My late godmother used to say that she was really happy about the time period in which she was born. It was code for saying she preferred the simpler and traditional way of doing everyday things. She hated Facebook and preferred giving real birthday cards. She preferred the markets any day to the supermarkets and often complained about processed food and snacks.
I found myself saying the same thing in relation to my wedding. I had a really small one with only three guests and as another wedding season approaches I shudder to think of how couples are probably questioning their plans for their big day.
Small weddings aren’t for everyone and understandably so. Many people look forward to festivities to entertain extended family and to embrace religious traditions. As COVID-19 forced us to face our own mortality and ponder our priorities, inevitably it has also influenced weddings; its impact can already be felt in the wedding industry.
According to Bridebook’s 2021 Wedding Report, 65% of couples have had to delay their wedding at least once since the beginning of the pandemic. Trends suggests the new normal that seems to be emerging is the double wedding. Not two couples being married at the same time, but a small ceremony to facilitate COVID restrictions and a larger one when a sense of normalcy returns.
While most brides would traditionally have one bridal outfit, two now seem to be the magic number with one carrying a significantly lower price tag and much simpler design/silhouette
With intermittent lockdowns and the pandemic fracturing livelihoods the extravagance of a mile-long train and sweeping veil is seemingly a distant and unlikely fantasy, just as is gathering 100-plus people for a wedding.
Though the second dress will still carry a heavier price tag, the cost and the urge to go all out still remain in a limbo due to instability COVID has fostered. It is only expected that fast fashion bridals will continue to gain traction. Likewise with the rise of at home events, venue and wedding décor rentals may also experience reduced demand. All of these changes, however temporary they may seem now, adjust our perception of what a wedding should be. So much so that the question is no longer if you want a small or grand wedding but what do the restrictions allow and how much time you are prepared to wait.
My small wedding five years ago would have been good enough for the toughest COVID restrictions, there was comfort and satisfaction with being able to choose. Today, couples’ choices are limited to going with what is allowed now or waiting indefinitely. Once they choose to get married now they have to become comfortable with what is available. The rest will fall into place. If not it will be an early test of priorities and dealing with uncertainty rather than wedded bliss.