Petition: Open the Wedding Industry in line with the Hospitality Industry

Lift Capacity Restrictions on Weddings

The roadmap in NSW for Weddings is inconsistent with Hospitality, Pubs and Clubs and Corporate Events. 

We are requesting the government to lift the 50 capacity ruling on Weddings in line with Hospitality at a 1/4sqm rule, and provide a fair roadmap for Couples to plan their big day. 

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 9 years. We have over 1.6 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

50 attendees at a Wedding does not open up the Wedding industry, over 80% of Couples will not proceed with their Wedding until this restriction in numbers is eased. 

Businesses and Consumers understand the need for restrictions during this pandemic, however, the implications of this low capacity number, and uncertainty is driving apprehension in a market that is all about forward bookings 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 50-500+ 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. The short-term and long-term implications on this market are exponential.

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.

The figures

120,000 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

Businesses have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in income as a result of lockdown and restrictions over the past 18 months. Restricting numbers at Weddings has a flow on effect to the entire Wedding, Event, Fashion, and Beauty market- as less numbers equals less business. Survival in this market requires confidence * see financial impact for consumers and businesses here-  https://weddedwonderland.com/the-financial-impact-of-covid-restrictions-on-weddings-we-have-the-figures/  

Why this petition is valid

The Hospitality Industry will reopen at a 1/4sqm rule- and yet, the Wedding Industry is once again being left behind. This is not consistent, and does not make sense for an industry that has the safest practices in gatherings.

COVID struck this industry fast, the current government bans and restrictions on Weddings have made it nearly impossible for Couples to get Wedded.. 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. Couples and Businesses have been suffering for 18 months now.

The biggest Issue

Couples who have engaged with businesses and booked in their Weddings for higher numbers are now restricted and having to negotiate refunds and the like- which is a lose lose scenario for all.

There have been devastating effects to Couples, some putting IVF treatments on hold, others unable to move into their homes paying mortgages and rent, after postponing their Weddings time and time again. Couples are being affected financially, emotionally and mentally by these restrictions.

Industry abilities

Weddings are hosted in controlled environments that have the following advantages over hospitality, pubs and clubs:

1. Guests are known to the hosts
2. Venues clean entire spaces between functions from napery, linen, cutlery, crockery, flooring, bathrooms and otherwise
3. The menu and food service have been altered to comply with COVID safe practices
4. Safety measures like sanitisation stations, temperature checklist and keeping guests details, already implemented at other venues, are also working at Weddings

Additional request 

In conjunction with our request to re-introduce the ¼ sqm ruling for Weddings in line with Hospitality, we are requesting PCR and/ or Antigen testing at all Wedding Venues to assist with Covid19 management. This will alleviate huge pressure on both Businesses and Couples in proceeding with their Weddings. This is a right of passage where many simply cannot move forward without the necessary support and precautions. 

We are asking the NSW government to reflect upon their decision making for this industry and protect the right of Couples to get Wedded.

#saveourweddings