Wagga autumn wedding season in full swing as restrictions ease

Emma White, the owner of Emmylou Wildflowers, said the past few weeks have been "wild".

"I have probably been meeting with two new brides a day for the past four weeks," she said.

"I find a lot of people are just getting married last-minute ... and a lot has been brought forward from last year."

Ms White said some couples have decided to do away with months of planning because they are sick of trying to predict what a COVID-world looks like.

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She added a lot of people want to have a small intimate wedding.

"I also think some people are adjusting their budget and having their wedding on a smaller scale because some people might be feeling insecure with employment after last year," Ms White said.

Wagga Raine and Horne real estate agent Claire Zollinger and her partner have had to postpone their wedding twice since the original date in August 2020.

Ms Zollinger has known her fiance Trevor Henshaw for 10 years, and the couple have been engaged since 2018.

"We had to postpone it to the long weekend in October, and now it's going to be in mid-May," she said.

"The wedding has changed every single time that we have been planning it because originally it was planned like a dream wedding, then it became a COVID-appropriate wedding.

"Now with the restrictions easing, we are leaning back towards the original plans ... by the third time, you learn you have to roll with it, but we are getting married definitely in May."

Ms Zollinger said Wagga wedding vendors had been extremely accommodating in helping to postpone the big day. She added with restrictions easing that she is thrilled to be able to dance on her wedding day.

"We also have family and friends travelling interstate," Ms Zollinger said. "I am excited about it."

Lily Wilson, of Big Springs Homestead, said many of the weddings they had booked last year moved to autumn this year.

She said there was some hesitation from couples to book due to a "COVID hangover", but people were feeling more confident.

"It's exciting to be back in action," she said. "The restrictions have eased and allowed us to get us to capacity, but we just have to have a COVID-safe plan in place."

Ms Wilson said she has noticed some couples preparing for the big day have come with smaller numbers as a precaution.

But, she added, she is proud of how everyone - vendors and couples alike - has handled the impact of the pandemic.

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