Their dream wedding can still happen in the not-too-distant future once the govt announces the necessary SOPs for weddings and mass gatherings

by NUR HAZIQAH A MALEK/ pic by AFP

THE wedding industry, like many others, has abruptly stopped with the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18, as gatherings of all sorts have been banned.

In a joint statement by presidents of wedding industry associations, it was noted that couples are not planning for weddings due to the uncertainty surrounding the lifting of the MCO and the government’s future protocols about mass gatherings.

“For the wedding industry to survive and resume post-MCO, we will need to encourage and ensure that couples will continue planning for their weddings.

“Couples will only likely do so when the following can be determined and announced by the government: Its position on mass gatherings, the maximum number of people allowed to gather for wedding celebrations and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that need to be put in place, monitored and adhered to during weddings,” the industry players said the statement.

They also said once the guidelines are announced, the wedding industry will then be able to undertake moves to help guide clients over the wedding celebrations process.

“We will also be able to collaborate among ourselves such as venues vendors to ensure that all SOPs are implemented and adhered to during weddings and start reviving the industry by encouraging couples to start planning for their weddings with a clear direction and making bookings with vendors,” they said.

Currently, the industry is communicating with future brides and grooms.

“Their dream wedding can still happen in the not-too-distant future and the wedding planning process can continue during the MCO.

“Wedding vendors and venues are on hand to assist with their wedding plans, on a virtual basis for now, while offering promotions and special deals which will help couples stretch their wedding budgets,” the statement reads.

In 2018, the Department of Statistics noted that there were 206,253 weddings in the country, which supported the livelihood of many micro entrepreneurs in the wedding industry including wedding planners, photographers and videographers, dress and suit designers, florists and decorators.

Similarly, segments that also make up the ecosystem include the hotel industry, restaurants, event venues, caterers and publishing houses that print wedding magazines and run online wedding portals.

The joint statement was signed by presidents of the Wedding Professionals Association of Malaysia Patrick Low, Association of Wedding Professionals Leticia Hsu, Penang Wedding Professionals Association Low Chin Siang, Malay Wedding and Portrait Photographers Malaysia Rudy Hirwan, and Malaysian Gifts and Premium Association Peh Leong Seng.