Note: I’m updating this article whenever a new resource crosses my radar so just FYI.
Well, shit.
My current mental state right now yo-yos between “panic” and “anxiety” with a nice undertow of “dread and foreboding.” I’m fortunate in that a lot of that panic, anxiety, dread, and foreboding are tied to my business, rather than my health or the health of my loved ones.
Still, shit shit shit.
I’ve encountered a lot of great resources for wedding vendors and small business owners. Here’s my attempt to compile them for your reference. If you have more to add, please email me (elisabeth@elisabethkramer.com). To the best of my ability, I have tried to include links and credit wherever I could.
Onward.
Free offers of support
Free advertising
If you’ve ever advertised on Offbeat Bride, good news: You can renew for free anytime this year. The publisher, Ariel Meadow Stallings, mentioned in her Substack newsletter (it’s great; you should subscribe) that this move gives away “potentially half of Offbeat Bride’s annual revenue” so beyond being awesome, this news is also hella inspiring.
This one comes courtesy of the editor of Catalyst Wed Co.: Honeyfund is creating a free online vendor directory with a specific focus on vendors who can help couples get married virtually. The Google Form and additional details are here.
Templates you can use
I created a template from the email I sent my clients to inform them of their rights and mine. You can view that here.
Meg Hotchkiss of New York-City based planning company LVR Events kindly shared these email templates. They’re a great place to start as you correspond with clients, vendors, and guests.
Note that as of publishing, Meg doesn’t include a template for if your clients want to cancel their wedding so I created one. I also created a template for clients to use for more immediate, less concrete updates for any wedding party members, immediate family members, or guests who need an update more quickly than other guests.
Podcasts worth downloading
Full disclosure: I found out about this podcast episode because I was a guest on Nathan Holritz’ The Bokeh Podcast but I sincerely love the idea: “Get Ahead During Slow Season.” It strikes a great balance between adding value during coronavirus and “capitalizing” on these strange times. This and other episodes relevant to working on your business during a crisis (including the episode I’m on) are listed here.
Cindy of Aisle Less Traveled expedited an episode of her podcast Super Gay Wedding and also created this super comprehensive guide to all things coronavirus and weddings. The article is mainly client-facing and you do have to subscribe to a newsletter to get additional resources but the advice is worth it.
I’m also recommending two podcasts to couples that vendors might find value in, too: COVID-19 and Your Wedding from Put a Ring On It and Episode 411 from Bridechilla. (Really, has there ever been a better time for Aleisha’s famous “fuck it bucket”?)
Articles worth reading
Cindy Savage of Aisle Less Traveled wrote this piece explaining why vendors might charge fees and/or not refund clients. It’s a clear-eyed and honest resource to explain a shitty, shitty situation. Maybe it’ll help you as you communicate with your couples.
The team at Castaway, a Portland, Oregon, event venue, put together this website. It’s a list of resources related to event planning during COVID-19. Most notable for vendors: a list of petitions to sign, government news to pay attention to, etc. and this list of discounts that venues and vendors are offering because of COVID-19. There’s an email at the bottom of the website (info@castawayportland.com) if you want to submit any information.
I’m a big fan of Mike Michalowicz’ work (“Profit First” radically improved my business). He recently released this article and video on three ways to strengthen your business right now without getting grubby. Nothing in it was like “woah! million-dollar idea there” but I found it a much-needed dose of rational optimism.
The lawyer who made my LLC, Michael Jonas of Rational Unicorn Legal Services, created this page of various small business resources. Note that Michael’s team is offering lower rates on certain legal projects during COVID-19.
Brooklyn-based photographer Megan Breukelman wrote this article about ways photographers can still make money right now. It’s photographer-specific but this type of creative (if often painful) brainstorming applies to all wedding vendors.
I also wrote up my experience as a wedding planner about steps I’m taking for my couples and my business.
What other vendors are doing
Everybody’s situation is different because we all have different business models and demands on our time and money. That in mind, I thought it be useful to know how other wedding vendors are handling this situation:
For me, you can see the email I sent my clients here. Also, as of March 17, 2020, I gifted 5 percent of every new booking to a fellow wedding vendor; I called it my “Well, shit wedding vendor relief fund.” I retired this program on October 6, 2020, because I ran out of vendors who said they wanted to be a part of the fund.
Here’s an idea from Marissa Solini of Marissa Solini Photography: Write a review for vendors whom you’ve enjoyed working with, even if it’s been a bit since you worked together. More recently, Marissa has put together this very neat project for couples.
Here’s an idea for my design-minded folks: The Gold Letter created some rad “emergency graphics” (found courtesy of Nettle & Silk). So did Laura of Married AF Club out of Australia (these postponement cards, which she offered until April 17, 2020). Both are a nice reminder that the world might be going up in flames but we can burn in STYLE.
The Portland-based designer Claire La Faye is: making masks. For everyone she sells, she donates a matching one to a local fire station or nursing home, wherever the need is greatest.
Also making masks: SoSuzette out of Seattle. The woman behind the label, Nicole Vasquez (who’s also a wedding coordinator), makes masks in several sizes including for kids. Shipping is $5 (if you’re in Seattle, she’s happy to arrange a porch drop). On average, people are paying $8 to $14 a mask but Nicole will work with your budget. Photos on her Instagram.
Speaking of designers: Leila Breton of Curvy Custom Bride shared this story about her work. A favorite line: “First of all, let me tell you a secret: You can wear whatever you want the day of your wedding.”
Hair and makeup wonder woman Gioia Gomez shares this idea: Gift cards for hair and makeup services. Might appeal as a wedding shower or bridal shower gift?
Photographer Carly Romeo offers this advice: “We’re sharing tips for working on the parts of your wedding that cost $0.00 and won’t change no matter how many times you end up rescheduling.” Each post linked to a blog article including this one on how to write vows.
If you live in Oregon…
Prosper Portland provides a regular and consistent source of information regarding grants, loans, and other relief programs. I used to list everything they’re doing in this article but honestly, it’s too much and too good so just better to sign up for their newsletter.
I personally found this roundup of resources, as curated by the Multnomah County Library, really honest and easy to use. Of particular note on the list: COVID-19 Resources for Businesses from the Oregon state agency, Business Oregon.
This Airtable is a list of local restaurants and retailers where you can buy gift cards. I included it here since many such spots are affiliated with weddings, either as venues or spots where couples buy items they use at their weddings.
For your couples
I’ve created a separate article specific to resources that you can share with your couples because they need us. This article includes a couple links to pieces around the question of how people can get legally married right now.