It’s no secret that supply chain issues are impacting nearly every facet of life in the United States—including the wedding industry. This is especially concerning since it's expected that there will be around 2.5 million weddings this year, the most in the country since 1984! While supply chain issues are expected to continue for the remainder of this year, there are many ways couples, vendors, and planners can work to keep these shortages from interfering with weddings and events. We've got 7 top tips for you, so read on!
1. Start Early
The number of weddings planned for this year and next will be off the charts, so the more time you have to find a plan a, b, and c the better, says Monika Kreinberg of Furever Us. “Many planners and couples have realized that to get what they want, they need to plan in advance,” she says.
2. Have a Plan B
Although you have your heart set on certain wants, you need to be prepared to pivot to an alternative if necessary. With that in mind, always have a plan B – as well as a plan C if you really want to play it safe – so that all of your bases are covered in case of delays or cancellations.
"It boils down to supply and demand," Shane McMurray, CEO of The Wedding Report told Good Morning America. "As people put off their wedding because of the pandemic, all of a sudden we've got this flux of people getting married."
3. Be Flexible
"If you or your couple's first choice is unavailable, make sure that you look at other companies that could provide this type of service—or be flexible to adjust to their schedule," says Kreinberg. Venues are booked in advance, but sometimes they will have cancellations or dates that may not be your preferred day but works just as well.
4. Budget for Necessities
If you can’t be flexible about certain planning aspects of your wedding, then you should expect to pay more for those items that you have deemed “necessities.” As Kreinberg points out, sometimes paying a premium will allow you to have what you want.
5. Keep Communication Open
Make sure you stay in frequent touch with all of your vendors throughout the planning process. This will help ensure that you’re all on the same page. In other words, don’t assume that “no news is good news.”
6. Don’t Get Too Specific
With certain aspects of the planning process, it might be better to be vague with some of your details, says Keith Willard of Keith Willard Events. For example, when menu planning, opt for beef, fish, or chicken instead of a specific dish. This will help dramatically when it comes to supply chain issues.
7. Contact Sellers Directly
Oftentimes when we make a purchase it can be through a second or third party, which means that they might not have what you need, but the original seller could, notes Jake Rheude, Vice President of Marketing for Red Stag Fulfillment. Finding a direct seller can help to get what you need with less hassle.
Aisle Planner Tools Will Help You Stay on Top
The most important thing to remember is that you have a whole suite of Aisle Planner tools at your disposal to make sure you're able to plan ahead, organize to perfection, and work collaboratively with your clients to avoid feeling the added pressure of supply chain issues! Check out some helpful resources that will make your life easier:
Hero photo courtesy of Kathleen Fisher Photography, featuring Emily Talerico from Behind the Veil Weddings
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