The Riverina's wedding industry is again under strain as couples postpone or cancel tying the knot amid COVID-19 restrictions. Still, vendors say businesses are working together to get through the tough times.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Weddings are currently banned under the current public health orders as authorities try to stem the outbreak of COVID-19 in NSW.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, between January and June 2020, there were 37,813 marriages in Australia that were registered by the end of August 2020.
This constitutes a 31.9 per cent decrease compared with the average number of marriages for the same six-month period in the previous five years.
Nick Shepherd from the Wild Vine said while the restrictions have thrown the industry into a bit of chaos, they have managed to reschedule the majority of affected celebrations.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"The hardest thing is that it makes planning very difficult because we just don't know what the future holds," he said.
"The other vendors we work with have been fantastic though, the band, the caterers, just everyone. I think people are just working together because we are all impacted by it."
Mr Shepherd said he feels for the couples who have spent countless hours planning their big day, especially those who had to reschedule last year and might have to do the same again this year.
However, he said there had been beautiful moments as the industry and couples have rallied.
"Like last year, we had a couple of brides share flowers and things to make it work," Mr Shepherd said.
"We have also seen some couples do a smaller intimate ceremony with the plans to have a big party when things are normal."
Mr Shepherd said he does not doubt the "floodgates" for weddings will open when the rules lift.
Wagga Wedding celebrant Chris Longhurst has urged couples not to despair when planning their wedding.
"One little known flexibility within the legislation is the possibility for engaged couples to lodge their notice of intended marriage (NoIM) with their celebrant without locking in their wedding date," he said.
"Your NoIM is valid for 18 months, and after a one month qualifying period, couples can bring their date forward or back as the need arises."
Mr Longhurst said a trend emerging in COVID is that many wedding congregations are becoming smaller.
"This opens up many opportunities to be creative and engaging together, and we will make your day memorable," he said.
"Some people have smaller weddings, some are having an intimate ceremony and then a party the following day, and I think it is great to see such creativity."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters