The NZ government has banned the gathering on 100 people of more for indoor events

It’s been a rough year this week for small businesses, weddings and worldwide with the effects of coronavirus covid-19. Here is my latest updates in regards to the latest ban by the Ministry of Health in regards to non essential indoor events of over 100 people or more. For more official facts and advisory, please refer to the official Covid-19 link and Ministry of Health websites.

If your wedding has been effected by this ban - here are the options and contingencies available for you.

If you wish to proceed with your wedding

look at reducing your numbers for any portion of your wedding day which is indoors to less than 90 people - this allows you to have any vendors like catering and bar staff and your photographer to be present
cull any guests +1 eg partners or look to reduce down to only immediate family and closest friends and family
advise any guests who have travelled overseas to not attend if they are still in the 14 day self isolation period
advise any guests who are sick to not attend as per government guidelines
check with your venue - as they will be carrying all the risk and subsequent fines and penalties if they are caught hosting your event with more than a 100 people

If you’re unable to proceed with your wedding due to Covid-19

I am happy to transfer your wedding booking to a new date within 12 months of your booking
when looking into new dates - try looking at rescheduling to a midweek wedding as this will allow the likely hood of your current vendors involved to still be available
let me know as soon as possible - the more time we have the better

What things I have in place to shoot your wedding day

I’m advising against doing the large full group photo as per government guidelines regarding social distancing
will be advising limiting the number of formal group photos to immediate family and parents
limiting photos to up to your first dance - and will not be documenting dance floor antics, again, at the advice of the current health guidelines
If I suspect a guests is sick or has travelled and not carried out the governments 14 day isolation period, I will leave at my own discretion - please advise guests not to attend if they fall into this category
Feel free to give me the shaka or head nod to say hi, as it pains me to say it, no handshakes or hugs will be given by me during this time

Updates are happening daily during this time, as a sole trader I am trying my best to keep everyone informed and keeping up to date with the current situation, so apologies if there are things that I have missed or feel free to bring things to my attention as I am a one man band wearing many hats.

Big love team!
Dave

www.davidle.co.nz

Wedding days booked and how will the Coronavirus effect it?

Hey Team,

Thought I’d reach out regarding your current wedding booking and the situation with the Coronavirus and it’s possible implications, especially for people travelling into New Zealand during the next month (March-June 2020) at this stage.

As the situation is still really fluid things can change regarding regulations and procedures so first off, the best site to get the up to date and accurate official information is the Ministry of Health website - link here

I won’t go into specifics of the virus as I’m only your photographer, but here’s the contingency I’ve put in place for you guys in respect with what I can try to do or control our end.

My contingencies

I’ve got a network of NZ based photographers who will cover and shoot your wedding if I was to become unable to
If you have to postpone your wedding day due to being unable to attend due to Coronavirus, I’m happy to let you move your booking within 12 month period where possible subject to availability
I’m still happy to document your wedding

Things to plan for

If travelling from overseas - as of 15/03/20 the NZ Government has imposed a mandatory 14 day self isolation period. So anybody attending your wedding will need to factor this in
Guests who are showing signs of being sick should be advised not to attend your wedding especially if you have guests who are elderly or have pre existing health conditions - this one is a little tricky as with this current virus, hosts do not show symptoms in the first few days - but if someone has cold and flu like symptoms they should really stay away
Look into getting Wedding Insurance - this will help recoup or cover any costs that might occur if you have to postpone your wedding day Event Cover | Canstar | Crombie Lockwood
If you have a band booked in for your day - just another PSA to guests to respect their equipment especially microphones, had a few conversations with bands over the past few months and this seems to be a common occurrence which in turn has lead to them getting sick in general, so even more of a little tid bit to think about for Mikey in accounts who enjoys a few beersies

Again, it’s still a pretty fluid situation and time we are in, I just wanted to reach to you just to let you know I’m doing my bit in the background wherever possible. Feel free to hit me up with any questions or if you want to go over anything and I’ll happily answer. My personal take on it is, I’m still fully pumped to shoot your wedding and just commonsense basic hygiene which everyone should of been doing anyway we’ll be sweet. And we’ll just be extra cautious with making sure Nana or old Uncle John Boy who has a few ills is kept extra safe.

Again, reach out, I’m here to help answer anything.

Stay clean and stay safe team!
Dave

Basic hygiene, cleaning your hands, sneezing into you arm (not ya hands) and adhering to the Ministry and local health advice. Photo Cred Andrea Stephens Photography

The Ministry of Health advise the following “everyone can help by ensuring good health etiquette – washing hands for twenty seconds, sneezing into your arm and not touching your face.”

The majority of cases are mild, to get the best facts stick to official government sites, here’s a link to the Ministry of Healths information on the the virus and its symptoms.

WEDDING INSURANCE

Finally, great time to look into getting wedding insurance. Things can happen. Your booking retainer is non-refundable and the same will most likely apply to the rest of your vendors and suppliers you book. If you have an inkling something could pop up or you’re planning your wedding in a different location. I highly recommend getting wedding insurance to cover any costs if you do have to cancel ya big day!

Event Cover | Canstar | Crombie Lockwood

Covid-19 and New Zealand Governments restriction on indoor events over 100 people

How will coronavirus eg Covid-19 effect my wedding day?

WEDDING INSURANCE