These are weird, wild times.

In this new Coronavirus world we all share, it seems that there is little else to talk about.

The daily social media storm, the barrage of Covid-19 updates, a fear-mongering press, and self-isolation is enough to drive anybody crazy!

We are all facing so much uncertainty, and can only imagine how stressful this is to anybody planning a destination wedding!

At Fun In The Sun Weddings, we wanted to reach out and let you know our intention is to support you however we can. We are Riviera Maya wedding photographers based in Playa del Carmen, Mexico and would be lying if we said that as small business owners we didn’t feel nervous about the long term economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Will our business be hit hard by Covid-19? Most definitely. But will we survive it? Absolutely. We are choosing to control whatever we can, and let go of what we can’t. After all, you can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.

And so, we have created an action plan to take the uncertainty out of our client communications, so you have one less thing to stress over.

How will we help?

During this Covid-19 craziness, our core business values will go into overdrive. We always aim to put our clients at ease so they can have fun working with us. This is achieved through a dedication to kindness, flexibility, empathy and respect.

Now, your health and safety will be our top priority. Rest assured, we are up-to-date in our education from reputable sources and doing all we can to stay in great health to not contract the virus. We promise to be 100% honest and transparent so that we do not put you at unnecessary risk.

 

Precautions we will take:

Our photographers will wash their hands (or sanitize) thoroughly and frequently during all photo sessions and will avoid touching their faces.

We will not shake your hand, or greet you with the hug and kiss that is customary in Mexico. We can blow kisses, do a virtual high five, or throw each other a peace sign instead! Please don’t worry about us touching you to make adjustments during your photos. We are skilled at explaining, from a distance, what we need from you in order to take a great photo.

Unless you request a specific shot that requires us to get closer, we will maintain a 6-foot distance, and choose lenses that allow us to do so.

Would you prefer that we wear a mask? No problemo.

Social distancing is the name of the game, and we promise to minimize our exposure to the Coronavirus by following the guidelines set out by the CDC; avoiding large gatherings, staying close to home, and of course steering clear of anybody who is sick.

Coronavirus advice for your destination wedding

 

First things first: Deep breath. You can still have your dream wedding! This WILL pass eventually.

If you haven’t already started a daily regimen of Coronavirus stress management, today is the day. A calm, clear head will make everything much easier to deal with, we promise!

 

Guest communication is key

Prepare yourself to have a smaller guest list than you originally thought. Respect that everyone is worried about the outcome of this pandemic. Most of your loved ones will get hit financially, and may not be able to afford an expensive international vacation. Some will be worried about the risk of exposure during travel and getting sick. Remember to be kind and compassionate with your friends and family.

Keep open communication with your guests with everything from up-to-date (relevant and reputable!) Coronavirus information in Mexico, and any changes to the travel itinerary or precautions you are taking as the host. Your wedding website is a fantastic tool for this!

 

Think outside the box

If you worry about your grandparents, or anyone with health issues not being able to attend, you have options and just need to get creative. You can live stream your wedding pretty easily these days, and you can hire a videographer to make a cinematic film for them to cherish later. (Yup, we can help you find the best wedding videographers in the Riviera Maya!)

This is a great time to consider elopement or a super intimate destination wedding with only your nearest and dearest. These weddings are some of our favorites to photograph. They are always super special and emotionally charged!

 

The logistics

Look into your travel insurance policy, and make sure you understand the fine print as it relates to Coronavirus. Insurance companies are NOT in the business of helping people, and you should expect that they will be sneaky.

Considering a postponement or cancellation? Please be candid with all of your wedding vendors. Businesses that deal with destination weddings are going to take a huge hit to their bottom line this year, and last-minute cancellations are the worst since they have not been planned for.

Coronavirus FAQs for our wedding clients

Our fingers and toes are crossed in hopes that we will be back to beach wedding happily-ever-afters by June 2020. However, we do appreciate the uncertainty you are facing now, and how awful it must feel to consider if you should cancel or postpone your destination wedding. Our hearts go out to you!

So much can change over the next few weeks and months, so please keep us updated on your decision. We will do whatever we can to help that be a smooth transition.

 

What if you decide to postpone your destination wedding due to Coronavirus?

You have our complete support and understanding if you choose to push back your wedding date right now. International travel bans, quarantine, concern for the health of your guests and yourselves, financial fears…there are so many factors to support postponing until it is a better time.

Please reach out to us ASAP to let us know your plans. Your full deposit will transfer over to your new wedding date, as long as we are not already booked.

 

What if you decide to cancel your destination wedding due to Coronavirus?

Maybe the Covid-19 pandemic has left you deflated, and you don’t want to consider postponing your wedding. That’s okay, we get it.

But you still want to get married, don’t you?

Wanting to be as flexible as possible for you, here are two options:

Option #1: Get legally married at home and have a symbolic elopement ceremony in Mexico when you can travel! We will adjust your package accordingly, suggest locations, officiate your ceremony, and help with all the little details as we have friends across all industries here who we love and trust. Trust that we will help you reschedule your date so that we can be available, and your deposit will transfer over to that new date.

Option #2: Bring your wedding dress down to Mexico on a future vacation, and we will happily capture those beach wedding photos you have been dreaming of!

 

What if our lead photographer gets sick before your wedding?

It can happen. Photographers are human too and do get very sick from time to time. Whether Marc Andrew, our lead photographer, contracts Coronavirus, Dengue or some other tropical disease, our response will always be the same:

1. We will contact you immediately to let you know.
2. He will be replaced by another professional photographer who we have worked with in previous weddings, and who is an expert in the field of Riviera Maya wedding photography.
3. Your photos will still be edited by our team, staying consistent with the style and brand that you hired us for.

Coronavirus FAQs for Lifestyle photo sessions

That honeymoon, engagement trip, vow renewal or family vacation might not be happening now. Travel is being disrupted worldwide and it is the time to stay close to home. Yes, it’s a HUGE bummer, and the last thing we want you to be worried about is your portrait session with us!

We sympathize with a thwarted holiday to fun in the sun! We will be as flexible as possible for you.

 

What if you decide to cancel or postpone your trip due to Coronavirus?

Whether you decide to postpone or cancel your session due to travel restrictions, we will happily apply your deposit towards a future date. After all, you will be back to visit Mexico sometime…sooner than later, we hope! Please just let us know your plans to reschedule so we are on the same page.

 

What if Marc gets sick before your session date?

Worried about Marc getting sick for your shoot? Whether he contracts Coronavirus, Dengue or just a common cold that puts him flat on his back, here is what will happen:

1. We will contact you immediately to let you know.
2. Alternate dates will be suggested if the situation and type of sickness allow it.
3. If an alternate date is not a possibility then he will be replaced by another professional photographer who we have worked with on multiple occasions, and who is an expert in the field of Riviera Maya lifestyle photography.
4. Your photos will still be edited by our team, staying consistent with the style and brand that you hired us for.

 

Okay guys, the take away is this:

We are all in this together. Let’s be compassionate and respectful to one another. Now, more than ever, it is important to support our fellow humans and keep in mind that every single one of us has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

We are here for you, and we are going to get through this. Stay steady, strong, healthy and calm.

Still have questions? Just holler. Contact us here now.

Did this article help put your mind at ease? Share the love with us by commenting below.

 

Want to learn more about Fun In The Sun Weddings?

• Go to our Wedding Photography Service Page now.

The post Destination Weddings and Photoshoots: Our Coronavirus Strategy appeared first on Fun in the Sun Weddings.

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