UPDATE 22/3/2020

OWING TO NEW RESTRICTIONS ABOUT TO BE PUT IN PLACE. 

WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER 48 HOURS TO SEE WHAT CAN GO AHEAD.

I am very pleased to advise that I am continuing to provide services however am monitoring the situation on a daily basis.

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation develops, the best way to protect yourself is the same as you would against any respiratory infection, that is,  Practice good hygiene by:

• • • • making sure to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub
      • cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or a flexed elbow
      • observe social distancing of 1.5 metres and avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms
      • make sure you stay home in isolation if you are sick   

Due to the daily developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, some venues and vendors have reduced service, but I have not; however I am of course being very cautious for your safety, and for mine, and so have instituted a community safety plan which includes the use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser sprays.

• • • • • • NEW CLIENTS
          • FUNERALS
          • WEDDINGS
          • WHAT TO DO IF YOUR VENUE CANCELS

NEW CLIENTS

1. You MUST phone to make an appointment.
2. When you phone, you may be asked certain questions to ensure public safety.
3. Subject to availability, I will meet you at a mutually agreed location, but I cannot accept people at my home at present however I am happy to meet in a café or public place. Meeting at your own home will be discussed and decided upon.
4. We will not shake hands,
5. I will NOT meet with you if you are sick, have a temperature or cough, or a runny nose or if I become sick, have a temperature or cough, or a runny nose (other than allergies)
6. YOU MUST maintain a safe distance at all times.
7. YOU MUST have washed or sanitised your hands which must be dry and clean when we meet.
8. Any documents you present, MUST be dry and clean and readable without my touching them.
9. If you are unable to comply, or I suspect for any reason, that you have not complied, with the safety protocols, the meeting will be cancelled.

FUNERALS

1. We MUST speak over the phone to make an appointment to meet.
2. You may be asked certain questions to ensure public safety.
3. I cannot accept people at my home at present, but our meeting can take place via video link, a public place or at your home following discussion.
4. I will NOT meet with you if you are sick, have a temperature or cough, or a runny nose or if I become sick, have a temperature or cough, or a runny nose (other than allergies)
5. If for any reason I am unable to attend, I will do my utmost to find a replacement.
6. YOU MUST maintain a safe distance at all times.
7. YOU MUST have washed or sanitised your hands which must be dry and clean when we meet.
8. Any document or photographs you present, MUST be dry and clean and readable without my touching them but digital copies can be transmitted via an online medium.
9. At the funeral, hand shaking, and hugging should be avoided.
10. Seating will be spaced and there may be a limit on capacity of the venue.
11. To avoid cross contamination, there may not be a Guest Register
12. The Chapel management may institute additional safety protocols.
13. Grave side committals have fewer restrictions as they are outdoors, but safe distance requirements still apply.
14. Guests may take part via video link in their homes or cars (anywhere there is internet access and a device with an appropriate app)

WEDDINGS

Options for your booked wedding are:

1. Continue but with hygiene practices adopted.
2. Reduce the physical presence of guests to minimise risk.
3. Keep the numbers but video link guests to anywhere there is the internet, a device and an app
4. Have a smaller ceremony now and a larger Celebration of Marriage later
5. Postpone your wedding
6. If someone is sick, we could possibly still proceed but with a high level of safety protocol e.g. protective gear (could actually be fun and make it a wedding to truly remember)

Here are some additional considerations

1. You must postpone if you are sick, have a temperature or cough, or a runny nose.
2. I will not attend if I become sick, have a temperature or cough, or a runny nose (other than allergies)
3. You can NOT have guests in attendance who have recently travelled overseas
4. YOU MUST maintain a safe distances at all times.
5. YOU MUST have washed or sanitised your hands which must be dry and clean.
6. Any documents MUST be dry and clean and readable.
7. At the wedding, hand shaking, and hugging should be avoided but the ‘first kiss’ is your own choice.
8. Seating MUST be spaced and there may be a limit on capacity of the venue.
9. To avoid cross contamination, there may not be a Guest Register
10. The Chapel management may institute additional safety protocols.
11. Outdoor weddings may have fewer restrictions.
12. Guests may be able to take part via video link
13. If anyone falls ill after the wedding, you must notify me and the guests immediately

WHAT TO DFO IF YOUR VENUE CANCELS

Venues and vendors need your business to survive, so please be patient, kind and understanding.

The CV-19 pandemic has significantly impacted upon the events industry and livelihoods and some businesses may not survive extended closure.
If your date cannot go ahead (as confirmed with venues and/or vendors), here are a few simply tips to follow:-

1. Create a Social Media Group (e.g. Facebook, WhatsApp etc) for family & friends already invited
2. Announce your date has been POSTPONED (not cancelled because you will definitely still be getting married in the future).
3. Chat with the venue in regard to transferring ALL costs to a future date. Yes there may be additional costs or penalties, but these will be insignificant in comparison to them applying the T&C’s of your original contract.
4. Once you have that date, contact each and every vendor letting them know that:

• • • • because of the new restrictions imposed, the venue has advised your day cannot go ahead as planned but it has been rescheduled to <new date> and you hope they are happy to transfer your existing invoices to that date.

1. 5. Monitor those who can assist and those who cannot.
   6. For those who can, ask for an updated invoice.
   7. For those who CAN’T, ensure you reach an agreement in regard to how to cancel any existing arrangements . As most will be relieved you have a new date, hopefully there will be very few who cannot transfer.
   8. For those who can’t commit to your new date, ask them for recommendations and/or pop a post in the group.