Couples don’t mind the extra cost

Even though it means that their Big Day will have to be held under a number of restrictions.

After months in limbo, many engaged couples are willing to fork out extra to comply with government requirements for wedding receptions.

Many delayed tying the knot after large social gatherings were prohibited during the movement control order (MCO) from March 18.

Marketing executive Hannah Lee, 26, who plans to wed in October, said it was a huge relief that there was now some certainty that her wedding could go on.

“We were previously in a quandary over whether we could plan a ceremony, and if so, how many people we could accommodate.

“At least now we have some details, like the maximum number of guests, we can continue planning,” she said.

On Wednesday, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that standard operating procedure (SOP) for social events included capping the number of guests at 250 or fewer, depending on the venue, at any one time.

Guests’ contact details and temperature must also be taken, while food can be served buffet-style provided there are servers to manage the food, rather than guests taking the food themselves.

The duration of social events was also limited to between three and five hours, said Ismail Sabri.

Lee said as the guests’ safety was important, she would not mind forking out extra money to ensure the SOP was observed.

“We will probably have to cut back on other items to ensure we are within our budget,” she said.

She will also be reviewing her invitation list as her original number of guests exceeded 300 people and she is considering providing packed lunches instead of a buffet.

“It’s really hard for us and it is a painful process to trim our guest list because we want friends and family to share our happy day.

“But we are still grateful that we can proceed with the wedding. We may consider doing a simple livestream video for those who cannot make it,” she said.

Content analyst Athira Mohamed, 27, who plans to hold her solemnisation ceremony in August, also does not mind paying extra to comply with the SOP.

“It’s for the best and hopefully the cost wouldn’t be too much,” she said,

Athira is also considering holding her wedding reception at a later date.

She said her family had planned to only invite family members and a few close friends, totalling no more than 100 guests, for the ceremony.

“But my mum would love to raise the number of guests to 250, in order to have more people to celebrate.

“We may hold the reception only when my brother who is working overseas comes home,” she said.