negotiate with overbearing mums and bridesmaids. They give every bride the ability to walk down the aisle with confidence. We cannot lose those skills from our industry. Bridal retailers throughout the country provide one of the most magical moments in any bride’s wedding journey, making their childhood dreams feel like a reality. This is a moment that will be lost forever if bridal retailers are forced to close and move online. We need the certainty that weddings can take place so brides have the confidence to continue with their plans. We need the certainty that there is a road map to allow for larger weddings next year so that new couples will start to plan. We need exhibitions to be allowed so we can choose our stock and wedding fairs to be allowed so we can sell our stock. Until that is possible, we need the financial support that will allow our business to survive. The current situation for weddings is this: The Challenges • Few couples are prepared to go ahead with weddings for such small numbers. • There have been calls from wedding venues to be allowed to operate under the same guidelines as pubs and restaurants, with numbers limited by venue capacity. However, the Business Minister, Paul Skully, has indicated that weddings pose a significant risk of infection, due to theprolonged time that guests spend together and the likelihood of social distancing not being maintained. • Meanwhile, repeated postponements, cancellations and refund requests are putting financial pressure on venues and suppliers who have received very little financial support from government schemes. Couples are concerned that their deposits aren’t safe, leading to more cancellations. • Insurance companies have failed to settle claims for cancelled weddings. Couples wanting to plan during uncertain times are unable to get insurance. • Until larger weddings are permitted and consumer confidence can be addressed, very few couples are prepared to start planning. The Solutions • The industry has been asking for a task force. This would allow for clear communication between the venues and businesses that have the solutions for Covid-secure weddings, and the government. • Wedding venues are committed to finding ways of opening safely with larger numbers, in a way that would involve all suppliers, but need the opportunity to demonstrate that ability. • Weddings have been recognised as events where all those involved would be committed to rapid testing and contact tracing. These could form the basis for other sectors of the events industry. • Pilot events over the winter would give couples the confidence that there is progression towards larger numbers in the spring. • Although there is a clear need for financial support across the industry, a government backed deposit protection scheme, similar to the Film and TV Production Restart Scheme, would give couples and retailers the confidence to plan for the future.
Alison Hargreaves has worked in the wedding industry since 1991. Her experience includes owning a bridal boutique, a wedding cake studio and several high profile wedding media platforms. She is the founder and Managing Director of guidesforbrides.co.uk, prideguide.co.uk and beyondweddings.com
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