Predictions from industry experts on how weddings will look after lockdown

We would be in the midst of wedding season right now. From doing final checks over plans with our couples on their plans, caterers checking over final numbers and placing stock orders, DJs finalising playlists with couples, florists checking over event design and order flowers, the list continues. However, the news of Covid-19 at the start of the year shocked us all and has changed things globally in ways we would never have imagined.

We have now been in lockdown for over 2 months and things are very slowly easing, but there is still much uncertainty for the wedding and hospitality industry and what the outlook for weddings will be.

We have spoken to some of our industry colleagues and asked them on their predictions on how weddings will look like post lockdown as well as adaptations they are making as a business to help ensure safety of their team and for guests at events.

Planners perspective

We wanted to start the discussion with talking about what we are doing as a business as well as our predictions on weddings.

Currently as a business we are closely adhering to government guidelines to ensure social distancing rules are implemented and followed. When weddings and events do commence again, we will continue to implement safety measures where possible for our roles at event, to ensure the safety of our couples and their guests.

Our team at events will wear face masks for their protection as well as carry sanitiser on us as a standard.

We both will also be undergoing professional qualifications for in health and safety over the coming months as personal development.

We will work with venues that we have events at to have appropriate sanitation areas and work with venues to make it as safe as possible for the wedding parties.

In terms of predictions our 3 key ones are:

1. Weddings will most definitely be more intimate. Weddings will scale down in terms of size and there will be less ‘big fat Asian weddings’, for a while at least and more ‘intimate, detail-focused weddings’.

2. Even if weddings will be more intimate, weddings will still be very personalised and it will now become more detail-focused than ever before! This means décor and production will play a key role going forward.

3. There will be a bigger emphasis on safety and hygiene from venues to reassure clients the venue is suitable to proceed with weddings taking place. Also, venues may have to adapt their maximum capacities for events going forward to ensure guest safety.

Radhika & Shindy, Owners & Head Planners at Radhika & You

Toastmaster perspective

How do you see weddings and events taking place post lockdown?

1. They are not going to be the same for a while and we may have guidance on how gatherings have to occur.

2. The need for good quality suppliers focusing on health and safety and who adapt to the new regulations will be critical in your consideration of suppliers.

3. Venues may have to adapt capacities and where there was leniency on certain aspects before, this may not be the case moving forward.

4. A host or Toastmaster to relay key messages will be a norm rather than a luxury – we will be seen as the controller with heightened responsibilities in communication.

Arjun, Arjun Desai Toastmaster // www.arjundesai.co.uk

Catering perspective

What adaptations are you making to your services going forward to ensure safety of your team?

1. We will be offering the option for clients to have hand sanitisers on each guest table at events.

2. We will be implementing hand sanitisers for our staff as a standard.

3. All chefs will be wearing masks to protect the environment, food and colleagues.

4. All service staff will be wearing protective gloves moving forward.

How do you see weddings and events taking place post lockdown?

In terms of predictions we are optimistic that once mass gatherings are allowed and we have passed this phase of the virus, we believe that events will return to normal and further safety measures will always remain in place.

Hamna Khan & Sammir Saroya, Greenleaf Catering // www.greenleafservices.com

Photography perspective

What adaptations are you making to your services going forward to ensure safety of your team?

At Eye Jogia, we are making the following business changes to ensure the safety of both our team as well as guests:

– Our team work well together already logistically and can easily adapt to business change, so we have no worry about our team going through any changes we make to ensure safety of them, guests and the way in which we operate at an event.
– We already have strict methods of sanitisation in place for our equipment before events. This is a process we will develop further now, to ensure even more protection of our team members.
– We will ensure our team wear masks and gloves at weddings and events, with of course a little flare to represent our brand, style and standards.
– We will continue to wear formal attire as well.
– Our team will carry sanitisers on them to keep hands as clean as possible.

When it comes to shooting at weddings going forward, some of the changes and suggestions we will advise to our clients are as follows:

– We will direct our couple’s shoot and portraits from a distance to minimise contact where possible and this is something we already do.  We capture our images through feeling and emotion from a distance – this is something we work with our couples prior to their big day.
– We will advise our clients to have smaller group photos at weddings and we suggest this being done by households to minimise close contact.

How do you see weddings and events taking place post lockdown?

Our key predictions for weddings post lo­ckdown are:
– Events could either go in two directions – one being that events are split out across a couple of days and having less guests at each event, or another scenario being that all events will take pla­ce in one day, but with less guests.
– Group photos after weddings will become smaller. There will be less photos consisting of 15- 20 people in them and going forward will mainly consist of households.
– Reception formats may have to adjust going forward and the industry will follow the lead of the hospitality sector and bring those measures into play for wedding receptions.
– Finally, at Eye Jo­gia we are working on an exciting solution to keep distanced family and friends involved at events. Keep a look out on our social media and website for further details soon!

Roshni & Sanjay, Eye Jogia // www.eyejogia.com

Videography perspective

What adaptations are you making to your services going forward to ensure safety of your team?

In terms of changes, currently, we haven’t changed our business model, but once we see some clarity, we will be taking necessary precautions and measures.

How do you see weddings and events taking place post lockdown?

Our predictions for weddings and events post lockdown are:

  1. There is likely to be an increase in garden ceremonies and open air marquess.
  2. Some people will want to get married now and have a bigger celebration once it’s safe to do so.
  3. One thing is for sure that as soon as this nightmare is over, people will start planning with more enthusiasm as there is going to be a greater appreciation for these moments.

Denis, Denee Motion Boutique Films // www.deneemotion.com

Cake designer perspective

What adaptations are you making to your services going forward to ensure safety of your team?

We deal with food so our standards already have to be high, going forward we will have to wear appropriate PPE so everyone is as safe as can be.

We also sometimes wait at events for things like our tables they are hired, we will just wait in another room or our vehicles from now. Obviously if this is not an option it’s just to try and stay smart and alert bearing in mind social distancing.

How do you see weddings and events taking place post lockdown?

In terms of predictions, most weddings have now been pushed back to next year, some will get smaller but I think majority will still want their dream wedding and we’re all here ready and waiting to help make that happen.

Karisha, Creme De La Cakes // www.cremedelacakes.co.uk

Production & DJ perspective

We at ritzy recommend all couples to be patient! For all those that were forced to postpone their wedding due to these unfortunate circumstances now have one of the greatest advantages… more time! Use this time to make your upcoming day ultra-magical. Don’t hold back on the aesthetic and entertainment, but most importantly make it YOUR day and tailor it to YOUR vision! Good Luck and a big futuristic congratulations from Ritzy to all newlyweds to be.

What adaptations are you making to your services going forward to ensure safety of your team?

Now that there is a new threat to health and safety, we know that we as a business have an even bigger responsibility to ensure the well-being of our team and guests. We will hopefully be able to get all staff to undergo a covid-19 check, but wearing gloves, masks and carrying sanitiser will be basic practice. We will ensure government guidelines are strictly adhered to and include these in our training.

Finally, being consciously aware of one’s surroundings is so important right now so we will look at ways to continue having minimal contact with individuals while entertaining. We will have to take each event and separately undergo the relevant checks to work closely with caterers and venue policies. To all working in the industry, these are tough time but use this time to build and strengthen your connections with other suppliers. It never hurts to have more allies.

How do you see weddings and events taking place post lockdown?

It’s hard to see what a post lockdown world will look like. However, one thing for sure is the guest lists will be a fraction smaller for a short time maybe. Which can be a good thing because that just means more space to play around with! That can lead to endless possibilities such as; installing a larger LED screen or placing a longer stage or even fitting a unique shaped dance floor. The list goes on.

Pritpal, Ritzy Productions // www.ritzymusic.co.uk

Floral designer perspective

What adaptations are you making to your services going forward to ensure safety of your team?

Our customers and colleagues are at the heart of everything we do.

We have already adapted and are currently conducting all our customer consultations via phone call or video call. A lot of our events have now been postponed till next year.

We will continue to adapt our business processes – at setup and derig all our staff will be equipped with face masks, hand sanitisers and gloves at all times and will continue to provide exceptional events.

Changes to event setups – we will work with our couples to come up with creative solutions and encourage the use of creative floor plans and floral installations to allow for social distancing.

How do you see weddings and events taking place post lockdown?

We predict that the UK Government will impose limits for guest numbers and therefore this will give rise to more intimate weddings with fewer guest numbers and PPE being provided to guests. With a lot of 2020 of weddings being postponed to 2021 venues will have to start booking weekday weddings to keep up with demand.  More guests around the globe will also be attending the events of their loved ones via weblink. #loveisnotcancelled

Sarita Babber, Lux Occasions Ltd // www.lux-occasions.com

Bar provider perspective

What adaptations are you making to your services going forward to ensure safety of your team?

We have always been very conscious of hygiene, even prior to COVID, however this has definitely highlighted changes. We’re in regular contact with hotels and venues to see ensure our measures work alongside theirs. We always pride ourselves on our service, delivery and operation and are confident we will continue to uphold the very best standard moving forward.

Behind the scenes we have been making significant changes and retraining staff on the new norm. We have created an in-depth training manual which has been given to all the members of our team.

How do you see weddings and events taking place post lockdown?

The amazing thing about the industry we work in, is that love is never cancelled. So fortunately for everyone weddings and events will always continue. However, we will definitely see some changes.

I think everyone will think more about their guestlist and truly invite their nearest and dearest creating more intimate events. With social and physical distancing playing an active role in future events, the guest numbers may be seen to decrease.

Sukh Brar, Azure Bar Events // www.azurebarevents.co.uk

Stationer perspective

How do you see weddings and events taking place post lockdown?

Coronavirus has imposed many changes. Events, celebrations, weddings, baby shower plans have changed, been postponed and new ideas and ways will evolve once we come out of this pandemic. The hospitality and events industry has taken a huge hit during this time, including ourselves. Our situation has changed over the past weeks and will be able to share more later.

As a stationer, I look to many sources for inspiration, from being inspired by nature, florals, fashion, colour, and so much more. I envisage things to pick up quickly and hoping this time has given businesses the time they needed to reflect on processes and how to improve their offerings.

Having been part of the wedding industry for over 3 years now, in all honesty, I feel in the coming months, smaller weddings will have to take place, to keep with the government guidelines. I feel some couples would love to have small intimate weddings with close family friends. But they wouldn’t call it a ‘BIG fat Indian wedding’ if this isn’t how couples wanted to enjoy one of the biggest days of they’re lives with everyone near and far.

From a stationery perspective, all my clients have postponed to next year and I feel next year could be one of our biggest years to date. Whether small or big events, I feel couples still want to celebrate on a big scale. More personalisation from invites, to event stationery to favours and more.

Couples who have had to postpone due to the Coronavirus I believe will have the opportunity to see what is more important to them as families and as a couple, some will cut back on the number of guests they may have and some may take this as an opportunity to wait and for guests near and far to celebrate with them. No matter what our couples decide, we can’t wait to get started on new designs and concepts.

Tayjal Mistry, Mani’s Creative // www.manis-creative.co.uk

Musician perspective

What adaptations are you making to your services going forward to ensure safety of your team?

Instead of pushing for our largest packages for weddings (more drummers), we prefer to keep the number of drummers attending events to a minimum to decrease any risk of catching the virus. We are also advising our team to travel in separate cars to maintain social distancing measures.

How do you see weddings and events taking place post lockdown?

I think that the number of wedding receptions will be cut down, instead bride and grooms will opt for a smaller intimate wedding ceremony at their place of worship with only their nearest and dearest in attendance. This is also a good way to save money as Covid has unfortunately impacted the financial situation of many families. In addition to this, the government may not allow large social gatherings such as weddings and events to take place until the number of Covid cases has dropped significantly, unfortunately this won’t happen overnight and will take some time for the virus’s impact to die down.

Gurkirat, Imperial Drummers // www.imperialdrummers.com

Jewellery designer perspective

What adaptations are you making to your services going forward to ensure safety of your team?

1. We have moved to virtual consultations with our brides and are helping them via WhatsApp and FaceTime.

2.We are hosting online sales instead of physical sales.

How do you see weddings and events taking place post lockdown?

Weddings have just been put on hold, not cancelled. We foresee 2021 to definitely be “The year of weddings” and couples will choose more unusual days (so a lot of week day weddings) and have off-season weddings. A lot of brides and grooms will choose to have intimate weddings in their backyard or garden, which in our opinion, can be truly beautiful, followed by a big fun party once things return back to normal. Couples will also choose to have virtual weddings. We think that more couples will choose to have smaller weddings and we may also see fewer destination weddings. Big or small, destination or not – weddings will still have the same meaning and family and friends will still come together to celebrate like they did before covid-19, in fact, with more love and warmth than ever before.

Smita Ritolia Goenka, Goenka Jewels // www.goenkajewels.co.uk

Bridal makeup artist perspective 

What adaptations are you making to your services going forward to ensure safety of your team?

For hair and makeup artists, having the right grip on our tools and being close to our clients is an essential part of our work so we are currently working on implementing some changes in the way we will be doing our services without compromising on the quality of our work.

Firstly, masks and gloves will be introduced and we will be getting all the artists to trial this to ensure they are still able to do their work as effectively as before.

We will also be minimising the amount of people in one room at a time at bookings and trials.

Furthermore, we will be enhancing our regular hygiene practices and will ensure our studio, hair and makeup kits are deep cleaned and sanitised after each client. Although we always use to wash our hands before a client, now we are also going to make hand sanitisers compulsory and artists will use this before each client.

How do you see weddings and events taking place post lockdown?

The post lockdown period will definitely see a surge in weddings although we think many couple may rethink their decision of smaller vs larger weddings.

We imagine weddings will become much more intimate, although with Asian culture that may be a little difficult!

We also think there won’t be a thing such as “wedding season” and events won’t be limited to weekends only.

Whichever way we all decide to change and adapt to the “new normal” we know that brides will not be wanting to change getting dolled up for their big day and we will be there for them every step of the way!

Ambreen Makeup // www.ambreenmakeup.com

ARE YOU CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING YOUR WEDDING? ARE YOU UNSURE OF HOW TO PROGRESS YOUR PLANS DURING THESE CURRENT TIMES? WHY NOT SCHEDULE IN A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION WITH US. LET’S SEE HOW WE CAN HELP YOU BEST!