Ruffled By Grace: Novel Coronavirus Update
To all my treasured couples, potential couples, and colleagues:
This update is regarding the Novel Coronavirus. Many of you have already reached out, and I realize that you have many questions surrounding your upcoming weddings and vow renewals. This note is to update you on my Ruffled By Grace plan for flexibility and scheduling concerning events slated to take place over the next few months.
There is much fear, anxiety and panic surrounding the virus. However, taking steps to be prepared and make prudent decisions will help us to be calm, even in anxious times. Collectively, we are in this together. It’s going to be imperative to treat one another kindly and to react to the world around us gracefully, over the coming weeks and months.
At the very same time, it is “ok” to voice our concerns and our fears. I am concerned for our communities, particularly our hospitals and healthcare professionals who are being overloaded by those suffering. I am praying for the most vulnerable, and for those who are languishing in economic distress because of the spread of the virus. Indeed, there is much to consider right now.
I am also concerned for those who are making difficult decisions concerning travel, for whatever reason. For those who have been planning weddings or vow renewals with me: I share in your devastation; I know that so many of you have dreamed of this day for a long time. If you have been forced to change your plans or cancel, know that I share in your disappointment.
The situation continues to change rapidly, both here in France and abroad. For those of you who have not yet made a decision regarding your event, be sure to check the resources that I have included at the bottom of this letter. There is much uncertainty about what the coming weeks will bring. It will also largely depend upon how we work to flatten the curve.
If you are still considering your travel plans, I encourage you to look at reputable sources, and be informed about what travel restrictions and quarantine recommendations have been put into place. Know the travel recommendations both for the country in which you reside and in France.
It pains me to think about weddings being cancelled, but I want to reassure you, my couples, that I will work with you to reschedule your events. To this end, I am putting into place an emergency plan that goes above and beyond what is stated in my contract:
- There will be no change fees for couples wishing to change their event date.
- There will be no time change fees because I understand that changing your date may also affect your ceremony time.
- Retainer fees will be retained and can be applied to your event for the next year.
- I will work to help you reschedule all of your other vendors.
- There will be no additional fees for vendor assistance now, or with your future booking date.
- Retainer fees will still be held by me, for all events. However, I will work with couples individually to provide the best possible outcome for both of us.
Please know that I want the very best for you as a couple and want nothing more than to tell your love story. I also understand that decisions must be made, and that situations are changing very rapidly. I am promising increased flexibility and a mountain of understanding as we work through this together.
With love and grace,
Michelle
Here are some excellent resources for you as you are discerning your next steps.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-visitors-to-france/
https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus
For American travelers:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html
Here is some pertinent information about why social distancing is important, and how we must work to flatten the curve, to help ease the burden on our hospitals and healthcare systems:
