Planning a 2021 Wedding? What you should ask.

Worried about venues, invitations, dress alterations and venues? We've got your back.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, wedding planning suddenly became a lot more complicated. Over the past 10 months, many couples have had to cancel or postpone their planned celebrations and many more are wondering what 2021 has in store.

If you're one of the many couples planning a wedding next year, your mind is probably spinning with questions right now.

1. When should I start bridal alterations?

Dress alterations are a pretty important part of the wedding planning timeline. But if you're not sure when your celebration is going to take place, it's hard to figure out when you should start the process. Every bride is different, and some choose to go for multiple fittings in the months leading up to their big day. But according to Rosa-Lan Jarman, vice president of alterations at David's Bridal, you can wait a bit longer to take in your dress.

2. What questions should I ask my wedding venue?

If you're planning a 2021 wedding and have yet to choose a venue, you'll want to come prepared with a careful set of questions as you tour potential locations. Locking in your wedding venue and signing a contract can make the whole engagement process feel more "real," but be sure to ask what plans they have in place in terms of safety measures and social distancing first. Ask if there's any flexibility on dates in case you need to reschedule your wedding and consider looking into wedding insurance.

"Wedding insurance is an incredibly important step in the planning process as it protects a couple’s investment from circumstances beyond their control," said Jeffra Trumpower, WeddingWire creative director. However, each policy and provider offers different types of coverage, and each contract with a wedding professional will likely have different stipulations for these kinds of circumstances. Couples should read through their contracts thoroughly to understand what their options are in regards to changes to their wedding."

3. How do I handle save the dates? And what if I need to downsize my guest list?

Couples typically send out save the date cards 4-6 months before their wedding day or about 7-8 months for a destination wedding. Those etiquette rules have naturally changed for couples planning a wedding during COVID-19, and you may be wondering: Should I still send out save-the-date cards?

"I don't think the one-size-fits-all timeline really applies given the circumstances with COVID-19, however, in general I would still send out save the dates four or five months in advance if you believe you will be moving forward with the big day in some way," Emily Forrest Skurnik, Zola's director of communications, told TMRW.

4. Can I still plan my honeymoon?

Jetting off on a romantic honeymoon is a great way to celebrate your newlywed status, but many couples aren't sure how or if they should plan a honeymoon during the pandemic. With so much uncertainty around travel, the question remains: Can you still plan a honeymoon in 2021?

"My biggest advice for couples thinking about honeymooning in 2021 is to be flexible," said Janessa White, co-founder of Simply Eloped. "We're still seeing a lot of lockdowns for certain countries. We're also seeing a lot of countries that are prohibiting travel from particular countries and that includes from the U.S."

That being said, if you do want to plan for brighter days, working with a travel agency or guided tour program can help alleviate some of the work associated with planning a honeymoon during COVID-19.

"That’s the beauty of going guided and leaning on the experts, especially for such a special occasion like a honeymoon. We’ll take care of all of the details and are consistently monitoring destinations and restrictions to prepare for any last-minute changes that may arise, to alleviate any worries or concerns," Melissa DaSilva, U.S. president of travel company Trafalgar, said.

If you feel better about booking something now to lock in your travel dates, you can always purchase travel insurance so you don't have to worry about losing money.

"Travel insurance is always recommended, whether you're planning a honeymoon in the middle of a pandemic or not. You'll have peace of mind knowing that, should travel to your honeymoon destination become off-limits, you'll be reimbursed or credited," White said. "When you're purchasing an expensive trip such as a honeymoon, make sure that you read the travel insurance policy's fine print, since not all policies are created the same, and keep in mind that some may not cover your change of plans due to a specific reason."

For any wedding, vendor or other event insurance needs, visit our website at www.wedcov.com

Reference: Today.com Planning 2021 Wedding.