• Listen to your clients. Now is the time to make your couples feel better, to support them, and to pay close attention to their (new) needs. This time is not easy. Think of the emotional rollercoaster they just went through. Be empathetic.  
• The other side of the coin is to take care of yourself. Be very clear about the new normal. What are the services moving forward? One thing is to support clients and vendors to honor fees for future dates, and quite another to create something else from scratch, only because now we have more time. If you have to design or produce something from zero, that should come with a price.  
• Get intentional with your business. Redefine your purpose and that unique gift that only you can offer. Who do you serve and why do you do it? There are two coaches who have been instrumental for me to get real about my intention and purpose, even if those occasionally change. Their names are Hiro Boga and Danielle Laporte. Both of them walk you through the spiritual side of business in a very practical and real way.  
• Get smart with your business. Now is the time to revisit your work process, your services, and the way you want to do things moving forward. You might be tempted to take any client as things start getting better, and that might not be the right way for your particular case. Sean Low (The business of being creative) and Liene Stevens (Think Splendid) are some of the smartest people in the wedding industry, or any creative industry for that matter. These talented consultants have years of experience behind them, and you’ll benefit greatly just by signing up for their free newsletters.  
• Learn something new, even if it’s not something related to your business. Actually, it would be better if it is not. Create new connections between your brain cells, challenge yourself, try something different. No one is looking, so do this one for yourself. 
• Move your body, in any way or form. The Class and their digital studio, has been a game changer for me, particularly during this isolation time. 

If you would like to share anything that has been helpful to you, please do contact me!  

Assuming that you have already gone through the legal and practical options of postponing your destination wedding, here are some thoughts on what to do next.  

• Take care of yourself. I know this line is all over the internet. But truly, chill for now. You went to a very stressful series of events in order to finally make this decision. At the beginning, you thought you had an option, and soon enough it was evident that the only option was cancelling your wedding, and that is hard. Acknowledge that and then take the time, as a couple, to enjoy yourselves. 
• Check on your people. Ideally, write personal e–mails or make phone calls to your wedding guests, or at least to your wedding party and family. Show empathy towards them and their current situation. Some people might have lost their jobs or have family members who are ill, so traveling to another country, even at a future date, might not be their current priority.  
• Talk to your wedding planner, not as an urgent matter, but to establish a new normal. When will the next communication take place? Are many things pending, or not really? Is there any area you want to revisit? Do you have the option of changing some areas of the decor? Will that cost you extra?  
• I really don’t suggest to change your wedding plans completely, but do take time to intentionally define the most important aspects of your wedding, and realistically see how much room you have to perfect the wedding experience you want to create.  
• Try to find excitement again. Imagine that you might be dancing at your wedding to a song yet to be written!  
• Maybe… get a second dress! 

My wish to you and to all of us, is to find, together, the gift that lies within this situation. When things get tough, I often think: “show me the gift within this situation”. Unfortunately, I don’t know who to credit this line to, but it has helped me before in moments of darkness. 

No matter what the actual situation is, and no matter how hard or painful, I believe that we can find the gift that comes with it. Please know that I don’t mean to downplay or deny the gravity of the problem in matter, neither do I have an “everything will be alright” attitude. I believe that not everything will be alright, and that there already is and there will be more loss than we’re prepared for. But I also believe we can find the gift that the situation is trying to give us.

For me, it is showing up in this particular way. I already went through the denial of things, switching into distraction mode by watching Netflix and sitting on the couch all day. However, I soon realized that in order for me to really grow and show up for the people I serve, I need to stay present, suffer the pain and accept uncertainty. 

I know more than ever that my work is way beyond getting logistics right, beyond the beauty, and beyond achieving the perfect wedding picture. My job is to walk my clients through creating a wedding celebration that is, above all, meaningful, memorable and unique to them. 

My intention is to sort problems as they come, and they always do, with compassion, empathy and what sometimes feels like a swirl of a magic wand.

Today, more than ever before, I believe that couples and families will intentionally create a wedding for themselves, their loved ones and for the joy of their souls. 

I continue to be grateful for being part of an industry that celebrates love, connection and joy. I work with and for people that I respect, admire and love. This is the ultimate gift. I know that pain is a doorway to growth, and my invitation is to welcome it.

When traveling, I really enjoy going back memory lane, remembering all the clients that make my work possible; all the wonderful women, who certainly wowed me over and over again. Its no surprise that my favorite clients are genuinely special. They’re strong, fun and truly authentic. My clients are confident and never afraid to ask for help. They know their priorities, trust their judgment and trust the team they’ve hired.

Elegant in many different ways, my favorite bride appreciates and values high quality, innovation and creativity. She loves adventure and is open to new cultures and flavors. And ultimately, she wants her wedding to be a celebration of love. What else could I ask for?