Etiquette for a Postponed Wedding

If you have to postpone your wedding, it's usually due to a death or illness in the family or a national disaster such as a flood in the area of the wedding.

Guests

You need to let the guests know that you're postponing the wedding as soon as possible, because many may have to cancel hotel rooms and travel plans.

Announcement

If there is enough time and you've already sent out invitations, you should send out an announcement stating your postponement and the new date. It's common to include the reason for postponement on the announcement.

Invitations

If you haven't sent out the invitations, let friends and family members who know about the date that the wedding has been postponed. Send out a card with the invitations announcing the new date. It looks much nicer than crossing out the date on the invitation.

New Date

If you haven't selected a new wedding date, you should call or send an email to all guests letting them know the wedding has been postponed. Then send out invitations with the new date.

Gifts

Don't return gifts if you seriously plan on rescheduling the wedding within a few months of the original date.

References

• Wedding Etiquette Tips