Preparing for a Storm
Posted on 06/24/2019 in FAQs
Southeastern North Carolina is, we think, the most beautiful place along the East Coast, but unfortunately, it ends up being in the “cone of uncertainty” during Hurricane Season quite a bit. When this happens, we have wedding couples calling us in tears from a month out to just days before their wedding. While the majority of the time these storms spin off in another direction, sometimes, they come right in like an unwelcomed guest.
Keep in mind, that as business owners, we also must decide if it is safe for our employees to work in these conditions. Living here, our employees have to prepare their homes and their families for possible destruction when these storms come through. This process takes time ahead of the storm.
Storms can also knock down trees, take out electricity, cause floods, etc. These things can happen before, during, or after a storm. These are all examples of conditions keeping us from getting to your event, should you decide to move forward.
Please, please, we do not want you to take this as us try to scare you, but we do want you to fully understand what you are risking if you should decide to take your chances days before a hurricane hits the coast. We will do our best to work with you and give our best advice but the final decision is up to the client on to move forward or reschedule. Below are some guidelines but please understand there is no “black & white” with this situation.
We have no affiliation with, but we strongly recommend that ALL clients obtain wedding cancellation/postponement insurance. It usually costs a few hundred dollars and covers all of your wedding related costs – vendor deposits, accommodations, attire, catering, etc. The insurance typically has to be obtained a minimum of two weeks prior to the event and prior to the storm being named.
We have known past clients to work with:
*Markel Insurance www.markeleventinsurance.com 855.422.5944
*eWed Insurance www.ewedinsurance.com
*Travelers Insurance 888.342.5977
*Client’s Current Insurance Carrier
If you have any questions regarding wedding cancellation/postponement insurance, please contact one of the above insurance carriers. We cannot speak for these companies or give quotes for their services. Again, we have no affiliation with them, but we do recommend it. We have come up with some questions that we recommend asking your provider:
- When is the last day that I can purchase cancellation insurance?
- What is covered under cancellation insurance? (Venue, Photographer, Florist, Catering, Etc)
- Does the insurance only cover my event if the storm is during the time/day of my event? What is the storm has caused lasting damages to the venue, vendors, or area that lasts weeks later and keeps my event from happening?
So what happens on our end IF a tropical storm is developing? Here is an example of a timeline to help you understand both sides of the process:
14 Days Out: Developing Hurricane / Tropical Depression somewhere in the Ocean
Client Options:
*Wait and see what happens.
*Reschedule Event with no penalties up to a year, any day that we are available.
7-10 Days Out: Developing Hurricane / Tropical Depression somewhere in the Ocean
Caterer has potentially already ordered rentals, linens, specialty food items, serviceware, etc. Any special items are now locked in and client is 100% responsible for covering those fees.*
Client Options:
*Wait and see what happens.
*Reschedule Event with added *incurred expenses up to a year, any day that we are available.
3-5 Days Out: Category 1 (at Minimum) and we are in the Cone of Uncertainty
Caterer has already ordered everything, food, special items, beverages, serviceware, rentals, linens, etc.
2 Days Out: Category 1 (at minimum) and we are in the Path of Hurricane/Tropical Storm
Caterer has already ordered everything, food, special items, beverages, serviceware, rentals, linens, etc. Caterer has started prep on certain food items.
Government officials are beginning mandatory and voluntary evacuations. Bridges to islands are closed when wind reaches above a specified amount mph. Rental companies cancel reservations for safety of guests. Venues decide on keeping or canceling reservations for safety reasons.
At this point, we need a FINAL DECISION. We will do our absolute best to work with you underer these circumstances to come up with a mutual safe agreement. If the client has still decided to move forward at this point in time, they are 100% responsible for all expeneses.
Feel free to contact us with any questions that you have after reading our policy. We hope for perfect weather all year through!
