How to Gracefully Make A Wedding Postponement Announcement

Wedding planning is filled with excitement and anticipation, but sometimes, unexpected circumstances can make finding a new wedding date necessary. Maybe you plan your dream wedding at the perfect venue, but a storm damages the property, and the venue can no longer host your event. Now what?

You’ll need to inform everyone involved of the change with a wedding postponement announcement. It can feel overwhelming to make a postponement announcement, but it’s necessary in cases like these. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best ways to share the wedding change with care, tact, and grace while still preserving the spirit and excitement of your big day.

Why Couples May Need to Postpone A Wedding

As the earlier example shows, weather is one big factor that can affect wedding planning. Health concerns, vendor disputes, and other issues can also result in needing a Plan B. These circumstances can leave the couple feeling powerless and unsure of how to let their wedding party and wedding guests know that there are going to be some major wedding changes.

Let’s be clear: A wedding postponement is common and can happen to any couple. It’s okay to mourn when this happens, but do not feel embarrassed. When handled thoughtfully, a postponement wedding announcement can turn this unexpected twist into an opportunity to connect more deeply with your loved ones, reinforce your excitement, and create new memories on your future wedding day.

Postponing a wedding is never easy, but following a clear process can help make the transition smoother for everyone involved. Here are five steps to navigate the logistics and emotions of rescheduling your big day.

Step 1: Initial Considerations When Postponing A Wedding

First things first, determine that you actually have to postpone your wedding. Is there any way to salvage the situation before making a formal announcement? This should be the stage where you gather further details about why the wedding change is happening. This can give you better clarity to ensure everyone on your guest list understands the explanation.

Before making any wedding postponement announcement, you’ll also want to consider all your next steps. It’s ideal to try to determine a new wedding date that aligns with your desired venue, vendor availability, and personal timeline so you can share that information with your guests. If a firm date isn’t possible yet, that’s okay! You can always let them know that more details will follow soon.

To ensure a smooth process, talk with close family members, your wedding party, and any other key figures so they’re informed before the postponement announcement goes public. This step helps manage reactions and guarantees that everyone who plays a role in your wedding knows what to expect and can support you as guests begin to learn of the changes. Expect to field many questions and remain positive.

Step 2: What to Include In A Postponed Wedding Announcement

Now that you’re ready to make the announcement, it’s good to know what information to include. When creating your postponement announcement, here are the essentials:

• Original wedding date: Briefly mention the original date for context.
• New date: If you have a firm new wedding date, share it. If not, state that more information will follow soon.
• Instructions for guests: Offer guidance on accommodations, attire, or travel changes. This is especially important if the wedding plan requires different guest accommodations, ceremony or reception locations, rehearsal dinner spots, and/or vendors (such as a different caterer with a new menu for your guests to look over and pick their meal).
• Reference the wedding website: If you decide to have a wedding website, invite guests to check it for further details and the latest updates.
• Personal note: Briefly express your gratitude and excitement for the wedding plan. Infuse it with your personality so you come across as genuine and genuinely caring about your guests.

For wedding guests who have already sent gifts, you could include a message of thanks or an assurance that you’re looking forward to celebrating together soon. Personal touches can make your postponed wedding announcements feel warm and sincere. As always, be accessible to your guests if they have any questions or want to check in on you during this major change.

Step 3: Wording Ideas For How to Announce A Wedding Postponement

How do you elegantly explain the reasons for postponing your wedding so that everyone will understand? It may seem daunting, but finding the right wording in a postponement announcement is imperative and will play a huge part in your formal notification.

You’ll want to make sure that the messaging is positive, understandable, and informative. The new date announcement should also try to answer any potential questions, including if there are changes to the wedding venue or guest accommodations.

Here are a few wording suggestions for various scenarios when it comes to your change-the-date update.

1. For a tentative new date: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided to postpone our wedding, which was originally scheduled for [original date]. We are excited to announce that we will celebrate our love on a tentative [new date]! Thank you for your understanding, support, and love. We will provide a new wedding invitation soon.”
2. For a to-be-announced date: “After much consideration, we have decided to postpone our wedding on [original date]. Though our plans are temporarily paused, we look forward to sharing information about our wedding day with you soon — stay tuned for updates! Thank you for your continued love and support.”
3. For a change of venue: “We unfortunately have to postpone our wedding from [original date] at [venue name]. Please await our new wedding invitations or check our wedding website [include the link] for updates. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. We look forward to sharing our special day with you soon!”

Finally, remember to thank your wedding guests for their patience, understanding, and support as they adjust their schedules. Not only is it polite, but it also lets guests know they’re a valued part of the celebration, regardless of the timeline.

Step 4: Communicating The New Date to Wedding Guests

When you need to tell everyone of your new wedding date, there are several things to consider for how to deliver the message to your wedding guests. You can send out traditional mail, send an email, or update your wedding website — or use multiple options. As long as they get the updated date card that’s all that matters.

• Traditional mail: You have already mailed your guests their save-the-dates and wedding invitations. If you have to change the date of your wedding, you’ll want to send out new invitations, and you might want to stick to the same delivery method. You can opt for premade wedding postponement cards or date cards (also known as a change-the-date cards) to announce the update. Or, you can create custom cards to match your previous mailers. Be sure to clearly state that the old date is no longer happening and that there is a new date to add to the calendar.
• Emails: Maybe you’re more of a tech-savvy couple and want to let your guests know about the wedding changes via email. If you have already emailed the entire guest list, simply write a new email explaining the wedding postponement alongside the new date. The subject line should be something that will capture their attention and not end up in spam filters. Consider a subject line like, “ATTN: New Date Wedding Announcement” or something similar that is direct and will ensure your guests will understand what to expect. In the body of the message, clearly explain why it’s changing and excitedly announce the new wedding date. Let guests know that you appreciate their understanding and are available to answer any questions.
• Wedding website: If you have a wedding website, a new date announcement will be very straightforward. Simply update the webpage with the new date, explain the reason behind the change, and then alert your guests of the latest information. Some websites have a built-in e-blast when you make major changes to the site; otherwise, you should alert your guests to check the webpage. Some couples even leave an option for their guests to receive new RSVPs.

No matter your method of choice for delivering the updated wedding card, remember that this new information can stir up several emotions in you and your wedding guests. Staying positive in your messaging and wording can help instill some comfort. Postponing a wedding doesn’t have to be a negative experience; it can grant you more time to enjoy your engagement and receive more love and support from the most important people in your life.

Step 5: Things to Do after Sending Postponed Wedding Announcements

Once you have sent a wedding postponement card to everyone on your guest list, it’s time to take care of other wedding-related items.

1. Talk to your wedding planner: If you have a wedding planner, talk with them immediately so they can assist you. They will help re-coordinate everything from venue to vendors to guest accommodations. If you do not have a wedding planner, follow the next steps.
2. Revisit vendor agreements: Check the fine print on all vendor or rental contracts to see how your wedding postponement might affect costs and availability. Most vendors are flexible, especially if you’ve been transparent and communicative. Be sure to update them with your new wedding date as soon as possible to secure availability or source new vendors.
3. Keep guests engaged and excited: One of the most challenging aspects of a wedding postponement announcement is maintaining enthusiasm among your guests. Consider sending updates about your planning journey, sneak peeks of your attire, or small tokens like postcards or photos that remind them of the special day ahead. This is a great time to update your wedding website and hype up future events like a wedding shower or rehearsal dinner.
4. Check your wedding insurance policies: You should always get insurance for any celebratory monumental life event, like a wedding. This coverage will help you regain any lost deposits on vendors or venues and protect against damages to the venue or rental items. Some insurance providers like BriteCo now include cancellation insurance, where you can cancel for any reason and still recoup your money.

Wedding Postponement Announcement FAQs

What are some common reasons to postpone a wedding?

These unprecedented times and recent world events have brought to light how epidemics and illness can force couples to make the tough decision to postpone their wedding. Other common reasons are family emergencies, vendor and venue disputes, personal or financial issues, and a change of heart.

What should be included in a wedding postponement announcement?

Your announcement should contain three main details: Clearly state that you are postponing your wedding, then share the new date if you have it set (if not, explain that more information will follow) and where guests can find the new information.

How can we maintain excitement among our guests after a postponed wedding announcement?

Remaining optimistic is at the heart of any postponed wedding announcement. It may be challenging and sad that your original wedding plan is not happening as you envisioned. But remaining positive sends a message to your guests that, in the long run, this is a welcome change. Take the additional time to enjoy your engagement and hype up your future wedding with all your guests.

Should we add a personal note in the postpone wedding wording?

Adding a personal touch is a great idea. A short message like, “Thank you for being part of our journey — we’re grateful for your understanding and look forward to creating wonderful memories together” can make your announcement warm and heartfelt.

A Postponed Wedding Announcement Is Not the End of the World

Postponing a wedding is not an easy decision, and it can feel like all your well-laid plans are now failing. But remember, this is just a temporary bump in your wedding planning process. Making the announcement to your wedding guests about postponing should be done with careful consideration — explain the reason behind it, and do so with grace and positivity.

On the chance you have to postpone your wedding or cancel altogether, it’s a good idea to invest in wedding insurance. BriteCo offers comprehensive liability and cancellation coverage options for all the unexpected issues that may or may not happen — even protecting you if you have a change of heart. Explore our easy-to-use website to customize an affordable, personalized policy in just minutes.

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