LOVED-UP Limestone Coast couples are adapting their big days to COVID-19 restrictions ahead of the spring wedding season, with guest caps and changing travel restrictions favouring relaxed and flexible ceremonies.
Celebrants Ruth Cameron and Judi Paul have both played a major role in countless wedding ceremonies and were expecting to again cater for dozens of couples later this year, albeit with fewer onlookers.
Wedding guest lists are currently capped by the one person per two square metres rule, so room or venue size – regardless if it is indoor or outdoor – will determine the number of attendees permitted.
Ms Paul said despite the restrictions which led to cancellations and postponement, celebrants still had couples planning to marry at the end of the season.
“There were quite a few brides who were a little concerned about the situation because of the amount of effort going into the wedding and the anticipation for their big day,” Ms Paul said.
“Some brides had family coming from overseas, interstate or some were in nursing homes and could not make it work.
“This meant there were quite a few weddings which were postponed so relatives and friends can still be there on their big day.”
Ms Paul said despite the virus’ impact on a number of Limestone Coast weddings, it had led couples to opt for more relaxed ceremonies.
“It has become more about the ceremony rather than the after party but it has also provided an opportunity for the wedding party to spend a bit of money on themselves rather than everyone else,” she said.
“Now the numbers are increasing again we are getting more and more inquiries but we also know that couples need to be flexible because we never know what it going to happen from one day to the next.”
She said many couples who had booked celebrants before the virus had decided to postpone due to the circumstances.
Ms Paul said booking venues had also been a difficult task given capacity limitations.
“There are new regulations in place for celebrants such as we need to also keep a copy of the contact sheets venues need to keep,” she said.
“Since the virus we have had some ceremonies and we find the venues are generally very accommodating with both social distancing and hand sanitisation.”
Hoping the wedding industry would soon blossom again, Ms Paul said in the meantime some couples had opted to live stream ceremonies.
“It is lovely for those who cannot attend,” she said.
Among the Limestone Coast businesses to feel the brunt of the wedding season collapse has been South East Marquees Weddings and Events.
Business director Mary-Anne Latchford said 25 weddings had postponed their events which impacted on its service, while a number had also cancelled.
Ms Latchford said the business had also been impacted by cancelled corporate events during the winter months, but remained optimistic about the latter half of 2020.
“Once the wedding season starts we can reassess because if we took a marquee that fits 100 people, they will need twice the size to adhere to social distance,” Ms Latchford said.
