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Brides spend hours planning the perfect wedding. We choose the ceremony venue, our dress, our brides maids and their dresses, our gift registries, reception hall, food, the cake, the photographer, and the details go on and on.

But do you ever stop to think about "what if?" What if you lose your ceremony venue or reception hall? Do you have a backup plan? You should. Brides in Fort Wayne, Indiana found out the hard way that reception halls can close with little notice. Fortunately for them, they'll get a refund. But with short notice, they will be hard-pressed to find a new hall.

So what do you do?

Have a backup
Even after you book your venue, keep a backup (or two) in mind. Can the church handle the reception in a pinch? Maybe a local favorite restaurant? It may not be your first choice, but don't let it ruin your day. Be as flexible as you can.

But don't reprint your invitations
Did you print your reception venue on your invitations? Don't reprint your expensive invitations. Send a short, printed note or a post card letting your attendees know of the change. Losing your venue can be costly as it is, don't further blow your budget by spending more than you need to.

Consider insurance
If you think there's a possibility that something like this will blow your budget, consider wedding insurance. While not for everyone, it might be worthwhile if your budget is super-tight or if you stand to lose a lot of money.

Losing a venue can be frustrating, but it doesn't need to ruin your big day. With a little contingency planning, you can still have a great day.

Image: Cameron Nordholm licensed under Creative Commons