Most people were so excited to say goodbye to 2020, but 2021 has been challenging in a whole new way. Like most industries, the wedding industry has been turned upside down. We are all doing our best to navigate this brand new territory, but to tell you the truth, many of us are really struggling right now.
Every wedding pro I have talked to this year is completely overworked and can’t keep up. We are trying so hard to be there for each and every one of our clients, but the truth is we are experiencing a whole new type of busy this wedding season. The postponed 2020 weddings are now on top of all 2021 bookings (meaning there are many weekends where we are working multiple weddings back-to-back). 2022 is expected to be even busier and we are seeing that in the number of new inquiries we have been receiving. It’s double and triple the amount of work than is traditionally expected in a year.
Postponements have added hundreds of emails per account, making it more difficult to keep up and easier to miss details.
Wedding pros are currently working more weddings than they normally do.
Staffing shortages mean there aren’t a lot of outsourcing options and financial loss from 2020 makes this cost-prohibitive for many.
We’ve been experiencing a higher volume of inquiries during wedding season (which normally occurs in the off season).
The cost of supplies has dramatically increased, which is eating into profit margins and/or causing the client’s cost to increase.
Deliveries and shipments are also more expensive and/or delayed due to labor shortages.
All of this is taking a toll on the mental health of wedding pros.
We know this isn’t the ideal wedding planning experience and it genuinely breaks our hearts because you truly matter to us. If you didn’t, we wouldn’t be here. The level of stress and overtime would have any of us closing if not for caring about your special day. Please see that as our token of love for you in whatever small way that can be unpacked and understood.
So what I’m asking is for everyone to give one another grace. Whether you are engaged or another wedding pro, we are all facing so many challenges right now. I’m asking for grace in response times to emails and phone calls and grace in forgetting a detail or making a mistake. Please know that we are working around the clock and doing the best we can to ensure your wedding day is amazing.
XOXO
I realize this applies to most industries right now, so I hope that everyone will join me in extending this grace to everyone we encounter on a daily basis.