Wedding Cancellation Wording
Cancelling a wedding is a sad and painful endeavour, but as the saying goes: “Better a broken engagement today, than a broken home tomorrow.” Firstly it’s important to realise that, regardless of the reasons behind it, a cancelled wedding is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. Secondly, you don’t have to feel obliged to explain yourself or supply guests with reasons for the cancellation – all your family and friends need to know for now is that the wedding is off. That’s it.
The best way to inform your guests is through a short and sweet note or email. Once again you need not supply any reasons or apologise deeply for the cancelled affair – after all, if they love you, they’ll support your decision regardless of any inconvenience it might cause them. A simple two-liner can say everything that needs to be said, for instance:
Tina Spencer and Jake Johnson hereby regret to inform you that the wedding of 20 March 2020 has been cancelled. For inquiries, please contact Jake on 006 050 3322.
OR
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the wedding of Tina Spencer and Jake Johnson has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. For further inquiries, please contact Anna Thomas (maid of honour) at [email protected]
OR
We regret to inform you that our wedding of 20 March 2020 has been cancelled by mutual consent. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Further instructions and arrangements will be given at a later stage.
If it’s less than a month to go until the wedding and you know of guests that have already made travel arrangements, it’s courteous to inform them via telephone rather than email. However this is not a call that you should be making yourself as you shouldn't be subjecting yourself to unnecessary questions and insensitive remarks that might upset you during this difficult time. Instead, call upon your bridal party to take this burden off your shoulders and have them contact the guests as soon as possible.
In terms of service providers, read through all your contracts and check whether deposits will be retained or fines charged. Even if this is the case, some service providers might be willing to make an exception and write off fines if the wedding was cancelled due to sensitive reasons. While the cancellation isn't something you want to discuss with family and friends, it might be in your best interest to be open with your vendors and provide a reason for the cancellation. Remember, unlike your guests, service providers don’t know you personally so there’s no risk of gossip and slander.
In the meantime, switch off your phone, spoil yourself and let the bridal party handle the rest – after all, they’re there to support you, come what may!
Photo Credit: www.mayowynnebaxter.co.uk
