COVID-19: BC Couples Get Excited When Weddings Return To Full Capacity To Be Fully Vaccinated

Article content

It’s booking season for British Columbia’s wedding industry, and with capacity limits increasing at venues on Monday, businesses that have struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic are hoping couples will choose to celebrate in style.

Article content

“I think they will be delighted,” said Kristen Olynick, a Vancouver wedding officiant. “We have definitely seen more couples choose to have smaller, more intimate weddings since the pandemic, but I think there are many who still want a larger celebration.”

Last week, the provincial health official, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said that the places where proof of vaccination is required can go from 50 percent to Full capacity unless there are regional restrictions.

The announcement was good news for hundreds of British Columbia businesses, including florists and photographers, who rely on weddings for part of their income.

There have been about 5,000 fewer marriages in BC in 2020 and 2021, the two years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, than in five years earlier, according to the BC Vital Statistics Agency. HelloSafe, a platform that allows people to compare insurance quotes, estimated the BC wedding industry lost $ 158 million in 2020.

Article content

“COVID has had a huge impact on our industry,” said Debbie Fenrick, co-owner of the All Dressed In White bridal show. “Some companies have had to change what they offer and others have closed completely.”

A tan All dressed in white show in Surrey in early October, the couples were cautious, with many planning for 2022, 2023 or even 2024 nuptials. But love can’t wait forever, Fenrick said. “People are still going to get engaged and married, and they agree to find out as they go.”

Olynick, who owns Vancouver arbitration She said that while her job hasn’t suffered due to the nature of her role, it has changed with more couples choosing a small wedding or elopement. As the restrictions are lifted, she thinks some couples who went ahead with their wedding last summer might decide to have a grand reception or after-party.

Article content

“The next four months are usually the reserve season for spring, summer and fall,” he said. “I hope we see a great volume.”

Brides planning a summer wedding generally begin their search for the perfect dress eight to nine months in advance, said Alix Daykin, manager of Love Note Girlfriend in Vancouver. While the clothing store has experienced downturns due to the pandemic, business has been stable through the fall.

Blush Photography Owner Kristy Yiem said it went from “zero to 100” when restrictions were eased in May to allow some outdoor gatherings.

“We were filming weddings every day, not just weekends,” he said. “People are seizing opportunities when they come.”

The loosening of restrictions could also bring back some business during what was once the fall and Christmas “convention season”, florist Vivian Liu said.

Article content

The owner of Arbutus Florist It is ending its wedding season, but will continue to receive reservations during the colder months for next year.

Brad Gorski and his partner Dany don’t want to wait any longer. After postponing their wedding in Puerto Vallarta in March 2020, the Burnaby couple hope to leave in three weeks to have the wedding of their dreams.

“We made new invitations, we got new flights, haircuts … (and) we got ready for wedding clothes,” he said.

While there will be 15 fewer guests than originally planned, Gorski will have 10 family and friends there, while his wife’s family from Mexico will also be in attendance.

“We were able to postpone everything and now we feel very comfortable moving forward,” he said.

Article content

Other couples can do the same. Last week, the dating app Tinder said it had seen a 45 percent increase in mentions of “plus one” in its BIOS since the beginning of the year, according to a press release announcing a new feature to help its members find a wedding date.

Under new guidelines announced last week, sporting events, concerts, movies, weddings, parties and funerals will be able to operate at 100% capacity starting October 25 in locations where proof of vaccination is required. However, the 50 percent change to full capacity will not take place in regions that are under additional COVID-19 restrictions, such as the eastern part of Fraser Health and parts of Interior and Northern Health.

Bridgitte Anderson, executive director of the Greater Vancouver Board of Commerce, said capacity restrictions had a profound impact on the hospitality, tourism and events sector. He said Henry’s announcement was a critical step toward recovery in those sectors.

Henry said the change would coincide with the date that anyone 12 and older will be required to present their BC vaccination card to access most events, services and businesses. People will still need to wear masks indoors.

[email protected]

twitter.com/glendaluymes