vendors especially as small businesses. I know everyone's hurting, and I know some of you may be facing financial instability too from job loss or being furloughed. If you're in a tough financial spot, please don't hesitate to reach out and let's talk through options. Let's get through this together and make it out on the other side with an amazing celebration with your loved ones that will be well worth the wait.
Q: What if you're unavailable for a date but my other vendors are?
If you're facing difficulty matching up dates with your vendors and want to keep your vendor team, I highly encourage you to consider off peak dates. I myself got married on a Sunday morning! (I mean, who doesn't like brunch food). Silver lining: Your vendors probably have limited dates because you snagged some of the best vendors out there! But I also understand that you may also have other factors to consider, such as availability of family and friends to travel. If you choose to reschedule for a date I'm unavailable for, it breaks my heart that we will no longer be able to work together, but I understand that it may be the best option in your case. To make sure you are still taken care of, I will reach out to my network to send you referrals who are available on your date, and the cancellation policy would apply.
Q: When should I decide to reschedule?
I wish I could magically determine when things will return to normal, but unfortunately, I'm a mere mortal who can only make judgements based on current government orders and current news.
Q: We're looking at a few dates but haven't decided yet, can you put a hold on dates while we're deciding?
As soon as you're looking at tentative dates, please let me know ASAP so I can keep those in mind as I talk with other couples. If you're leaning toward one date strongly but need more time to make a decision, I'm happy to put a soft hold on your preferred date. If another couple inquiries about your date, you have the first right of refusal to claim the date with a signed contract.
Q: We've decided on a new date that you're available for. What are the next steps?
To reschedule your date, I'll send you an amendment to the contract to book your new date, transfer your retainer to the new date, and release liability from your original date. Not ready to book a new date yet? No worries, I'll send you an amendment with the rescheduling policy so that you can decide later. If you don't have a printer/scanner at home, feel free to electronically sign - there's lots of free ways through Windows/Mac/iPhone/Android or the DocHub Add-On for Gmail.
aVAILABILITY
For ease of rescheduling, feel free to use the calendar for current availability for 2020/2021. Please keep in mind that availability is subject to change as I talk with all my couples, so there is a possibility that new dates may open up while others may close. Dates on soft hold will be listed as available until they are officially booked with a signed contract, so it's always good to have a few dates in mind.
I hope that during this time, you get to slow down and celebrate the small things. For me, it's getting to cook new recipes (I got a bomb churro recipe for any fellow dessert-lovers out there), finding new online board games with my husband (and playing until I win), Googling what happened after The Tiger King, and researching possibly getting a pup next year. Yes, there are days where I feel stressed and overwhelmed too, but we gotta hold onto the things we are blessed to have. And for you - that's each other. It's times like these that remind me of why I love capturing weddings in the first place - because I get to celebrate your amazing love story, one that's strong enough to even withstand COVID-19 trying to interrupt your wedding day. We got this 🙌🏼
