At minimum we are requesting:

Mingling, an increase in guest numbers across all states with restrictions.

NSW- allowance of guests to dance 

VIC- a roadmap for 2021 Weddings to future proof bookings for over 50 guests

Who We Are

Wedded Wonderland is Australia's most popular online Wedding Marketplace servicing both Couples and the Industry in products, events, inspiration and education on their journey of love for the past 8 years. We have over 1.5 million followers across our Social and Digital Platforms. 

We have passionately been driving the #saveourweddings campaign since March 2020, requesting a roadmap to future proof Weddings and the Industry. 

Who Is Impacted

Businesses and Consumers understand the need for restrictions during this pandemic, however, the implications of uncertainty are driving apprehension in a market that is meant to be about celebrating LOVE and PLANNING.

Suppliers are currently unable or unwilling to postpone dates without a service fee, this means complete exposure to an unknown date, issues with the consumer who has 10-500+ guests they need to consider in the process, plus another 20-30 Service Providers who all need to be AVAILABLE on the next chosen date. 

For businesses, this means a staggering loss of income and potentially losing whatever bookings they currently have.

For the couple, a potential loss of Service Providers (due to availability or otherwise), a potential loss of monies exchanged for a set date, and this again stems across multiple industries and categories that work within the Wedding industry.

112, 000 Couples Marry annually in Australia

The value of the Wedding Industry is 4 billion dollars +

The average spend on a Wedding is $62,579 with 178 number on average of attendees

The following subsets work within this industry and have been significantly impacted:

50,000 Direct Wedding Businesses
Beauty Industry
Retail and Fashion Industries
Entertainment Industry
Hospitality Industry
Tourism and Travel Industries

Why This Petition is Valid

COVID struck this industry fast, the current government BANS and RESTRICTIONS on the celebratory components of a Wedding have made it nearly impossible for Couples to proceed with over 85% postponing or canceling, and now going through the 3rd round of postponements. This industry is largely run by private businesses, micro-entrepreneurs who have had little support, information and insight on how to manage during this time - from litigation to cancellation, change of date and minimal new bookings, a once-thriving marketplace is being driven to further demise by State Governments who continue to remain silent, sceptical and inconsistent on this market.

The BIGGEST ISSUE

It takes on average 14 months to plan a Wedding, this is a long shelf-life market. Couples have no certainty in postponing their Wedding and what the restrictions may look like in the next few months. Businesses have a minimal pipeline in future bookings and cannot assure Couples due to little insight on WHAT'S NEXT? With no time to plan, there will be NO PLANNING. A timeline is critical NOW to save this Industry and Couples from further financial, emotional and mental stress and loss. 

INDUSTRY ABILITIES

The industry has been complying with all COVID-Safe practices, and can provide the following;

• The guests are known to the hosts

• Requests made prior to attendance for unwell guests to not attend

• Venues clean entire spaces between functions from napery, linen, cutlery, crockery, flooring, bathrooms and otherwise

• The menu and food service have been altered to comply with COVID safe practices

Safety measures like sanitisation stations, temperature checklist, and keeping guests details, already implemented at other venues, are also working at Weddings.

The Final Request 

1. Allowance to dance at a Wedding. 
2. Guest mingling.
3. A roadmap.
 

Businesses need;

1. SUPPORT in the form of an official subsidy for the Private Event Market.
2. A Roadmap.