Planning events like weddings has gotten more complicated and costly in a COVID-19 world.
Wedding planner Shalini Misir with Thunder Bay’s Maid for the Bride says it’s caused a lot of work they aren’t getting paid for.
“We are spending a lot of time rejigging weddings. Either rescheduling or coming up with variations, maybe a wedding that was planned for 300 people is now down to the maximum [provincial limit] of 50,” she explains.
Like schools and some workplaces, planners have also had to become experts in video-conferencing, so events can include more guests and still obey the provincial limits on gatherings.
Misir adds that many people may not realize that if a couple cancels their wedding, it also costs event planners.
“In our industry, if we can’t have the wedding, then we’re refunding all of the money that we were paid prior to the event,” she says.
She adds it’s hard for the wedding industry to predict what the coming months or next year will bring.
The wedding planner says she would hesitate to book larger events even if the province allows it in the next stage of reopening.
