We think we can speak for all Pittsburgh wedding vendors when we say our hearts go out to those couples whose wedding plans have been affected by the COVID pandemic. From photographers to florists to planners and more, so many professionals have risen to the occasion and are going above and beyond to help in any way – big or small – that they can. Whether it’s offering virtual consultations, waiving rebooking fees, or offering discounts, Pittsburgh’s best wedding pros are doing whatever it takes to keep up the excitement and enthusiasm that is such a critical part of wedding planning. Here are just a few ways some of our Burgh Brides Vendor Guide members are accommodating those couples who have had to postpone or alter their wedding plans. Please reach out to them directly if they can help YOU!
P.S. Register for the State of the (Wedding) Union Virtual Address this Sunday, May 3 at 1 p.m.! We’ll be chatting with some of the city’s most respected wedding vendors about life after COVID-19. We’ll also be answering your questions live. Best part? It’s totally FREE!
La Pomponnee Beauty Artisans
We are rescheduling brides who are moving their wedding dates at no cost. We are refunding brides who have completely cancelled their wedding or whom we cannot accommodate in the future. We are relaxing our 4-person minimum if the bride has downsized or decides to elope. We are offering gift certificate incentives that offer an additional $10 for every $50 purchased. These can use these for their pre-wedding beauty appointments or be applied to their wedding day services. We are also offering free shipping on AVEDA products they may need to keep their hair and skin healthy before the big day.
BridgePerspective
We are offering virtual/phone consultations. In addition, we are offering $100 off our full ceremony video add-on since many of our couples anticipate a decline in attendance and but they would still like to be able to show the ceremony to their family members, especially those are older or part of at-risk populations. If a couple reaches out to us because they’ve moved their date and their original photographer/videographer isn’t available, we are offering a $200 discount. We have waived all rescheduling fees.
Krystal Healy Photography
For current clients, I’ve waived my normal change fees and rescheduled them to their new date. If I’m not available, I offer my associate photographer and, of course, will still edit the photos personally. I’m also re-making timelines for my clients who are in need. Additionally, I am doing a reduced retainer for new booking clients! It’s hard on all of us, so I figured every little thing can help. I’ve also taken the lead and helped find backup vendors for a few couples as well!
Tasty Bakery
We know this is such a hard time for everyone. For couples who still plan to get married in June, July, or August, we are offering “tastings to go” for them to pick-up curbside! We are also going to offer a complimentary mini cake for couples who were supposed to get married in May, so that they will still get to eat their cake on the original wedding date. Just a little something to try and make the day less sad!
Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh
We have worked with every couple that has asked to reschedule their reception or rehearsal dinner, even moving their event to during our Oktoberfest, which is a time that has always been blocked off for events. We are willing to do what we can to reschedule any event and greatly appreciate our guests who have rescheduled versus canceled.
JPC Event Group
We are hosting virtual venue tours and Zoom and other digital meeting options for client finalizations and consultation meetings. We are offering pick-up food tastings for catering menu planning, as well as delivery or pick-up meal ordering for homes or commercial clients, including hospital staffs. We’ve implemented courtesy date transfers with fees waived for those affected and we are allowing digital contracting for venue reservations.
Post Script Films
We are offering full refunds if a couple has to cancel their event and, of course, we are working with them to reschedule. We are also working with some other local wedding vendors on a few creative developments that will help displaced couples and we can’t wait to be a part of those!
Roost
Our proposal includes a link to a 3D tour but we are also offering to do a live virtual tour, if needed. We are working with groups who need to reschedule to alternate dates and we are also running a few specials for any new bookings through May 14, 2020.
Book your bridal shower or farewell wedding breakfast and receive a complimentary bubbly bar.
Book your rehearsal dinner and receive a complimentary cheese board display.
Book your wedding reception and receive a complimentary signature drink.
Book both your wedding ceremony and wedding reception and the ceremony fee is waived.
Book your overnight rooms and receive a complimentary room upgrade.
Steel City Selfies
We are rebooking events without penalty for currently contracted couples. We are also offering free change the dates for new bookings.
Lauren Renee Photography
I have waived all my rebooking fees from now through April 2021. I have been able to successfully reschedule all of my couples so far, and have just transferred their current contract to the new date. I have also gotten inquiries for brides looking for a new photographer because their original vendor is not available for their new date. I have offered discounted packages for these brides who still want to get married in 2020, as they have most likely lost their deposits with their original photographer.
Simply Captivating Salon
We feel absolutely terrible for our clients who have had to reschedule, postpone, and even cancel their weddings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last thing we want to do is penalize our clients for not being able to go through with their weddings as planned. We have worked with several brides to move their wedding dates, transferring all retainer and booking fees free of charge. If their original Simply Captivating stylist is not available for a new wedding date, we have done our best to accommodate clients with another available Simply Captivating stylist. If no Simply Captivating stylists are available for the new date, we are reaching out to other highly reputable Pittsburgh wedding hairstylists in our industry to find out who is available to meet our clients’ needs for the new date and sharing their businesses and contact information with our clients. Caring for our clients and helping them transition their services to a new date/new stylist (if need be) during this difficult time is our top priority. We want them to know that we understand the fear, stress, and difficulty they are facing during these unparalleled times and we want the best for them.
Oh Joyful Day
I am offering discounts on printed and digital change of date/postponement cards, as well as virtual consultations and no rebooking fees.
Community Flower Shop
We are holding back-up dates for clients and transferring all monies paid to the new dates. We also have no additional fees to do so.
Bella Sera Event Villa
We have created a virtual tour of our venue space.
Sapphire & Lace Design
We are offering phone/virtual consultations, rescheduling 2020 dates without an added fee, and offering our studio for elopements that need to take place during the lockdown.
Heinz History Center
We are offering virtual tours and consultations. For those needing alternative dates, we have waived rebooking fees.
Christina Montemurro Photography & Video
I am waiving rescheduling fees, as well as the minimum postponement notice, which is supposed to be at least 60 days out.
Owl Premier & Bridal
We are offering preservation and storage of your gown until your big day! Recently tied-the-knot? We got you too! All brides and brides-to-be will have a personal virtual consultation with our bridal director and will be able to enjoy our pick-up and delivery services in select areas. We also have a special treat for all you Burgh Brides – enjoy $25 off your gown preservation!
Luxe Redux Bridal
Brides-to-be can still say yes to the dress with our at-home try on service via Luxe in a Box. We’re also excited to announce Accessory Luxe in a Box, coming very soon!
Day of Pittsburgh
We can’t tell your story through your wedding day right now, but we’ve connected with many real Pittsburgh couples, wedding vendors, and community members to share their experience with postponing, pivoting, and having each other’s backs on our blog. Day of Pittsburgh is managing postponement communication between our spring and summer couples and their venue and vendors. We’ve also opened our 2020 availability to include Fridays and Sundays. We’re scheduling as many virtual consultations as Zoom can handle, and have been so thankful to “meet” many excited 2021 couples in the planning stages. Other than that? We’re drinking lots of wine, staying connected through Instagram and Facebook, and looking forward to telling your wedding story the way it deserves to be told: surrounded by your people, countless hugs, and LOTS of dancing!
Blossoms by Jilliann
I’m not charging any rebooking fees. I have also lowered deposit amounts and have been doing a lot of online consultations. To help my family-owned wholesale floral company, I have been offering a community flower share. Using a contact-free pick-up service, you can pay ahead and receive a nice selection of seasonal flowers, handpicked by me, to arrange at home. This is an effort help the struggling floral industry, all while sharing my love of flowers and design.
Bridal Beginning
We have tried to find balance on both ends of this crisis – humility and celebration. At the end of the day, hope is what we need. Our industry is the celebration of hope and love; it unifies families and friends and creates lasting memories. We have maintained all internal operations to stay connected to our Bridal Beginning brides via phone and email. Additionally, in the spirit of hope, we have just launched Virtual Appointments! The goal is to visually connect brides with a stylist and give them a preliminary experience to dress shopping, all while staying at home! We all need human interaction and having someone to share their wedding dress visions with creates hope and enthusiasm for what’s to come! Some brides with weddings this year are purchasing their dresses virtually as well!
Bistro To Go
Engaged couples are the most fragile during this season when their perfect plans are now uncertain. A wedding journey should be full of joy and anticipation. Bistro To Go is doing a few things to maintain the excitement.
We have forwarded calls to our cells so couples can reach us anytime. The slower pace has made it possible to engage with couples in more personal ways in this season of online everything. We are very accessible. We answer our phone and respond to emails quickly.
Our complimentary tastings have turned into a Bistro Date Night, with intimate experiences boxed to-go with flowers and dessert.
Wanderlust Weddings and Events
We are reaching out to ALL of our 2020 brides at this time, just to offer an ear and support to say we are here for them as things begin to unfold during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have also offered clients $0 fees and free additional hours/days/months at this point. For example, we have two June couples who moved to November, one of whom is a full-scale client and is considering redesigning their whole wedding being that it will now be in winter. We have offered basically five months free of planning from June through November since their date had to shift.
Overall, we have offered free consultations or questions answered via email, Instagram, DMs, etc. if moms/clients have questions. We hope we can offer insight just to make clients (and even non-clients) feel less stressed. We are trying to be supportive as best we can for all couples who are struggling!
Leeann Marie Photography
I have waived rebooking fees for couples in wedding months directly-related to COVID-19 closures and limitations. I’ve also worked to build a website dedicated to small weddings to help 2020 couples who still want to GET MARRIED, but may have regulations limiting group sizes. Check out Pittsburgh Small Weddings!
Clarissa Boutique
We are offering steaming services for gowns, veils, and bridal party dresses. Many brides had to postpone weddings and when they are rescheduled, their gowns will need to be freshened!
Bramblewood
Bramblewood has created a COVID-19 fund from which we are awarding $500 to $1000* off of our venue fee to 2020 Bramblewood couples who have had to reschedule their weddings due to the coronavirus pandemic and who are experiencing financial hardship (loss of employment/income) because of COVID-19.
* While funds last
Blush Paper Co.
We are offering virtual consultations, as well as discounts on reprints and postponement cards.
DJ TJ Harris
I’ve moved several dates at no charge and if I’m not available, I’m trying to find another DJ who is available and willing to take over the contract for the remaining balance.
Dawn Derbyshire Photography
I’ve been offering some freebies to my clients who are essential employees and I’ve been sending a few gifts to my clients who are postponing, just to brighten their day a little. I’ve also tried to be really proactive and have open lines of communication as I’m working with each couple as they hit the 60 days-out mark.
Mocha Rose Floral and Event Design
We are holding back-up dates with no fee for any 2020 couple. We are also able to schedule Zoom meetings. At our sister company, White Jasmine Lab, we are offering a 30% off code if either of the couple works as an essential employee through the end of April.
Kaitlin Powell Photography
I sent out some print credits to the couples who had to move their dates. I’m holding dates at no charge and for any couple that has moved to 2021, I’m also waiving the part of my contract that states they’d have to pay new pricing.
Fresh Cut Prints
I’m scheduling video consultations, of course. Additionally, I’m offering free digital postponement announcements and significantly reduced prices on printed postponement announcements and/or invite reprints for currently booked clients. I have also added inexpensive printable or digital postponement templates in my Etsy shop.
The Blue Daisy Floral Design
We have moved dates free of charge and are offering free additional consultations for booked couples. We are providing necessary redesign services free of charge for those who have had to change seasons or venues. Of course, we are also offering video consultations for new inquiring couples.
JL Makeup Studio & Beauty Boutique
We are moving all dates with no charge and all monies paid are transferable. We are also holding new dates with no charge. Finally, we have offered discounted virtual hair and makeup lessons or classes.
Andy Booth Productions
My primary accommodation has been flexibility with rescheduling and allowing deposits for postponed weddings to carry over to the new date.
Weddings by Alisa
I am extending waived rebooking fees to my clients.
Cakes by Colby
When I first heard about COVID-19 in the US, my first thoughts were for my brides and grooms. I could only imagine what was going through their minds. I reached out to let them know I was here for them, to help with whatever they needed. Rescheduling with no extra fee was the main focus. I just gave a bride an idea of having face masks made up with their wedding date on it to hand out to all their guests – making it a fun thing while still being safe. I had many cake tastings and design consultations that needed to be rescheduled in a timely manner. Yes, I could have had them pick up a box of cakes to taste, but that is not the real thing. My cake tastings are a like tea party with cake with tablecloths, silver service, and fine china. I didn’t want them to miss out on this important part. I get to know the couple and they get to know me. It is one of my favorite parts of the process. Hearing about all their wedding details helps me design the perfect cake for their special day! They will see my cake studio that can give them some ideas for size and designs. Their wedding day will be stress free as far as the cake is concerned. I will personally deliver and set up their cake on time.
Kelli Burns Entertainment
Of course we are doing virtual meetings and consultations with our couples.
Michael Will Photographers
We hosted a panel discussion on what brides and grooms can do to pivot/prepare and still have an amazing wedding. We talk about the current state of our industry and what we are recommending to all of our couples who have been affected by COVID-19. Here are all of the questions we answer: Do I have to move my date? What are my options? What do I need to do? What if all my vendors are not available? Will I have to pay more? Why? How and why being flexible can help you. How are weddings/events going to change? What new trends do you see?
