2021 second half is shaping up to be the year of wedding comeback. After a slump of a year in 2020 and the first half of 2021 focused on the accelerated vaccination drive from four corners of the world, it’s not just the bride and the groom but the entire wedding creative partners team from photographers to cake designers, to hotels and tourism boards and florists; everyone is ready to party like never before. DWP Insider asked these talented industry professionals for their insight into this year’s wedding trends and got some insightful details about how the map of 2021 weddings is going to look like!
The sentiment described by Eran Klein, Lighting Designer, Cochavi&Klein, Israel sums up the wedding industry sentiment in a nutshell – “People want to be normal again. Humans want to connect, be happy, dance, feel alive, feel a part of something bigger. We need to be more sensitive, have smaller events at the beginning, more exclusive, more precise, and full of art!”
“Since the first days of the pandemic, my view was that it was time for the industry to huddle, regroup and act together in solidarity putting aside petty competitiveness. Yes, the pandemic will probably encourage the survival of the fittest but being the fittest will be mostly about flexibility, adaptability and healthy mindsets. We need to ensure that we protect our human capital and flourish by tapping new business potential in unchartered territories.” Adds Elie Azar, Founder & Owner, ParAzar Productions from Lebanon.
“COVID will just have to be something we learn to live with. The vaccine will improve things, for sure. And I think the wedding industry will thrive in the long run. The way we’ve all managed this situation has shown some incredible creativity throughout the industry especially when it’s come to home-grown events and online connecting. We’ll take the best of what we’ve learned and add this to the years’ worth of experience of what we’ve always done so well. Adds Ella Robinson, Business Developer & Client Liaison, Après Ski Bands, France.
Creative Partners
As we move forward, smaller weddings will likely be the norm for another year or two. Embrace the hybrid model — with select guests attending in-person and the remainder joining the wedding virtually.
Smaller Weddings: The Survey reveals that between 10-20 was the average guest list of couples tying the knot in 2020. Shedding a light on this trend Elie Azar, Owner, ParAzar Productions from Lebanon explains:
“COVID has proven to be an even bigger challenge than most of us expected and it has managed to repeatedly take down any measures that allowed partial recovery. I believe that we will face long-term ripple effects from the pandemic even after vaccinations become more widespread. For this reason, smaller weddings in more exquisite settings are the way for couples to go. They offer better control of the event’s parameters, better budget control, and a more personalized human touch, something which has been missing over the past several months.
Roger A-Smith, GM/Founder, Music-A, Lebanon believes that the growth will be gradual and advises us to create supreme micro wedding experiences. “There are certain suppliers that won’t be affected by the post-COVID timing and will flourish since they were used to adaptation during normal times (my criteria is the change between a standard of 100-300 wedding industry – and transition to micro weddings), big companies will suffer and struggle either by not adapting and losing market share or the market will be saturated within the target of big weddings.”
Echoing similar sentiments Melissa McGowan, Owner, Flowers by Cina from USA says “Weddings of 100 people or less will begin to happen late summer/early fall with safety protocols in place.”
Keeping everybody’s safety in mind, Rob Blancaflor, President, Robert Blancaflor & Groups Inc, Philippines further adds “We need to understand better the customer needs post-COVID, so we can provide the right services. We also need to practice safe events and put customers’ safety above all as the Covid stigma won’t be eliminated instantly.”
Picture Courtesy: @emiliobphotography
Bounce Back Stronger: 92% of Creative Suppliers and venue partners believe that they see the global wedding industry emerging better in the future. For many couples who had scaled-down, virtual ceremonies, this year is all about the second celebration — an in-person reception with family and friends.
“Our job is from a luxury market, and we need to value it as it is. We were the first generation of the wedding industry to go through a pandemic and we always need to pay our bills. It’s not the time to decrease, it’s the time to rise and get better.” Encourages Marta Vieira, Photographer, Portugal.
“I feel that we will see a major surge in larger weddings being booked and held some of which have been on the back burner. By continuing to stay positive while marketing to brides and grooms and to be prepared to accept whatever challenges we may face, we shall overcome this together.” Suggests Gloria Rabon, Owner/Photographer, Magnifique Portrait, USA.
“I think it’s just a matter of time. Yes, the industry has been badly affected but am sure it will bounce back. May take a bit more time than expected.” Further adds Yogesh Gajwani, Founder, YS Design Studio, India.
“Recovery will be slow but it will happen, I also think the wedding guest numbers will generally stay low given that clients are starting to realize that small weddings are not that bad after all, then I also think that there will be so many weddings post-COVID as so many people have postponed their weddings till the pandemic wears out or till vaccinations have generally increased in number or have been made readily available.” Shares Shamim Mago, Owner, Icandy Uganda Ltd.
“We will recover, there will be a lot more factors and logistics to consider for destination weddings, but I think people will still want them.” Points Fehintola Bolodeoku, Owner, MonAnnie, UK.
Carolina Serafini, an Italy-based photographer sums it up beautifully when she says – “It will be a new Renaissance.”
Tourism Boards
Picture Courtesy: @sebastian.weindel
Spain is known for its exotic appeal and coupled with Spanish “fiestas” it is one of the top wedding destinations to tie the knot.
Marta from Turisme de Barcelona, Spain explains the current situation of celebrations. “Social gatherings are limited to a maximum of six people (household groups) from two household bubbles. Regarding weddings, they have a 30% capacity limit with a maximum of 1,000 people, as long as there are sufficient ventilation and access is controlled, otherwise, the capacity remains at a maximum of 500 people. However, there are other measures to take into account as safety distances between tables and a maximum of 4 people per table, etc. (the measures are re-evaluated every 15 days approximately, based on the results).
There will continue to be needs and demand for wedding events post-covid. Safety protocols and measures, access to vaccines, vaccination passport against Covid-19, etc. will be essential to permit wedding events internationally. It is important to be able to convey optimism and safety in our destination, starting with small events before big events could be done, and recovering air connectivity between countries through sanitary digital passports or vaccines.”
Juana Ortiz Basso from Los Cabos Tourism Board, Mexico sheds a light on the situation in Los Cabos, Mexico. Currently, it is open for tourists and there is no quarantine period and you can hold a wedding up to 200 pax.
Guendalina Rampazzi from Switzerland Tourism shed a light on the situation in Switzerland. Currently, you can gather up to 15 pax for gathering along with Safety Protocols & SOPs put in place by the organizer.
Hotels
Pictures Courtesy: janawilliamsphotos_
Following the unprecedented events of 2020, Hoteliers & Tourism Boards are bracing for the long road to recovery in 2021. In the last year, Tourism Boards and hotels have worked together to uplift the market sentiments by innovating new concepts and reworking existing areas to accommodate the market changes. The results indicate some crucial points towards the sentiments of Luxury Wedding Hotels & Tourism Boards and how are they embracing the spirit of 2021 weddings.
65% of hotels said that they have already restarted hosting weddings at their property. “2020 was a big loss with no events, but since 2021 we are receiving both inquiries and events. So that is great! People or coming out from this pandemic,” tells Baskar, Event & MICE Manager, Park Hyatt, Zanzibar.
“I am very positive and I think the wedding industry will rise stronger than ever, as soon as events will be allowed once again and borders will be open, couples will not hesitate to plan their weddings in Italy. Implementing sales activities will be crucial, the industry has been still for such a long time, so creating new contacts and meeting people once again to generate new business will be more than ever necessary.” Shares Claudia La Greca, Sales & Banqueting Manager, Capri Palace, Italy.
45% of respondents confirm that they have 20-40 weddings in the pipeline at their venue for 2021. This is a good start following a stressful year. “People will travel, weddings will not have many attendees, the number will be reduced to 50 -80 guests. Lots of elopements and romance experiences will take place. Be flexible and a lot more focus on the real needs.” Adds Erika Almaraz. Regional Weddings Sr. Manager, Palladium Hotel Group, Mexico.
Mourcely Lucie, Sales Manager, Hôtel du Palais, France predicts for 2021 “Smaller events but same budget (slightly bigger I would say). Our business will also depend on the vaccination policies in our country to get in. Offering an experience rather than a presentation.”
“I am sure it will eventually recover, all of this depends upon the vaccination processes and all countries being on the same page. As it always did. People always get married, always want to celebrate this event, and always in a certain grandeur,” adds Veronica Pinna, Director of Sales, Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden, Austria.
It’s all based on personalization, where the guest is given choice over almost every aspect of their hotel experience. Evelyn Nguyen Van, Head of Sales Groups & Events, Zaya Nurai Island, UAE shares “The moment vaccination is completed successfully, the borders will open and there will be a huge demand for events with various budgets. Community & Communication – We have to keep sharing our thoughts, updates and new options that arise within the industry.”
Emma Pope, Director of Lifestyle Events from Emaar Hospitality, UAE further adds “We are hopeful that the demand will result in fair share / fair price for all venues and hotels.”
With the blended environment we are living in, the hybrid model will rule 2021. “Hybrid will continue. Couples will still spend. Brides will evolve more and endeavor to be more creative to make up for virtual guests. Provide timely trend information/survey.” Points Claire del Rosario-Bernabe, Director of Sales & Marketing – Resorts, Discovery Shores Boracay, Club Paradise Palawan, Philippines.
PCR Tests and Safety protocols have become the need of the hour. Four Seasons Resorts Bali & Grace Bay Resorts tells Safety Protocols & SOPs put in place by the destination where the event is held and by the organizer will play a key role in the successful operations of events.
“Tests pre-wedding within 3 days by all guests should be the only requirement.” Tells Daphne Reckert, Manager, SCI Chateau de Lésigny, France.
“I think that this industry will take a long time to recover, but when it does it will boom. At this stage, we should push for smaller weddings for destination weddings. That way, people will feel more comfortable to come abroad,” adds Sharron Masouras, Wedding Manager, Exclusive Yacht Weddings Ltd, Cyprus.
“It will be very gradual, with a limited gauge, and no dance floor allowed. It will take months to come back to a certain level of normality. By being super strict on sanitary procedures, and reassure our clients that all is done for their safety.” Reiterates Geraldine Mostachfi, Founder and Manager, Chateau Gassies, France.
Let’s Complete The Circle
If 2020 has taught us anything, it is to adjust and be understanding that we are living out of the norm. Expect the second half of 2021 to be a bumper year for weddings, thanks to postponed dates from this year. And with new trends coming up, we are about to witness the biggest shift in the industry with more focus on intimacy and love like never before. After all, love is all the matters, and of course lots of details!
Feature Image Credit: @jorgemaciasphoto
