Coronavirus strikes: Weddings, honeymoon plans go for a toss

The corona pandemic hasn’t spared anyone. After cancellation of largescale events and even showbiz shootings, it’s now the weddings that are being either postponed or cancelled. While the travel and hotel industry seem to be the most affected, the wedding industry, too, has been reeling under it.

Several weddings have been either postponed or cancelled following the advisory of social distancing during Covid-19 outbreak. “I had to cancel a destination wedding at Samode Palace in Jaipur, which was to take place on March 20-21. A lot of guests were coming from America, and due to the travel ban, we had to push the wedding,” says Kaveri Vij, a wedding planner.

In cases where people don’t have the heart to call off the wedding, the planners are cutting down the guest list. “Not everyone can postpone or cancel a wedding. It’s not easy. In one of the April weddings that we are organising, the client isn’t keen to postpone even after some of the guests have themselves said, in the RSVP, that they are either scared to attend or unable to travel due to the ban. So, we cut down the guest list,” says wedding planner Kuljeet Kahlon, adding, “This does seem to have a financial impact as well. But then the industry is filled with nice people. For instance, hotels understand if there’s a cut in certain number of plates and adjust in the bill.”

Sangha Mallick, a corporate professional, who got married last week, says, “Initially, I didn’t take it seriously. I flew from Delhi to my home town Kolkata, and even shopped day and night. But now, looking at the situation, I’m even scared to step out of the house. Forget honeymoon, we aren’t even going to restaurants! In fact, we had booked a honeymoon package to Switzerland, but ab toh Shimla jana bhi theek nahi hai.”

Priyansh Arora, an entrepreneur, who also got married recently rues his cancelled honeymoon. “Because of this scenario, I’ve faced a loss of ₹1.5 lakh! I had booked my honeymoon package for Dubai, four months ago, and was elated to have cracked a nice deal; but ab to shaadi hi ho gayi wohi badi baat hai,” says Arora.

Experts, however, worry that if the infection isn’t curbed soon, the industry will face a blow. “June-July is the peak time for us. So, if the pandemic continues till then, the industry is headed for trouble,” says wedding planner Shweta Acharya.

I had to cancel a wedding at Samode Palace, Jaipur (March 20-21). A majority of the guests were from America, and due to the travel ban we had to push the wedding. KAVERI VIJ

WEDDING PLANNER